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.

In an attempt to find the first American to play in the AFL, the Collingwood Football Club will hold open tryouts in early April in conjunction with USAFL powerhouse the Denver Bulldogs. The Collingwood Magpies, one of Australia's oldest, largest and most successful clubs, are actively searching for young men with athletic abilities to possibly draft from the USA.

The first USAFL game to be televised is eagerly awaited amongst the US footy fraternity. Initial details are just starting to come out. It seems that the first match to go to air will be the East-West All Star game to be held in Texas on April 30th 2005.

In a potentially major blow to spreading the game in the United States, FOX Sports World will not cover the AFL in 2005 or beyond, as it becomes FOX Soccer Channel. The Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA) report that the change should not affect coverage in Canada, and they are hopeful that the AFL can secure a deal with another US network.

In what is believed to be a first for Aussie Rules football in the US a British team, the Reading Kangaroos, are to play the Atlanta Kookaburras in Atlanta on April 9th 2005 for the Atlanta International Footy Challenge Cup.

Unfortunately the annual Arizona AFL Metro Footy World Invitational has had to be cancelled for 2005, with issues relating to field availability. But the good news for US footballers is that a new tournament has been announced - the Wild West Shootout, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Confirmed starters are the Mojave Greens and Tucson Javelinas. The following is a press release from the organisers.