Footy in China

Remove this Banner Ad

jatz14

Brownlow Medallist
Dec 13, 2011
11,370
16,077
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Perth Glory W-League
Well that is another way of looking at it.
I have been following International Footy from afar since 2000 and any growth occurring I am happy to report it, and I did express some cynicism about the China figure being released.
With these sorts of figures, trends are more important, that and understanding 90% of the people 'introduced' to AFL (at least), will never play a club game, or watch a game.

Like on like trends are informative however.

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
With these sorts of figures, trends are more important, that and understanding 90% of the people 'introduced' to AFL (at least), will never play a club game, or watch a game.

Like on like trends are informative however.

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk
Totally agree about the trends in the figures released - Most of the figures released contained info already known.
However one trend to watch will be Asia - It will be mostly driven by China and India where the grassroots stuff is just starting to get a base.
What I like is the increasing spread of countries compared to 10 years ago and although some of the figures are low just to have a presence is no mean feat.
 

RedV3x

It's about time some mods started being fair
Dec 14, 2015
5,063
1,586
It's about time some mods started being fair
AFL Club
Fremantle
With these sorts of figures, trends are more important, that and understanding 90% of the people 'introduced' to AFL (at least), will never play a club game, or watch a game.

Most people introduced to Australian Football do play Australian Football.
Historically people introduced to Australian Football in short programs few seem to appear in later statistics.
Those programs are being fine tuned and now school competitions are the result.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

RedV3x

It's about time some mods started being fair
Dec 14, 2015
5,063
1,586
It's about time some mods started being fair
AFL Club
Fremantle
However one trend to watch will be Asia - It will be mostly driven by China and India where the grassroots stuff is just starting to get a base.
What I like is the increasing spread of countries compared to 10 years ago and although some of the figures are low just to have a presence is no mean feat.

Actually Pakistan has outperformed India proportionally though that is a bit problematical.
AFL Asia is now advancing as clubs bring more locals into the game.
The biggest and effective trend by far is the introduction of Australian Football into the educational systems.
The creation of school and university leagues is a quick and effective way to leverage growth.
It started in Britain, blossomed in Canada and is being used in the Pacific.
 

jatz14

Brownlow Medallist
Dec 13, 2011
11,370
16,077
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Perth Glory W-League
Most people introduced to Australian Football do play Australian Football.
Historically people introduced to Australian Football in short programs few seem to appear in later statistics.
Those programs are being fine tuned and now school competitions are the result.
That depends on circumstances and the introduction. The NZ school program has a really low uptake. Firstly, there are few junior club teams to go to, secondly, their parents know nothing about the sport and can effectively kill of any intention of taking it further pretty quickly.

If you are talking adults, looking for something to do, being introduced to footy at a club they can join if they wish, then yes, uptake is high.

If you are talking a program for young kids, whose families know nothing about footy, and where visibility of the sport outside the program is really low, then no, uptake is infinitesimal.


Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk
 

RedV3x

It's about time some mods started being fair
Dec 14, 2015
5,063
1,586
It's about time some mods started being fair
AFL Club
Fremantle
That depends on circumstances and the introduction.

Yes and NZ is past tense, hence the use of the qualifier "historical".
Most people introduced to Australian Football now do play Australian Football.
Even historically the R.S.A. produced new community competitions.
Even historically N.Z. produced some new school competitions and probably produced a crowd for the AFL games.
School programs in the Britain, Canada and the Pacific are producing significant results.
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
The upcoming AFL match in Shanghai on June 2 which will feature AFL Port Adelaide and AFL St Kilda is gathering momentum.
This match will be the third involving Port up there and is a key part of their push to get our game entrenched particularly in the school sectors in some Provinces.
The school participation figures for 2018 for China are listed above under 2018 International Participation, and commenced with a nil base in early 2016.
It now appears that the AFL is more comfortable with the project going into its third fixture having previously extended its support/partnership for another 3 years.
The AFL push is headed by Kylie Rogers who is quite bullish about it all.
They would be happy that a Victorian Club has now signed up to take the series forward with Port, and also the Victorian State Govt has now got on board which confirms the close ties between the Pollies and the Footy heirarchy.

Full credit must be given to Port who came up with the idea we think to travel up there and get involved, despite many sceptics saying -Ah it will never work!.
Another angle on this is the growing participation in the event by AFL Asia, which leverages the game quite well by conducting matches on that weekend featuring locals only in matches.
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
The article below from the Port Power website dated March 30 talks about the current Federal Govt getting on board with the club and the AFL to cross promote the Shanghai Match for the period 2019 -2020 - 2021.
With an upcoming Federal Election on May 18 and the outcome not known can we assume if the current Opposition takes Govt they will continue with the deal - Very likely we would say.

https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/n...nments-threeyear-commitment-to-shanghai-game-

Since the above article further news has been released that the matches are now locked in for 2019-2020-2021 by the two AFL clubs (Port and Saints) and AFL House.
This is excellent news for our game in general up there and heaps of events can be built around the fixtures over the 3 year period.
We do not have the profile up there as per Basketball, Soccer Football etc so anything to try and penetrate that huge market is welcome.
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
It has officially happened - The AFL is opening an office in Shanghai in the near future which will have a staff of two.
According to the article below they will explore Commercial opportunities such as TV promotions etc.
Decoded--- The two guys will be locals and will try to earn some money for AFL House.

It mentions a grassroots footy presence of 21 schools (Through the AFL Port Power Footy for schools program.)

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-05-21/afl-set-to-open-office-in-china

In another piece we spotted that AFL funded offices are in NZ, South Africa, England, and the USA which indicates that some moneys are being allocated.
We believe at least one of the staff is funded in these offices.
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
Gil has his say on the AFL Office in Shanghai which has to kept seperate in the minds eye from the grassroots AFL Port Power Schools Program in other Provinces, and the Chinese Leagues featuring locals which exist under the wing of AFL Asia.
Those particular Leagues will likely provide players for The China Reds National Team coming for IC2020 in Melbourne.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-05-22/afls-big-risk-in-china-starting-to-pay-off-gill
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
AFL Asia has up and running their Annual Rising Star Awards for local players.
Chinese players are prominent in the awards, which are a great idea, and looking at the backgrounds of the recipients it is encouraging to see the pathways laid out by AFL Asia slowly coming to fruition.

https://www.afl-asia.com/2019-afl-asia-rising-star-awards/

AFL House is advertising for the first time for a full time Development person in Asia to liase with AFL Asia.
This is a major step forward and we can only ponder if the footy development up there has encouraged this move, and we can only ask the question is there a new International vibe happening at AFL House.

https://www.afl-asia.com/afl-to-support-new-asia-development-manager-position/

After the Port Adelaide v St Kilda match on Sunday in Shanghai there will be another game straight after.
This match will feature Asia v China and all the players will be locals, giving a glimpse of the current standard up there, and has been held twice before and a decent rivalry has sprung up.

https://www.afl-asia.com/asias-best-talent-on-the-big-stage/
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
Keeping the focus on the Shanghai match - A couple of articles covering the Saints.
Alan Richardson the Saints Coach is interviewed at Melbourne Airport.

https://www.saints.com.au/video/2019-05-30/rd-11-richo-previews-port-adelaide

Unusual Saints training to accilimatise for the Shanghai heat.

https://www.saints.com.au/news/2019-05-30/saints-heat-up-for-shanghai

In other news - The Saints have attracted new match day partners for the game, one of which is Woodside a big Australian Oil and Gas company.
With the entry of a Victorian Club into the fixture the interest level has risen a bit it would seem, plus the added factor of Companies trying to get into China for Trade.
 
Last edited:

RedV3x

It's about time some mods started being fair
Dec 14, 2015
5,063
1,586
It's about time some mods started being fair
AFL Club
Fremantle
The Saints have attracted new match day partners for the game, one of which is Woodside a big Australian Oil and Gas company.

A big West Australian Oil and Gas company.

With the entry of a Victorian Club into the fixture the interest level has risen a bit it would seem, plus the added factor of Companies trying to get into China for Trade.

More a case of the latter. Victoria might produce airline interest like with Melbourne AFC.
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
A big West Australian Oil and Gas company.



More a case of the latter. Victoria might produce airline interest like with Melbourne AFC.

Yes you are right about Woodside however as this forum is International based they likely would not know any difference.
What do you think about the China strategy overall.

I personally think India is a better bet long term for political, sporting, cultural, english language reasons.
 

RedV3x

It's about time some mods started being fair
Dec 14, 2015
5,063
1,586
It's about time some mods started being fair
AFL Club
Fremantle
What do you think about the China strategy overall.

Sometimes I am left with question as to the AFL's approach when it comes to follow through and
the AFL's attempt in China illistrates my point.
By comparison Port Adelaide's attempt demonstrates professionalism and a business first approach.
Football is a by-product and mostly a catylist for business. This is great for football funding but
grassroots is another question. Getting a large AFL television audience probably should be the prime objective.

I personally think India is a better bet long term for political, sporting, cultural, english language reasons.

From an organic p.o.v. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the Asian cricket tripartite, is already showing a greater willingness to take up the Australian Football.
No, I don't belive cricket grounds have played a part in this but later they will become integral to staging exhibition games etc.
I don't know exactly why AFL should be more acceptable in the Indian sub-continent than elsewhere but it seems intuitive.
It could be a mix of
1. British heritage - technically that should be a negative. Maybe from the British desire to play sport.
2. Sporting desire is present and more space is given over to participating in sport despite the heat.
3. English language - not really when you look at Pakistan and rural India but then AFL may look less foreign.
4. The name Australian Football or AFL would at worst be seen as nuetral. In China it's transalted to "olive ball".
5. The fact that soccer hasn't taken off. Maybe AFL is seen as more acceptable because of it's cricket synergy.
6. Kabadi - the fact that they have a national team sport that requires agility.
7. Entrepeneurism when it comes to sport rather than China's business focus.
8. AFL footballs and gear already are already widely produced.
9. Cricket grounds could potentially become very important.
10. International competition. There has already been a great turnout to an India Vs Pakistan international. Again, a bit of cricket synergy.

Politically, the Chinese government is much more powerful. They could install AFL in schols for example or they could totally ignore any efforts.
In the cricket tripartite, there is great cohesion through the Australian embassy and trade fairs etc.
 
Last edited:

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants

jatz14

Brownlow Medallist
Dec 13, 2011
11,370
16,077
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
Perth Glory W-League
Yes that was very interesting and surprising also to read.
The AFL CEO was responding I think to the heaps of criticism from various footy fans about the fixture overall, and its costs.
It seems odd, that people think the AFL is all about the dollars, and at the same time, think the AFL are blowing millions in China, and lying about it. Its a really schizo view of things. More and more I think, the AFL is seen as the bad guy, and people take whatever view fits that narrative,
 

RedV3x

It's about time some mods started being fair
Dec 14, 2015
5,063
1,586
It's about time some mods started being fair
AFL Club
Fremantle
[QUOTE="jatz14, post: 61271071, member: 127263", the AFL is seen as the bad guy,[/QUOTE]

The media focus is always on the negative.
The information was always out there that this was a Port Adelaide business deal first that would benefit football second.
The last century exhibition matches were underwritten by beer companies.
The International Rules Series ran at a small profit and was not a "waste of money" as many liked to protest.
Most of the other major developments (except N.Z.) have been underwritten with government or private money to a large degree.

But the biggest problem is people just like to whinge without bothering to investigate or analyze the facts.
The classic example is whinging about the state of the game and the AFL when it's really the coaches that determine whay's happening.
People whinge about the AFL yet if they were go to any other tier of football they will see football as it should be played.
 

RedV3x

It's about time some mods started being fair
Dec 14, 2015
5,063
1,586
It's about time some mods started being fair
AFL Club
Fremantle
Yes that was very interesting and surprising also to read.

The only surprising thing was the figure of $1 million each.
Port Adelaide always said that this was going to be a profitable exercise aftre breaking even the first year.

The AFL CEO was responding I think to the heaps of criticism from various footy fans about the fixture overall, and its costs.

Rightly so, because the AFL has taken over what really is a Port Adelaide business ventre.
The AFL is saying "look what we're doing in China" so criticism was to be expected when in reality the
first headlines were "Port Adelaide is aiming at securing it's financial future by lookingtowards China".
 

TWLS

Club Legend
Jul 19, 2015
1,321
488
WA
AFL Club
West Coast
Other Teams
GWS Giants
The only surprising thing was the figure of $1 million each.
Port Adelaide always said that this was going to be a profitable exercise aftre breaking even the first year.



Rightly so, because the AFL has taken over what really is a Port Adelaide business ventre.
The AFL is saying "look what we're doing in China" so criticism was to be expected when in reality the
first headlines were "Port Adelaide is aiming at securing it's financial future by lookingtowards China".

Thinking about it the figure of 1 million dollars each to the two Clubs for that particular match I have some doubt about.
Never anywhere including on the Port Adelaide forum thread had that figure been mentioned and just seems very strange.
Would that figure be to date after the 3 matches.
If that figure is correct will some of the other cash strapped Clubs in the league get on board and why did the Suns walk away.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Back