Exported: the code from Down Under

[dj21]

Article from realfooty.com.au:

By Tom Nevin
Johannesburg
March 16 2003

An arid patch of veldt on the edge of the Kalahari Desert could be the breeding ground for the AFL's future superstars.

After nearly two years of introducing the game and recruiting players, Australian rules has been accepted by a South African provincial Government to be developed by its academy of sport.

And it was from Mafikeng, capital of North-West Province, that Footy South Africa was introduced last week to take charge of the code in this country.

Chief mover of the project is Brian Dixon, former Melbourne champion and a former Victoria minister of sport. Mr Dixon said his mission to South Africa last week was on behalf of the AFL to get footy officially off the ground in this land of rugby and soccer.

Funded by North-West Province, the AFL and betting company Tattersall's, Footy SA makes South Africa the 10th country to establish a structured AFL program.

The South African program is being run by Melburnian Gary Learmonth, an AFL volunteer whose mission is to establish the game in Africa through SCORE (Sports Coaches Out Reach), an international body dedicated to furthering different sports worldwide.

"The mission right now is to get the game established in South Africa, rather than look for superstars, although they will appear as the game grows here," said Mr Learmonth.

"We're also building up the number of footy coaches and umpires. The girls are really keen.

"They don't play because of the hard contact nature of the game, but they're making terrific umpires."

Footy SA now has two fully-fledged clubs and four associates, with a combined membership of around 250 players.

 

[Richoagain]

Jeez, we are all eager to spread news aren't we!

I must have beat you by about half a second

 

[dj21]

Things look good for footy in South Africa with around 250 players from the one province. And i assume alot of them would be juniors which is even better.

 

[dj21]

"Jeez, we are all eager to spread news aren't we!

I must have beat you by about half a second " - Richo

i was going to write at the top of mine that i was suprised richo hadn't already posted it given that you seem to be two steps ahead of everyone else. Maybe next time i'll beat you to the punch.

 

[Richoagain]

The South Africans all looked very young at the International Cup - I don't think there would have been a single guy over 20 in the team. Which I suppose is probably a good thing!

And the most amazingly enthusiastic players too, even when they were getting hammered. Huge amount of passion. Apparently they're all from about a dozen dirt-poor black communities and it was the first time they'd played on grass (or with shoes).

We could make it a contest dj.... or are we only reporting news to a dozen people who would have found it anyway?

 

[Ms.Storm]

These kids really love their sports and its a pity they can't get some funding for proper shoes, equipment, etc.


I love to see kids playing different sports.....it all adds to the skills in whatever they end up playing, i.e. union, soccer, rules, league or whatever..or even athletics.

 

[Ms.Storm]

These kids really love their sports and its a pity they can't get some funding from the government.


I love to see kids playing different sports.....it all adds to the skills in whatever they end up playing, i.e. union, soccer, rules, league or whatever..or even athletics.

 

[USFootyFan]

Originally posted by Richoagain

And the most amazingly enthusiastic players too, even when they were getting hammered.

One of my favorite memories from teh International cup was watching the Kiwis doing their haka for the first time as they faced South Africa. All the South Africans standing in line facing the Kiwis with their arms on one anothers shoulders with the biggest smiles on their face. Not a one of them was taller than any of the kiwis. In fact I think the midget New Zealand had on their team would have been average height for South Africa. Anywayand at the conclusion of the Kiwis haka rather than just clap or turn to one another to get themselves psyched up for the game they let out the biggest round of applause.

It was hilarious, here are these huge kiwis some well over 6' and looking as intimidating as possible, and the Southys weren't teh least bit intimidated, I think they truly appreciated the performance. And then during the game the Southys never backed down. Not an inch, they kept running and running. Taking one big bump after the next, and never gave in. Their only problem was their lack of skill, and hopefully by 2005 they'll have made some huge strides.

Next, of course, to the Seppos, the Southys were my favorite team.

 

[Luc]

I loved the SA warmup routine when they came on to the ground at the Western Oval.

A kind of high-kicking, singing conga line.