VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

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VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Thursday, November 01 2007 @ 01:40 pm ACDT
Contributed by: Michael Christiansen
Views: 5,450

In some exciting news for raising the profile of International Footy at a 'grass roots' level in Melbourne, the AFL has invited VAFA clubs to 'host' International Cup teams during the period of the 2008 International Cup. The VAFA has forwarded to club secretaries an invitation to become involved. The 'hosting' is envisaged to include sharing ideas, perhaps running a training session and a social function. On behalf of my club (Syndal Tally Ho), we will be seeking further information on this topic, and would love to establish a 'formal' link with an international competition or club.

I have previously indicated that it might be appropriate to create a forum by which individuals might come to Australia a little early, and train or play on permit at local clubs in preparation for the IC2008. This new development may help to facilitate this as well.

One might hope that this process might allow local VAFA clubs to gain extra local press publicity about their roles, and the International Cup.

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VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Anonymous (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, November 01 2007 @ 06:38 pm ACDT

I would have thought that if the AFL was fair dinkum about growing the game overseas they the guys would train with AFL/VFL clubs.

Really the AFL should be doing more to help, instead of relying on dedicated and passionate expats to grow the game overseas.

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Thursday, November 01 2007 @ 07:36 pm ACDT

They've had AFL clubs hosting teams in the past, but some people have argued that they should build bridges with grass-roots clubs as well - the players, officials and fans at these clubs will often have a better understanding of the style of game played and challenges faced by international leagues. Ideally a mixture would probably be best - each country allocated 1 AFL club and 1 local VAFA club. Given the number of countries likely to come and the number of AFL clubs in Melbourne, it would probably be 1 or 2 countries for each AFL club. So I'll be interested to hear more details before I judge this one.

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Aaron Richard
on Thursday, November 01 2007 @ 09:42 pm ACDT

1. The clubs in the AFL do take an interest, and previously they have hosted
overseas teams and players. For the record, we do get contacted by
AFL clubs looking to get more involved and asking for ideas.
2. The bonus with VAFA clubs is that overases players can actually come over to
Australia and get a kick in regular weekend footy for the brother club. Generally
they wouldn't have this option at an AFL club!

---
Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Thursday, November 01 2007 @ 11:58 pm ACDT

Which isn't to say we don't think they can take an even greater interest. There's been a general upswing in attention in the past few years, but we certainly want to see the curve keep rising.

I expect Melbourne FC will work very closely with China if they come. And the clubs should be fighting over Ireland, just to get a good word in with the locals back in Ireland. I think Collingwood had them last time. The Pies and Carlton should be interested in South Africa given their taking on provinces over there.

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: John Enright
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 02:56 am ACDT

yeah - Collingwood were our host club for the last tournament!! Apart from one training session in the lexus center after the semi finals were played they had nothing to do with us!

We had more support from Sydney and Tadhg Kennelly who got us tickets for two swans games, and actually came down to watch us play !

I'd imagine that the clubs would be take more of an interest and probably do more for the International teams!

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John Enright
http://www.arfli.com

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John Enright
http://www.arfli.com

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Sean Finlayson
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 07:38 am ACDT

Personally I think this is a fantastic idea and shows that the AFL are starting to think outside the square.

At this early stage of development, the people who should be most excited about the IC would be amateur players in Australia.

Professional sport fans just won't get it until it is played at a reasonable standard.

There is also something to be said for the players seeing just how deep footy goes in Australia. If they aren't up to AFL level, there is still a chance that they could still make it at one of the lower tiers of footy.

The VAFA is absolutely replete with players of multicultural backgrounds. It would be a huge buzz for some of these players to know that footy is being played where their origins are. The Elgar Park Dragons were to play host to a Vietnamese or Chinese side for example.

Besides, if you market the IC to the VAFA, you have literally thousands of amateur players to promote it to and once players at that level see the potential of the game overseas, they may well become involved themselves in initiatives such as the Convicts, playing or getting involved overseas.

---
John Enright
http://www.arfli.com

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 08:30 am ACDT

I'm certainly hoping that even if my club doesn't have the opportunity to host a team, that we can at least encourage a couple of guys to Melb perhaps a month out to train and perhaps play. The AFL clubs certainly can't, especially in late August, be expected to divert too many resources down this path.

Hopefully, clubs getting more involved at this level have a local 'marketing' opportunity - via local press and potential sponsorship. And perhaps an extra leg up to approach councils for support given the 'international' dimension. Surely VAFA host clubs might be able to attract some ex-AFL stars along to the odd function, will the AFL have 'roving ambassadors'?? The VAFA host clubs might even be able to form 'cheer squads' and ensure that competing teams national flags are seen a little more.

Certianly as well, the up shot is to encourage greater awareness of the volunteer efforts overseas in growing the game - rather than people assuming the AFL are 'wasting' money overseas when they could be propping up Melbourne clubs. (I will declare that I AM a long time Roos member).

After all, Melbourne is only the spiritual centre of one sporting universe.

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John Enright
http://www.arfli.com

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 03:14 pm ACDT

Regarding what Dingo said about Collingwood, yeah I had heard that before. Hopefully with Marty Clarke there now they might be a bit more aware of opportunities and just generally more involved. Or failing that, Carlton now have 3 Irish players at the club, so you'd have to think they might be interested.

Importantly it's nice to see these issues being discussed 10 months out, rather than a last minute scramble.

---
Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

VAFA clubs invited to host International Cup teams

Authored by: Ash Nugent
on Friday, November 02 2007 @ 07:50 pm ACDT

Through the VAFA and other local leagues you have the ability to reach a lot of people involved with the game at a grassroots level and I believe these are the people most likely to turn up to International Cup games. Hopefully this also means the AFL will consider using more suburban grounds.

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

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