The under 17s match between Canada and the USA is yet another historic first for the Ironbank International Challenge weekend of footy in Vancouver. It will be the first junior representative team that Canada has put on the park, and probably for the US too (with the possible exception of the Barassi Youth Tournament several years ago). The young men will line up for a full contact international game of Aussie Rules. We have a look at where the players come from and how the organisers see the game in the greater scheme of developing footy in North America. Of course being the first such match there will be issues to be sorted - the US are a bit short on numbers so some of the Canadian kids face the prospect of lining up for the "enemy" - not an easy thing for a coach to explain. Still, it will be a great step forward for the game in North America and will hopefully demonstrate the value of investing in junior development. Just the very occurrence of the match on the same card as the men's and women's matches should be food for thought for the wider AFL Canada and USAFL communities.

This weekend sees an incredible list of firsts as Australian Football in North American shows further signs of maturity. Besides Canada and the United States men's squads again doing battle for the 49th Parallel Cup (and playing a further exhibition match the following day), the two day event will feature the debut of the two countries' national womens and juniors squads. The tournament is being staged as part of the annual BC Footy Cup in Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), and will include a visit from Japan's Tsunami squad joining in with the Victoria Lions (Can) in the club competition featuring Seattle (US) combined with Portland (US), Vancouver (Can), Burnaby (Can) and Alberta (Can). We talk to the Northwind coach and review their team's matches leading up to the event, as well as speak with the Nippon AFL's Andy Carne. The tournament will take place at UBC's 3,500 seat Thunderbird Stadium, perhaps the premier venue for Aussie Rules in North America. Article by Chris Adams and Brett Northey, and updated with US Revolution (men's) squad

The first ever match by the Canadian and United States women's Australian Football teams takes place on Saturday 4th August 2007 in Vancouver. Is this the first international match, country versus country, of women's Australian Football - let us know if you can think of any others? If it is, there would be some historic symmetry - the first ever men's international cricket match is reported to have been between Canada and the US, in 1844, despite neither being amongst the leading cricket nations today. The respective coaches of the Canada and US women's footy teams gave us a preview of their sides before the historic match.

Big Sav Rocca is interviewed on Philadelphia Eagles TV as he finishes his first three days of training camp. Rocca has been in full-time training for the punting job at Philadelphia for the last 5 months and is hoping that his stronger leg is going to win him the position over veteran Dirk Johnson. Although Sav is now bidding for a spot in the United States' NFL, his background as an Aussie Rules star can only help raise the profile of the sport in America - as evidenced by Sav's interview which extensively discusses his career.

Go to www.philadelphiaeagles.com to watch the interview - at time of writing simply click on the video image at top right.

In an effort to continue to develop its ties with the Australian football community, USFooty has introduced an Australian Ambassador program with five initial ambassadors - former Hawthorn champion, Robert "Dipper" DiPierdomenico, businessmen and former Hawthorn President, Ian Dicker, former South Fremantle player and current USFooty Nationals Commentator, Rod "Grilla" Grljusich, Brownlow Medalist and former Brisbane Lions star, Michael Voss, and mangement consultant and current AFL Commissioner, Colin Carter. According to USFooty, "the mission of the USAFL Ambassador program is to promote the interests of the USAFL and the growth of Australian Football in the US. The USFooty Ambassador program is comprised of individuals who have a high profile who will help promote the USAFL in Australia and America and have the capacity to assist the USAFL board in a number of different arenas." The Ambassador Program rolls out hot on the heels of USFooty's Australian Advisory Board. USFooty's Paul O'Keeffe says the Ambassador program is meant to compliment the Advisory Board by creating a network of Australians in the football and business community who are interested in helping to develop footy in the US.

San Diego Lions (1) is hosting Golden Gate Roos (4) in a game that San Diego is strong favorites but would have interesting implications for the Top 10 if the Roos were able to win. This is only the second game for the Roos after they hosted and beat the OC Bombers (6) a few weeks ago. San Diego is coming off a convincing win at the Western Regional Tournament with victories over the OC Bombers and the Denver Bulldogs (2).

Denver is heading to Minnesota this weekend for a tourney against the Milwaukee Bombers (8) and the Minnesota Freeze. It should be a very interesting weekend as this will be one of the few opportunities for us to see a Western club vs an Eastern club prior to Nationals.

In the Eastern Australian Football League, the New York Magpies (3) host the Philadelphia Hawks and must be very strong favorites to keep their winning record alive.

USFooty today announced on their website that the 2008 National Championships will be held at Colorado Springs in Colorado. At the foot of the Rocky Mountains and just an hour south of Denver, Colorado Springs Cadet Athletic Fields boasts enough space for 4-5 footy ovals. The fields can be seen on Google Maps here.

In the past there has been some criticism of the late announcements of the Nationals venues but for 2008 that will not be an issue. Clubs will have plenty of time to prepare their trips and funding for their trip to Colorado.

The following is the announcement from the USFooty Site:

In the spirit of further developing their professionalism and forward planning for USFooty, the USAFL Board are proud to announce the site for the 2008 Nationals. Following months of extensive research and close negotiations, the USAFL Board and National Championships Organizing Committee are proud to officially release the venue for 2008 as Colorado Springs.

The Championships will be held at the Cadet Athletic Fields of the United States Air Force academy in Colorado Springs. The final date will be announced following the release of the Air Force Football schedule in March/April 2008, though as in past years it will be held in early-mid October.

As well as the magnificent grounds and facilities of the Air Force Academy, the Colorado Springs area (one hour south of Denver) offers great night life and with over 50 major area attractions, including the breathtaking Rocky Mountains which form the continental divide, there are limitless possibilities for a great vacation.

Our thanks to Rich Mann and Tom Ellis who have done a terrific job of securing the Air Force Academy for the 2008 Nationals. Thanks and recognition must also go to Tom Osborne of the Colorado Springs Sports Commission, Terry Sullivan of the Convention Bureau and Dr Hans Mueh, Athletic Director of the Air Force Academy.