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IC 2011 results

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WFN is perfect for that, and can be a hub for contacts. They already have locations pretty much mapped out (on maps!) and contact details for the clubs/leagues. I have a feeling they'd jump at the chance to offer that sort of service.

The main issue is getting the tourist to be aware of WFN in the first place. There's still myriad hardcore aussie rules fans/players who don't know its played overseas.

THAT is the trick, to get a larger percentage of the prospective touring footballer to be aware of - and utilise - the contact options available.
 
Mobbenfuhrer said:
WFN is perfect for that, and can be a hub for contacts.
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I'm thrilled that there is a spark of interest here .

As I stated umpiring is great as it is in demand everywhere and on an add hoc basis so it's just a matter of getting some game shedules .I believe South Africa has a well organised system whereby if you're driving around the RSA as a tourist they'll organise something for you to do(reasonably substantial).As well as they there are paid aids in RSA and the Pacific and they are highly qualified .For those less qualified or just wishing to help out then a database of skills , destinations and dates is the obvious starting point .It could be very mutually benefificial .It could be more important for the clubs/leagues to advertise their situation , then people use that as an "excuse" to tour that location.I imagine there's a huge difference in the situations of Europe and the Pacific for example .

Just one little anedote .I was at the IC having a kick-to-kick ,retrieving the footballs when I unknowingly gave some off-the-cuff advice to a coach which was in direct opposition to his game plan .
 
I must qualify that I'm not part of WFN, I was just putting it out there that they are kind of set up already to do that and that I would hazard a guess that they'd be quite interested to be involved.
 
aidancdaman said:
New Zealand absolutely kill Great Britain 15.10.100 to 0.2.2. The team is wholly NZ-based bar one or two lads as well. Speaks for the quality of our leagues. Fantastic result and long may this form continue. Go Hawks!
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How much money have the AFL and Hawthorn pumped into footy in NZ.... The GB team never recieved any money from the AFL in the lead-up to the International Cup!!! Many players swapped jumpers after the tournament and all the Kiwi boys had 6 jumpers to trade!!! Just goes to show the gap between the countries and where the AFL's priorities are when spread the sport overseas...
 

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Dogmatic6 said:
What?!? Are you forgetting that there's no Australian team in the competition? You Kiwis would take bragging rights for tiddlywinks if you could. An Australian team would make a mockery of all other comers. If you could remove Australia from "the World" - and I'm sure you'd love to - then maybe you'd have half a chance to make a claim of world AFL champions.
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Australia would have smashed everyone... we all know that they would be World Champions... It wouldnt make sense having them compete in the IC
 
Putney Magpies said:
How much money have the AFL and Hawthorn pumped into footy in NZ.... The GB team never recieved any money from the AFL in the lead-up to the International Cup!!! Many players swapped jumpers after the tournament and all the Kiwi boys had 6 jumpers to trade!!! Just goes to show the gap between the countries and where the AFL's priorities are when spread the sport overseas...
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In fairness to the AFL, if an AFL club get's seriously interested, then, it makes AFL HQ's decision much easier.

Sadly, tyranny of distance works against Europe for now - not saying it's right. Even Rugby League has a serious advantage of a pro league base in England and one in Australia. Aust Footy doesn't have that. It makes it very, very difficult.

The progress with juniors though in NZ, PNG and Sth Pacific is a highly encouraging sign. One can only hope that the learnings the AFL has been gaining will help it in other endeavours - and with the EAFA getting in place and the full side European Championships to augment the EuroCup - hopefully a few key foundations stones are in place. Just need to develop more junior programs.

What happened in England? is Carshalton Boys sports college still playing the game?
 
actually just saw this about a member of England U18 Rugby squad:
George Merrick, age 18 :

Now studying at Whitgift School for a BTEC in Physical Education, George toured Italy with London Scottish two years ago and also went to Australia with the Great Britain Australian Rules squad.

so, like a few Kiwi's before - he might benefit in the rigid games from his improved athleticism and skills acquired in Aust Footy........

:rolleyes:
 
Munro_Mick said:
Sadly, tyranny of distance works against Europe for now - not saying it's right.

The progress with juniors though in NZ, PNG and Sth Pacific is a highly encouraging sign.
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I've posted something like this before .If you had a reasonable sum of money where would you invest that money ? Where would you get maximum benefit for the outlay ? What sort of priority do you set up ?

I suggest it's not an easy question to answer .
 
Putney Magpies said:
How much money have the AFL and Hawthorn pumped into footy in NZ....
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I've heard large numbers bandied about. All worth it though. Playing numbers booming faster than any other sport in the country apparently. Love seeing the little ones walking to school every day with the mini sherrins in their hands. Its only in the last 3 years that Kiwikick clinics and the like have meant a massive growth in awareness of the game. Hopefully it transits into these kids having a lifelong love of football in the coming years.
 
aidancdaman said:
I've heard large numbers bandied about. All worth it though. Playing numbers booming faster than any other sport in the country apparently. Love seeing the little ones walking to school every day with the mini sherrins in their hands. Its only in the last 3 years that Kiwikick clinics and the like have meant a massive growth in awareness of the game. Hopefully it transits into these kids having a lifelong love of football in the coming years.
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This is a good example .Pity we don't have the figures .
Invest x dollars -> y Kiwikick numbers -> z participation growth .
Pathway to AFL ,junior representive games ,exhibition games etc can lead to a result from an approach not too dissimilar to NSW and QLD .
The same approch in other countries are not going to achieve the same results or would require a much higher input to be successful.Other countries are going to require a completely different approach to be successful .For argument sake if a concerned effort was made in GB what would be the outcome ?Even a hugely successful outcome would still stand AR in the sporting shade of a large country .
Just playing the devil's advocate for a moment ,the rise in NZ was not born out in it's position in the 2011 IC .The country that won has flown under the radar for quite some time now .
 
True about Ireland flying under the radar. From all accounts they had put together a good team that put in complete performances. Also a large amount of players Australian based. New Zealand lacked a 2m tall ruck and small forwards from what I've been told. NZ also only has 2 or 3 Australian based, so its good to see that our club talent doesn't go so badly.

Would be really interesting to see if this Pacific Foxtel Cup team proposal gets off the ground. Base the team in Auckland and see where it goes I say. Most of the PNG, Fiji, Samoa and Tongan boys will have a relative or 10 in the southern suburbs :D.
 
Munro_Mick said:
In fairness to the AFL, if an AFL club get's seriously interested, then, it makes AFL HQ's decision much easier.

Sadly, tyranny of distance works against Europe for now - not saying it's right. Even Rugby League has a serious advantage of a pro league base in England and one in Australia. Aust Footy doesn't have that. It makes it very, very difficult.

The progress with juniors though in NZ, PNG and Sth Pacific is a highly encouraging sign. One can only hope that the learnings the AFL has been gaining will help it in other endeavours - and with the EAFA getting in place and the full side European Championships to augment the EuroCup - hopefully a few key foundations stones are in place. Just need to develop more junior programs.

What happened in England? is Carshalton Boys sports college still playing the game?
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Junior program has gone out the window... no funding from the AFL and development..
 

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aidancdaman said:
I've heard large numbers bandied about. All worth it though. Playing numbers booming faster than any other sport in the country apparently. Love seeing the little ones walking to school every day with the mini sherrins in their hands. Its only in the last 3 years that Kiwikick clinics and the like have meant a massive growth in awareness of the game. Hopefully it transits into these kids having a lifelong love of football in the coming years.
Click to expand...

I've quoted the story a bit, but, talking to Peni Mahina (new GWS international scholarship holder and inaugral Tongan junior/senior captain) - he was attracted to the game purely via clinics at school.

Given that his family background was 100% Rugby (both) - with his dad a level 3 coach in RL and RU - and that now, the family has switched to Aust Footy and his dad is an AFL development officer in Tonga.

It shows what CAN and IS happening. Now - it's back to the AFL - what are they willing to do to follow on from this and not let it wither.
 
afl funding for international programs is a relatively new phenomena. hell, much "afl" funding is actually AusAID (in PNG and South Africa), with some minimal input from the AFL and clubs. New Zealand is an exception, because Hawthorn took to it, although the Bulldogs have expressed an interest.

European and north american australian football leagues and clubs receive hardly any funding, and the AFL was barely interested in these leagues, leaving them for such organisations as Aussie Rules International to do all the hard yards.
 

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