International Exposure for Aussie Rules (Not AFL)

[jatz14]

Saw this on a feed, and think it is in a small way quite significant.
Firstly it shows the growing phenomena of overseas development in some countries moving to a point where it is locals pushing expansion of the game and not expats. The game will never be more than a curiosity anywhere if it is a game of expats.

Second, it shows the sort or report that grows awareness of the game in a meaningful way. It might be good showing an AFL highlight on TV, but it is unlikely to prompt any action. A positive report on local TV showing footy as a local sport worth playing is worth its weight in gold.

Will not have a huge effect on its own, but if it prompts a half dozen or so to give the game a go, and each year sees another story or 2, it adds up over a few years. Canada especially is at a point where little stories like this seem to keep cropping up, and is possible part of the reason that womens footy has been quite successful there quite quick

Thought it worth a thread to show local media reports of local football as a gauge of grass roots growth overseas.
http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Montreal/ID/2524099338/

 

[JaySchultzforPM]

I know the Portland Steelheads are currently in a competition for Portland's best sports logo. They've made it into the final 8, initially out of 32. They are currently up against the Timbers, Portland's MLS side. That's gotta be pretty good publicity being up against a franchise like that. They're not doing too badly either.
http://www.portlandsports.com/portland/round-3-portlands-best-sports-logo/

 

[Gigantor]

I thought this was a good spot to mention that Fiji recently defeated Nauru in the U15s Oceania cup, which is actually quite a big deal, as they have only been playing the game for 5 or so years.

 

[The_Wookie]

Local fox news covers Minnesota Freeze (July 2014)


Local canadian news covers the canadian womens team (Sept 2014)


BT Sport (Uk) try Aussie Rules


BT Sport (Uk) - Wasps Rugby v Australian Rules

 

[The_Wookie]

Footy in India (abc news, july 2014)


Seattle Grizzlies on local news (2007)


Aussie Rules in London (2008)

 

[jatz14]

I thought this was a good spot to mention that Fiji recently defeated Nauru in the U15s Oceania cup, which is actually quite a big deal, as they have only been playing the game for 5 or so years.

Nauru quite strong to.

 

[Cmarsh]

The game overseas will gain a more inground local following if sons and daughters of local players are encouraged to play the game as well. At that point the game then becomes multigenerational, and a culture can then be developed.

 

[Gigantor]

An interesting story in WFN about an article in a local Scottish paper about progress of the game there:

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20150218085226606

 

[PACatter]

The game overseas will gain a more inground local following if sons and daughters of local players are encouraged to play the game as well. At that point the game then becomes multigenerational, and a culture can then be developed.

Spot on. It's nice to court the money-earning twenty-somethings, but footy needs to get in at grade school levels to create a foundation for growth outside of Australia. Market kick-to-kick to grades 1-8, and footy to grades 9+.

It would sure beat the hell out of the square dancing/nuke 'em/gymnastics segments of phys ed.

 

[Gigantor]

Spot on. It's nice to court the money-earning twenty-somethings, but footy needs to get in at grade school levels to create a foundation for growth outside of Australia. Market kick-to-kick to grades 1-8, and footy to grades 9+.

It would sure beat the hell out of the square dancing/nuke 'em/gymnastics segments of phys ed.

It is interesting that kids (and older people generally) actually enjoy kicking a footy, even if most can't kick a footy (I'm talking about people not raised on aussie rules).

A foundation stone for all PE classes the world over should be to learn to kick a footy, and what better way than be introduced to aussie rules.

 

[jatz14]

Good article in online paper about football in Quebec here http://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/6793#.VPbt_od6e8U.facebook

The page has a video with interviews of key people in Montreal footy, and shows an indoor training session.

 

[Gigantor]

Good article in online paper about football in Quebec here http://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/6793#.VPbt_od6e8U.facebook

The page has a video with interviews of key people in Montreal footy, and shows an indoor training session.

That's a pretty decent write up.

 

[jatz14]

An article on the new London womens league

http://www.swlondoner.co.uk/wandswo...ead-way-womens-aussie-rules-kicks-off-london/

 

[jatz14]

From Thailand
http://www.thephuketnews.com/aussie-rules-historic-first-match-in-phuket-51351.php

 

[ike2112]

An interesting story in WFN about an article in a local Scottish paper about progress of the game there:

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20150218085226606

In Scotland the game has also gone in last two years from 2 league clubs with 1 associate side, to having 6 clubs this year. Player pool for the national team has risen in 18 months from around 60, to 150 registered players, less than 10% are Australian ex-pats.
Got the sport being coached for young kids after school, and in-school for 15-17yr olds; only in one region at the moment but hoping other clubs follow soon.

 

[fabulousphil]

Not sure whether the game is growing at community club level, but AFLNZ and obviously the AFL seem to be really combing for talent for the AFL.

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2015032701234215

You would think that playing a Swans development team is a bit over the top, strong club teams should be the go IMO ATM

A reasonably even contest should be the focus.

 

[Gigantor]

Not sure whether the game is growing at community club level, but AFLNZ and obviously the AFL seem to be really combing for talent for the AFL.

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/2015032701234215

You would think that playing a Swans development team is a bit over the top, strong club teams should be the go IMO ATM

A reasonably even contest should be the focus.

Agreed, especially if blokes like Isaac Heeney are turning out for the Academy.

 

[fabulousphil]

Agreed, especially if blokes like Isaac Heeney are turning out for the Academy.

saw the Swans game today, did not look out of place and kicked a nice pressure left foot goal around the corner ... i don't think he is left foot

The Swans may find a few more like him around Newcastle in the future.

 

[Gigantor]

saw the Swans game today, did not look out of place and kicked a nice pressure left foot goal around the corner ... i don't think he is left foot

The Swans may find a few more like him around Newcastle in the future.

Yeh, I saw him the other day in the game against the Giants at Manuka, he definitely can play.

 

[fabulousphil]

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3000672/us-recruits-keen-to-launch-afl-careers/?cs=149

2 Americans playing at Temora

Last year there was a stack of Irishmen playing in Griffith, about 5 i believe.

Edit ** A third American

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3000267/best-of-the-lot/?cs=149

Edit edit ***

With the earlier recruitment of Irish ruckman Dominic Joyce from Collingullie, it will give Temora a strong international feel this season.

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/2990749/temora-recruits-us-pair/?cs=149

 

[Gigantor]

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3000672/us-recruits-keen-to-launch-afl-careers/?cs=149

2 Americans playing at Temora

Last year there was a stack of Irishmen playing in Griffith, about 5 i believe.

Edit ** A third American

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/3000267/best-of-the-lot/?cs=149

Edit edit ***

With the earlier recruitment of Irish ruckman Dominic Joyce from Collingullie, it will give Temora a strong international feel this season.

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/2990749/temora-recruits-us-pair/?cs=149

Pretty amazing, to hear of so many non-Australians heading to Temora to play aussie rules is definitely left field

 

[fabulousphil]

Pretty amazing, to hear of so many non-Australians heading to Temora to play aussie rules is definitely left field

Temora is i think the reigning premier, or perhaps 2013, they have a new coach, perhaps he has a link with Port Melbourne which is where these guys were training at.

What is fairly common across country football is Tiwi islanders/NT footballers or even PNG footballers coming down south to play, this though is a different kettle of fish and i am wondering if it too will become reasonably common, it is certainly an area with plenty of potential.

 

[jatz14]

Here is a blog being written by an American who arrived in Australia today? to play in Dimboola (no idea where that is). He is not an elite college athlete, he is from the Portland USAFL team. there is a small but steady stream coming from the US and Canada to play footy in better leagues. It is good for the longevity of the sport in those countries as it shows they have players in for the long haul, not just a year or 2 playing a novelty sport.

 

[Gigantor]

Here is a blog being written by an American who arrived in Australia today? to play in Dimboola (no idea where that is). He is not an elite college athlete, he is from the Portland USAFL team. there is a small but steady stream coming from the US and Canada to play footy in better leagues. It is good for the longevity of the sport in those countries as it shows they have players in for the long haul, not just a year or 2 playing a novelty sport.

I love reading these sorts of blogs and stories. As the author says straight out, a whole lot of things have to fall in place for someone on the other side of the world to fall in love with our game.

 

[jatz14]

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/comm...cal-interest-in-australian-rules-football.ece

An article on the Dallas Magpies