AFL in Switzerland

[HotSausage69]

Can we people that are living in Switzerland petition to get an AFL game here next season? It's about time the AFL investigated the Swiss market as an expansion opportunity. I reckon, and I say as this a purely neutral spectator that happens to like watching Port Adelaide, that they should certainly be in the discussion for the marquee game next season, should it be organised. They could travel to China first and play the game there, and then cut the journey in half and fly on to Switzerland for a 2 week mega tour. then maybe give them a 2 or 3 week bye to freshen up and get cracking in to the second half of the year.

 

[TWLS]

Can we people that are living in Switzerland petition to get an AFL game here next season? It's about time the AFL investigated the Swiss market as an expansion opportunity. I reckon, and I say as this a purely neutral spectator that happens to like watching Port Adelaide, that they should certainly be in the discussion for the marquee game next season, should it be organised. They could travel to China first and play the game there, and then cut the journey in half and fly on to Switzerland for a 2 week mega tour. then maybe give them a 2 or 3 week bye to freshen up and get cracking in to the second half of the year.

From 1990 to 2012 the AFL held post season exhibition matches at The Oval in London.
That is the closest geographical location to mainland Europe they have achieved and currently it appears do not have any plans to go back.
This may not be the answer you want but hang in there.

Change of topic.
Since 2012 the game has expanded under the preferred AFL International model of organic growth overseas under the wing of London based AFL Europe who have 20 countries affiliated according to the website. It appears that some countries have dropped off.
Looking at AFL Europe itself it has expanded its staff and board in recent times.

 

[RedV3x]

From 1990 to 2012 the AFL held post season exhibition matches at The Oval in London.

These matches in England and North America were underwritten by beer companies and wouldn't have been staged otherwise.
Even though there were some decent crowds (in Canada) exhibition games don't seem to have produced much lasting effects.
IMO exhibition games are the least cost effective measure and should only be used in conjunction with other moves.

That is the closest geographical location to mainland Europe they have achieved

For the AFL. Croatia was stymied in it;s effort to have it's own oval whilst Aalborg has achieved great facilities.
The CNFA has used high profile rugby grounds and there are grounds in Europe that could hold a full AFL match if required.

 

[TWLS]

These matches in England and North America were underwritten by beer companies and wouldn't have been staged otherwise.
Even though there were some decent crowds (in Canada) exhibition games don't seem to have produced much lasting effects.
IMO exhibition games are the least cost effective measure and should only be used in conjunction with other moves.



For the AFL. Croatia was stymied in it;s effort to have it's own oval whilst Aalborg has achieved great facilities.
The CNFA has used high profile rugby grounds and there are grounds in Europe that could hold a full AFL match if required.

The writer was talking about the AFL itself (AFL House) who he was asking to come to Switzerland.
They however do not have the intent to so far to repeat any Exhibition Matches which are a waste of time without establishment of grassroots programs in each particular country.
As you have pointed out the grassroots conditions are much more favourable in Europe than they have ever been.

Change of topic but related to historical footy overseas.
The Oxford v Cambridge University Aussie Rules footy matches began in the 1900`s and continue today.
The VFL/ANFC/AFL never once attempted to expand this fixture in all of those years despite having Aussie Students on the ground in England.
That fixture remained in the confines of the Universities, and ironically the ANFC Delegates proposed the fixture in the first place. Go figure.
I could go on and on about the lost opportunities the Governing Body has had to grow Internationally over the years but most fans do not want to know.

 

[RedV3x]

The writer was talking about the AFL itself

And I was pointing out that Australian Football ovals existed in Europe.

Relevent facts about Switzerland. Population 8.4 million.
It has cricket clubs and ovals ( without stands) but the largest oval is an athlelics oval at 15,800 capacity - Stade Olympique de la Pontaise.
If you were serious you'd hold a match nextdoor in Italy with it's large population and multiple athletic stadia.