In what could be a first for secondary schools in the Northern Hemisphere, two schools in Canada have fielded Australian Rules sides. The Etobicoke Kangaroos Australian Football Club (from the Ontario AFL) has conducted three weeks of training, finishing with an inter-schools match, between St Clement and Bishops Strachan. The following is from Greg Everett (Head Coach of the Canadian National men's side, the Northwind).

The Arizona AFL have launched their new season and their new look website. The league is a trailblazer in the USAFL, with almost all players being American. Due to the weather in this western US state, they also play most of their season when much of the rest of the country is getting ready for the harsh winter months.

The Pratt Industries 2004 US Nationals have been run and won (see earlier stories), with Denver, Arizona and Cincinnati/Pittsburgh winning their respective divisions. worldfootynews.com have some photos from the tournament.

The Denver Bulldogs have again taken out the top division of the USAFL Nationals, the most prestigious event in US Australian Rules football. Other winners were Arizona and a combined Cincinnati/Pittsburgh side.

The results are in for the first day of the 2004 US Nationals, being held in Atlanta, Georgia. Reigning back-to-back champions Denver are again dominating Division 1, but there have been a few surprise results across the grades.

In possibly one of the most dramatic developments in the history of Australian Rules football, the United States AFL has reportedly signed a three year contract with the new All Sports Television Network. If this deal reaches its potential, the major US leagues could be fast-tracked to the first semi-professional Aussie Rules leagues outside of Australia.

Australian football has grown strongly in the US in the last 10 years. A large part of that success has been due to Australians who live and work there. Many ultimately return home, but the contribution need not stop there. These former players and administrators are an increasingly large resource that could be tapped. As such, a new group has been created to keep these returned Australians (and expat Americans) in touch, for their own social benefit and the cause of American Aussie Rules. The following article is from the US Footy website. And just a reminder that this weekend is the US Nationals - the biggest Aussie Rules event in North America (see earlier stories, or check back soon for updates).

The Toronto Downtown Dingos have knocked off minor premiers the Toronto Eagles in the 2004 OAFL Grand Final, giving them back-to-back premierships, just the third Ontario club to achieve it. Thanks to Bruce Parker in helping compile this report.

The General Manager of Game Development at the AFL, David Matthews, will attend the Pratt Industries 2004 USAFL National Championships.

For international leagues, getting exposure in their own country is not their only short term goal. They also seek coverage in Australia, as that can have many benefits, such as greater awareness in Australia of international footy, which will ultimately lead to the International Cup becoming a more prestigious event. Recently Canadian Aussie Rules was featured on Australian Channel 9's Today show.