Aussie Rules continues its steady growth in the United States. The heavily populated state of Florida has budding players spread across it, including Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Apollo Beach, Orlando, Ocala and Naples. After a formative year in the SEAFL, the players will again come together as the Florida Redbacks to play in the inaugural Eastern AFL season.

The Golden Gate AFL, based around San Fransisco / Santa Cruz, and the AFL Queensland, have entered into a sister-league relationship, much like sister-club alliances have been formed before. AFLQ continue to be a trendsetter in promoting Australian Rules football around the world. They already do a lot of work with AFL PNG and have assisted in other areas too. The reason could just be local contacts. Another explanation for their enthusiasm might be the appreciation they have for developing the game in a region where it isn't the dominant sport. It would be great to hear if other Australian leagues have similar arrangements. The following information is direct from the GGAFL site.

The long awaited FOXFooty documentary about the 2004 US Nationals in Atlanta is due to go to air in Australia on Wednesday night, the 30th March. Tiffany Cherry interviewed players and officials, and parts of games were taped. For those that have the FOXFooty channel, the 30 minute program air times are listed below.

The Wild West Shootout, 9-a-side Aussie Rules tournament to be held in Las Vegas in April now has eight teams signed up, ensuring with a viable tournament.

As happens every few years, as the best formula for footy in the United States is sought, some of the major leagues have undergone a significant restructure for 2005, with the emergence of the Eastern AFL.

Chicago has long been one of the stronger bases for Australian Rules Football in the USA. At times the growth of numbers there has been very encouraging, but as with many sports, politics can get in the road. A split emerged and a common way forward was not established. But in the past year there has been a convergence of ideas.

It looks likely that a deal will be done soon to get the 2005 AFL season back on North American TV screens. FOX appeared to have dropped it altogether, but negotiations are said to be nearing completion that will give the coverage a stay of execution. The following report is courtesy of AFANA.

With the much-discussed ASTN television deal slowly taking form, metro leagues kicking off around the United States, leagues forming reforming in new shapes and sizes and the US Revolution and Canadian Northwind planning for their assault on the International Cup, 2005 could be a big year for footy in North America.

WFN takes a look at some of the major developments.

In a match showcasing one of the most heavily modified forms of footy seen to date, the San Diego Lions defeated the Orange County Bombers in a curtain-raiser to the LA Avengers match at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, on February 20th. The game was a big hit with fans and the Bombers have been invited back for more displays at Avengers games in future.

Continuing a series of Aussie Rules exhibition matches at US pro sports events, the Orange County Bombers will take on the San Diego Lions in an experimental exhibition match on February 20 during the halftime break of a Los Angeles Avengers (Arena Football League) match.