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Footy in China

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TWLS

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Jul 19, 2015
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The old thread was a bit tired going back several years.
Port Adelaide and the AFL pursuing the China connection again, with Port having signed a 3 year deal to play a AFL match each year 2017 -2019 up there.
The article below describes in detail the inner workings of the AFL push, which combined with the TV deal on China CCTV is a big positive. The Suns have signed on for at least one game, which will bring them 600,000 dollars in funds, it is speculated.
Read on--
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...h/news-story/d74a87fc57e3488616e1a516a61cd7df.
 
Some very promising news so far out of China relating to the Chinese CCTV cover of Port Adelaide matches. Very early days yet and we hope it is not another "false dawn" for our International game of which there has been many.
Will this be a breakthrough finally, because they are big numbers for our game.
Very interesting Chinese audience comments on how fast the action is compared to the Rugby and NFL Codes.
The Port Adelaide Academy Chinese Player - Chen Shaoliang - mentioned in the article was injured in his first game, and unfortunately broke his leg , and will not resume until next season.
http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/2016-06-09/millions-tune-into-power-games-in-china

There has been lately in the Melbourne Footy media a couple of mentions about the AFL and its policy on International expansion. What has been quoted is how the AFL has New Zealand, China and India targeted for more investment.
Well it appears that the former countries are getting some action but India so far not at the same level, and we noticed AFL officials actually flew to China to sort out the Venue for the upcoming matches.

Here is the official AFL coverage of the Chinese/Port Adelaide TV news.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-09/more-power-to-them-millions-of-chinese-tune-in
 
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Port Adelaide and the AFL continue their search for a home for our game in China. The article below is a reminder of the first game in 2010 at this Shanghai Venue.
http://web.archive.org/web/20121007...sarticle/tabid/208/newsid/104211/default.aspx

The video below from Ports Ken Thomas discusses the particular Shanghai Stadium, which looks like getting the nod. Really like the comments about being able to host domestic matches, and good transport access, and the ability to conduct Auskick at the venue.
Recognise the Chinese player kicking the ball -Looks like he is recovering well from his broken leg. Is this the start of a new era Internationally- We hope so.
http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/video/2016-06-24/shanghai-stadium-ptv
 
The go ahead has been given for the match in China for Premiership points next May. Port Adelaide will play the Gold Coast Suns.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-...-for-port-adelaide-v-gold-coast-clash/7967558
In a previous article the Port Adelaide CEO said a crowd of about 10,000 would be good. A team from China -will be in Melbourne next August for IC17, which will give some idea of their playing standard.


Here are some links to the various Aussie Rules activities in China which indicate that lots of hard work by expats and locals is showing dividends with increased participation from the Chinese themselves.

http://chengdukangaroos.com/2016/09/suns-coo-arrives-in-chengdu/

https://www.afl-asia.com/guangzhou-scorpions/
 

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Here is a video produced by the Port Adelaide Club earlier this year.
It covers the Stadium to be used in next years AFL match,and what we like about all of this is -- The comment was made -This could become the home of the AFL in China -That implies continued funding and support for the game up there.
The question to be asked will a Premiership match be held there on a Annual, Bi-Annual or Tri-Annual basis. Some comments have been made that the clubs involved will benefit considerably in all areas of their operations including financial returns.

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2016-10-26/touring-the-stadium-in-china
 
The Port bosses said their Club profits were down due to their spending in China on this fixture and development, but were very confident that they would get their money back over time.
 
Good article below and the photos are not to bad as well. One thing is for sure you cannot mistake what game their playing.
China is another country along with India with heaps of potential IF properly funded.
Great work up there by all concerned including the AFL-Asia website.
Guangdong (formerly Canton), is a coastal province of southeast China, borders Hong Kong and Macau. Its capital, Guangzhou, sits within its industrial Pearl River Delta region.
https://www.afl-asia.com/gzsu-win-another-guangdong-afl-season-in-china/
 

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AFL Asia who are doing a great job up there are advertising the Shanghai Cup to be held the day before the Port Adelaide v Suns game.
Very interesting that all local players will compete in a match immediately after the AFL match.
Looks like it will be a great couple of days for the fans up there who are starved of actual live footy in front of them.
AFL China is sending a mens team to IC17 to be held in August in Melbourne, along with several other countries.

http://www.afl-asia.com/shanghai-cup/

Off topic but related.
The Multicultural Community Organisation in Perth is reporting that the Chinese girls being introduced to the game are taking to it like ducks to water.
Maybe a pointer to the future particularly in China. You just never know.
 
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Lockhart Road might want to fill in some of the gaps with what is happening in China outside of the game in Shanghai. He is the guy that started the ball rolling for Port's China strategy back in mid 2013. LR is based in Hong Kong and has done lots of work with Auskick guys in Hong Kong, getting team China to both IC2014 and IC2017 and involved in Port sponsoring the South China AFL in the province of Guangdong and in particular the teams at the Unis in Guangzhou.
 
Lockhart Road might want to fill in some of the gaps with what is happening in China outside of the game in Shanghai. He is the guy that started the ball rolling for Port's China strategy back in mid 2013. LR is based in Hong Kong and has done lots of work with Auskick guys in Hong Kong, getting team China to both IC2014 and IC2017 and involved in Port sponsoring the South China AFL in the province of Guangdong and in particular the teams at the Unis in Guangzhou.
Aw shucks taa muchly mum
 

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Port easily defeated the Suns today in Shanghai. The word is that this match will have to be replicated for at least 5 years to have any impact.
Three domestic Chinese TV networks also broadcast this game in that region.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...a/news-story/afa1fc8436932bca80c07aa301a7d8b1

In more news Port have also signed 2 sports research deals with two Chinese Institutes to further deepen their commitments up there.
Other sources have indicated Port is about to increase their Football Development programs also.
 
"How good is winning," yelled a fired-up Dan Sulzberger, coach of the Guangzhou Scorpions on Saturday.

For a few seconds his group of Chinese Australian rules players remained expressionless while the rallying cry was translated, and only then did the team start yelling, throwing high fives and slapping each other on the back.

If AFL ever takes off as a participation sport in China then it will be due to volunteers like Mr Sulzberger, who helps run a four-team league made up almost entirely of Chinese players in the southern province of Guangdong.

The AFL is now supporting that league and other Chinese programs with $250,000 in funding and chief executive Gillon McLachlan is hoping they will give Australia's indigenous game a toe-hold in China.

"We are seeding AFL in China," he said on the sidelines of the Asian Cup tournament in Shanghai, where the Scorpions made the semi-finals.

"It's a huge country and a long-term play."

http://www.afr.com/business/sport/t...-afl-grabs-a-toehold-in-china-20170514-gw4fp6
 

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