2017 International Footy Coverage

[TWLS]

There is an article in todays Australian Paper edition talking about Fox Sports proceeding with their 2015 committment to the AFL to go global with AFL MATCHES.
Readers will recall Rupert Murdoch himself outlined this coverage at the signing of the 2015 2.5 Billion TV deal which commenced in January this year.

App aims at AFL’s global fan base
BY DARREN Davidson
SPORTS RIGHTS
"The AFL will continue to go global in 2017 after teaming up with Fox Sports to live stream matches around the world."

The main article online is behind a Pay Wall.
Here are some key points.
The AFL will team up with Fox Sports to "LIVE STREAM" 9 matches weekly Globally.

Paid for App - Watch AFL - will offer expats and a emerging generation of fans the games plus AFL360 and Bounce.

Fox Sports in Australia from 2018 will sell the International TV Rights. (THIS IS A BIG CHANGE)

Fox Sports estimate that there are about 800,00 AFL Fans living abroad plus business and Holiday travellers.

To help promote this APP the 18 AFL Clubs Websites and all Global News Corp Division Websites will get involved.
Very interesting news indeed that finally a Professional outfit is now doing the promoting.

 

[TWLS]

Here is another article from the AFL with more details on this service.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-...m=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed:+AFL+Latest+News

 

[RedV3x]

Very interesting news indeed that finally a Professional outfit is now doing the promoting.

It seems revenue-raising based rather than promotional based.
Even a revenue-based system is OK if they allocate those funds to overseas development
otherwise you're just catering to the converted.

 

[TWLS]

It seems revenue-raising based rather than promotional based.
Even a revenue-based system is OK if they allocate those funds to overseas development
otherwise you're just catering to the converted.

The showing of our game Internationally on any medium is promoting it.
The AFL London Womens bosses are very pleased it is available on TV and with this APP to show their new recruits for their new expanded 2017 8 team comp, which is up from 4 last year.
Those new to the game players there are not converted -Yet.
IMHO overseas development is a seperate issue, which may have a change now Mr Richard Goyder (Ex Wesfarmers) takes over the AFL Commission on April 2. Have never been a fan of Mike Fitzpatrick in that role. Was almost invisible at times, and looked awkward in the media.

 

[RedV3x]

IMHO overseas development is a seperate

IMO they are indelibly linked.
Having fans and players able to watch AR is good.
Having more people watch AR is better to create new fans and players.
Having a source of income to develop AR O/S is imperative.

Organic growth isn't going to cut it.

 

[TWLS]

IMO they are indelibly linked.
Having fans and players able to watch AR is good.
Having more people watch AR is better to create new fans and players.
Having a source of income to develop AR O/S is imperative.

Organic growth isn't going to cut it.

"Organic" is the word AFL House uses to describe International Footy growth. End of.

Here is an idea out of left field - Perhaps Richard Goyder (Ex Wesfarmers Group) could use his influence to persuade Bunnings in the UK to Sponsor some activities in the AFL world over there.

Mr Grant Williams at AFL House thinks everything is fine overseas development wise.
The AFL’s head of community and international development Grant Williams said he expects the 2017 IC carnival to be the biggest yet.

“The popularity of Australian football overseas continues to grow with more players and fans taking up and supporting our game,” he said.

 

[RedV3x]

“The popularity of Australian football overseas continues to grow with more players and fans taking up and supporting our game,” he said.

A true statement which gives us all a warm glow but nothing else.

The AFL’s head of community and international development Grant Williams said he expects the 2017 IC carnival to be the biggest yet.

Another true statement which is totally misleading.
I'll ask you a question. How many people watch the AFL I.C. that are not associated in some way with the event ?

 

[TWLS]

"Organic" is the word AFL House uses to describe International Footy growth. End of.

Here is an idea out of left field - Perhaps Richard Goyder (Ex Wesfarmers Group) could use his influence to persuade Bunnings in the UK to Sponsor some activities in the AFL world over there.

Mr Grant Williams at AFL House thinks everything is fine overseas development wise.
The AFL’s head of community and international development Grant Williams said he expects the 2017 IC carnival to be the biggest yet.

“The popularity of Australian football overseas continues to grow with more players and fans taking up and supporting our game,” he said.

Well Mr Goyder has spoken about his new role - He intends to focus on Community Football in AUSTRALIA, and intends to support Mike Fitzpatricks ideas.
He is right about one thing - The AFL will have lot of money to play with in the next 5 years. So here hoping more of it finds its way Internationally in the future.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-...chairman-richard-goyder-flags-community-focus

 

[RedV3x]

Well Mr Goyder has spoken about his new role

Not details, but the implication that he will will have focus on Australian grassroots football.

There is absolutely no mention of how any money would be spent overseas.
Any ideas ?
How popular is the AFL I.C. with Australians ?

 

[TWLS]

Not details, but the implication that he will will have focus on Australian grassroots football.

There is absolutely no mention of how any money would be spent overseas.
Any ideas ?
How popular is the AFL I.C. with Australians ?

Most AFL fans know the game is now overseas, but the care factor is not high.
The IC17 really resonates in Country Victoria where matches are hosted by the various Country Leagues.
The AFL had more offers to host Country matches this year than previously.

This is how much money as listed below the League will have to allocate this time. We can only hope more of it than previously finds its way to the International game.
"The latest TV broadcast deal – to run from 2017-22 – netted the AFL $2.51 billion. The new deal, worth $418m per year, represents a 67 per cent increase on the previous agreement."

 

[RedV3x]

Most AFL fans know the game is now overseas,

And that's all - no details.

the care factor is not high.

Because the approach has been totally wrong.
The country games have shown what can be done. i.e. take the games where there is some interest.
The AFLW has shown the attendances and ratings that can be achieved. i.e. create some interest.

It is pointless hoping the AFL will allocate funds add hoc. There needs to be a direct or allocated income stream.
There are many volunteers leveraging great results through education. Demand now outstrips supply.
This is the most cost effective way of boosting Australian Football and you're not even talking the cost of rookie.

 

[TWLS]

And that's all - no details.



Because the approach has been totally wrong.
The country games have shown what can be done. i.e. take the games where there is some interest.
The AFLW has shown the attendances and ratings that can be achieved. i.e. create some interest.

It is pointless hoping the AFL will allocate funds add hoc. There needs to be a direct or allocated income stream.
There are many volunteers leveraging great results through education. Demand now outstrips supply.
This is the most cost effective way of boosting Australian Football and you're not even talking the cost of rookie.

If AFL fans do not know International Footy exists now they must have been living under a rock ha ha.
Compared to the year 2000 when I would say there would have been only a vague awareness.
You are correct that properly targeted streaming of funds is the way to go, extracted from AFL Trust Funds for example, or the setting up of a fully seperate International body.


Some more background on the new WA based Commission boss -Richard Goyder.
Yes he is from a grassroots Footy background. Played Juniors in Tambellup in Country WA, then moved to Perth and Played WA Amateurs.

 

[RedV3x]

Compared to the year 2000 when I would say there would have been only a vague awareness.

There still is only a vague awareness.
Ask any Australian during the I.C. what teams are playing or where the games are being played, then they'd have no idea. They have no idea that USA Vs Canada is a fierce derby, that PNG has the talent, Ireland has the strength, that NZ has the resources. that the RSA is the rising star or that Nauru is the number one Australian Football playing country per head of population.

 

[TWLS]

There still is only a vague awareness.
Ask any Australian during the I.C. what teams are playing or where the games are being played, then they'd have no idea. They have no idea that USA Vs Canada is a fierce derby, that PNG has the talent, Ireland has the strength, that NZ has the resources. that the RSA is the rising star or that Nauru is the number one Australian Football playing country per head of population.

Bit of a mystery surrounds AFL South Africa ATM
Their website under construction for several months, and their Twitter and Facebook last updated in March 2015.
However refer to the post we did on the South Africa thread on Nov 26 2016 when the Australian High Commissioner to South Africa visited their HQ at the Sennes Cricket Ground. The photos showed the usual AFL South Africa staff there.
Are they coming to IC17?
Now here is a country that has huge potential, Access to cricket grounds, Lots of people to recruit from, Only Soccer as a rival, Rugby is a less rival, Aussie Dollar goes a looong way, and so on.

 

[RedV3x]

Now here is a country that has huge potential.

Potential is so over-used, but in the case of the RSA they actually made significant progress because it was a joint venture. I don't know what the situation is in the RSA. There website was always lacking. I do have have this underlying fear that the AFL has dropped off the pace because no RSA player has been drafted.

The RSA is a good example where the AFL should be subcontracting. The "potential" is in the WAFL being involved in the development of the RSA. The "potential" in the I.C. is in Australia being involved in the way that country Victoria is involved. The AFL instead of helping the WAFL, is inhibiting international games that are a lead-up to the I.C.

 

[TWLS]

Potential is so over-used, but in the case of the RSA they actually made significant progress because it was a joint venture. I don't know what the situation is in the RSA. There website was always lacking. I do have have this underlying fear that the AFL has dropped off the pace because no RSA player has been drafted.

The RSA is a good example where the AFL should be subcontracting. The "potential" is in the WAFL being involved in the development of the RSA. The "potential" in the I.C. is in Australia being involved in the way that country Victoria is involved. The AFL instead of helping the WAFL, is inhibiting international games that are a lead-up to the I.C.

The WAFC is in no position to help anybody. With the change from Domain to Burswood later this year, all the financials are up in the air to a degree. Barnett the Premier wearing his Accountant Hat gave the management of Burswood to an east coast coy (Sydney), who have no affinity to Perth. The other bidders had WA content with Australia wide experience which he disregarded.
The annual distribution of 7/8 million from the Eagles and Dockers Clubs to to WA footy (WAFC and WAFL) is still not settled with the new Stadium management.
Everybody is confident the deals will be done - Eventually.

We believe the AFL is still supporting AFL South Africa financially. To what degree who knows - I rate AFL House on the same level as The Kremlin sometimes.
For example we used to get a individual breakdown of each Countrys participation figures. They now provide a sum figure of 100,000 or so which will include Auskick type programs. What is their problem. Dont get me started -Ha Ha.

 

[RedV3x]

The WAFC is in no position to help anybody.

Could have saved yourself a rant if had interpreted "subcontracting" as the AFL paying the WAFL for some involvement.

 

[TWLS]

The 2016 AFL Annual Report is online, and it now consists of 81 pages.
There is a expanded International section on Page 53.
Some items --
Participation -130,000 across all markets (Would include Auskick programs in several countries not nominated)
A modified version -AFL Express on a rectangular ground with fewer participants was trialled in Melb.
AFL PNG introduced a new Admin Board to push Junior footy.
Lots of other items including Auskick introduced into Malta.
In the Financials there was 5 million allocation to unspecified new markets. Would this be International or domestic?
Link to report.
http://www.afl.com.au/afl-hq/annual-reports

 

[jatz14]

http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-styl...ka-plays-sport-many-americans-heard-not-timid

 

[TWLS]

We extracted this line from the 2017 AFL Media statement just released on the AFL Website.

International Digital Rights revenue via the AFL’s partner Brave Bison (formerly Rightster International) grew by more than 20 per cent

It was the only item that was "International" but never the less shows growth over the previous period, which is encouraging, but as always may have been off a low base. We still hear the phrase " Never heard of the sport" from International newcomers to the game.
Would be to good to see breakdown Country by Country but of course those figures will be "Confidential" for Commercial reasons.

 

[RedV3x]

International Digital Rights revenue via the AFL’s partner Brave Bison (formerly Rightster International) grew by more than 20 per cent

It was the only item that was "International" but never the less shows growth over the previous period, which is encouraging, but as always may have been off a low base. We still hear the phrase " Never heard of the sport" from International newcomers to the game.

As you state only the AFL are privy to media data so we can only surmise.
People having been asking/suggesting for a long time "why doesn't the AFL give content away to grow the game".
IMO it appears that the AFL are preaching to the converted and are not generating significant new demand.
IMO demand is growing through "organic" growth and this organic growth is responsible for the bulk of the 20% digital growth.
IMO AFL overseas needs a consistent and reliable revenue stream and oversea digital rights could be one of those.
IMO oversea digital rights could leverage greater oversea digital rights and fund some developments as well.
Imagine if a proportion of oversea digital rights was to fund the streaming of the 2017 AFL International Cup.
There would be an instantaneous demand for that streaming instead of the add-hoc arrangements that
we will probably again see at Melbourne 2017.

 

[jatz14]

As you state only the AFL are privy to media data so we can only surmise.
People having been asking/suggesting for a long time "why doesn't the AFL give content away to grow the game".
IMO it appears that the AFL are preaching to the converted and are not generating significant new demand.
IMO demand is growing through "organic" growth and this organic growth is responsible for the bulk of the 20% digital growth.
IMO AFL overseas needs a consistent and reliable revenue stream and oversea digital rights could be one of those.
IMO oversea digital rights could leverage greater oversea digital rights and fund some developments as well.
Imagine if a proportion of oversea digital rights was to fund the streaming of the 2017 AFL International Cup.
There would be an instantaneous demand for that streaming instead of the add-hoc arrangements that
we will probably again see at Melbourne 2017.

The demand would come from the really small community of overseas footy participants, and would be another case of preaching to the converted.

I still think it should be done, but its contribution to the growth of the game overseas would be about zero.

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk

 

[RedV3x]

The demand would come from the really small community of overseas footy participants,.

Actually the community of overseas footy participants is quite significant.
However the percentage of participants in a position to pay the current fee is quite small.

another case of preaching to the converted.

How is that ? Nobody has discussed how a windfall would be spent.

I still think it should be done, but its contribution to the growth of the game overseas would be about zero.

There are some simply amazing outcomes achieved with very limited resources by volunteers.
I'm talking school programs here. Many programs are limited simply by the number of educators.
That certainly is the case in Vancouver and London.
In Calgary they are educating the teachers to run footy programs.
You don't have to be a math's expert to realize the potential leverage gained by small investments.
Just streaming the I.C. games would garner a lot of interest back home.

 

[jatz14]

Actually the community of overseas footy participants is quite significant.
However the percentage of participants in a position to pay the current fee is quite small.



How is that ? Nobody has discussed how a windfall would be spent.



There are some simply amazing outcomes achieved with very limited resources by volunteers.
I'm talking school programs here. Many programs are limited simply by the number of educators.
That certainly is the case in Vancouver and London.
In Calgary they are educating the teachers to run footy programs.
You don't have to be a math's expert to realize the potential leverage gained by small investments.
Just streaming the I.C. games would garner a lot of interest back home.

The community of overseas footy participants is to small to call miniscule. The number of participants in the entire world outside Australia (pop 7 billion) is less than the number in WA ( pop 2.7 mill).

As for how the windfall should be spent, I am not sure what you mean. WAWFL games are streamed, VFLW games are streamed. Streaming is easy and cheap, it doesn't require a windfall. We were talking about the spread of AFL overseas. In order to bother to stream the international cup, you need to know about it, which means you need to know about AFL. Streaming the IC17 as a marketing exercise for the international game is an exercise with no value.

It should be streamed, but because it deserves to be streamed, not because it will help grow the game overseas (it will not).


Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk

 

[RedV3x]

The community of overseas footy participants is

about 120,000 according to last figures.
That is significant as a playing base.

As for how the windfall should be spent, I am not sure what you mean. WAWFL games are streamed, VFLW games are streamed. Streaming is easy and cheap, it doesn't require a windfall. We were talking about the spread of AFL overseas.

So, you understand that bit.

In order to bother to stream the international cup, you need to know about it, which means you need to know about AFL.

And the I.C. is already streamed in part. Add it to your list.

Streaming the IC17 as a marketing exercise for the international game is an exercise with no value.

You don't seem to have much grasp of cost/benefit analysis.
The benefits can be seen in the organisational side of things like when AFL Europe was created.
The benefit of one provider over the current add-hoc arrangement is significant.
Overseas interests can watch multiple games at ease not just their local feed.
The more exposure football receives overseas then the greater the chance to attract newbies.
Domestically and internationally, an official feed could be promoted with a simple link.

Currently overseas, w.r.t. to the pricing arrangement AFL subscriptions are held by a few people who commonly share the coverage at their local club. The AFL needs to look at it's pricing policy as to achieve the optimum pricing. IMO you could get higher nett returns by lowering the price.
Back to the I.C.. if the AFL actively promoted I.C. streaming as an added extra that would be a significant boost to football overseas generally.

The attraction of international football doesn't have to be stated.
An integrated professional coverage allows overseas clubs to promote their involvement.