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THE PRINCE OF WALES EXTENDS PATRONAGE OF AFL EUROPE
(Media Release from AFL Europe)
AFL Europe (Australian Football League Europe) today announced His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, has extended his Patronage of the organisation for a further two years.
As Patron, His Royal Highness will lend his name and support to programs which develop the game, particularly for young people.
AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan, who was in Ireland as part of the 2015 International Rules Series, warmly welcomed the support of the Prince of Wales.
“The Prince of Wales has a strong interest in the development of young people. It is this passion, combined with his long held fondness for Australia, which makes us so pleased that he has extended his Patronage and that he continues to lend his support for AFL Europe,” Mr McLachlan said
“It is a huge honour to have someone his standing lend his name to AFL Europe.”
AFL Europe CEO Megan Hession reiterated the significance of the announcement.
“AFL Europe is thrilled to have His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales extend his patronage over our Federation,” she said.
“We believe his ongoing support will greatly assist us to reach an even broader audience as we further introduce Australian Football into schools and communities across Europe.”
The past year has been a very busy one for AFL Europe, highlighted by two inaugural events taking place; the AFL Europe Champions League in Amsterdam, and the AFL Grand Final Lunch at Australia House in London.
An action packed-calendar also included the 7th Annual ANZAC Cup in Villers-Bretonneux; the 2015 Axios Euro Cup in Umag, Croatia; a London All-Stars match hosting the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) representative team, and the 2015 AFL Europe Talent Combine, which was recently staged in Dublin.
Participation across the 22 member nations grew over the past two years from approximately 5,000 players to more than 8,500 with the majority being European nationals rather than Australian expats. This figure also includes a small but growing number of women’s teams, schools, and AFL Auskick participants. All of which are the key focuses on the AFL Europe agenda for 2016.
There is also a growing pathway for talented athletes from Europe to test themselves in the elite AFL competitions. Irish young guns, Conor McKenna of Essendon debuted for his team and Colin O’Riordan has recently been listed with The Sydney Swans as AFL International Rookies.
(Media Release from AFL Europe)
AFL Europe (Australian Football League Europe) today announced His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, has extended his Patronage of the organisation for a further two years.
As Patron, His Royal Highness will lend his name and support to programs which develop the game, particularly for young people.
AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan, who was in Ireland as part of the 2015 International Rules Series, warmly welcomed the support of the Prince of Wales.
“The Prince of Wales has a strong interest in the development of young people. It is this passion, combined with his long held fondness for Australia, which makes us so pleased that he has extended his Patronage and that he continues to lend his support for AFL Europe,” Mr McLachlan said
“It is a huge honour to have someone his standing lend his name to AFL Europe.”
AFL Europe CEO Megan Hession reiterated the significance of the announcement.
“AFL Europe is thrilled to have His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales extend his patronage over our Federation,” she said.
“We believe his ongoing support will greatly assist us to reach an even broader audience as we further introduce Australian Football into schools and communities across Europe.”
The past year has been a very busy one for AFL Europe, highlighted by two inaugural events taking place; the AFL Europe Champions League in Amsterdam, and the AFL Grand Final Lunch at Australia House in London.
An action packed-calendar also included the 7th Annual ANZAC Cup in Villers-Bretonneux; the 2015 Axios Euro Cup in Umag, Croatia; a London All-Stars match hosting the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) representative team, and the 2015 AFL Europe Talent Combine, which was recently staged in Dublin.
Participation across the 22 member nations grew over the past two years from approximately 5,000 players to more than 8,500 with the majority being European nationals rather than Australian expats. This figure also includes a small but growing number of women’s teams, schools, and AFL Auskick participants. All of which are the key focuses on the AFL Europe agenda for 2016.
There is also a growing pathway for talented athletes from Europe to test themselves in the elite AFL competitions. Irish young guns, Conor McKenna of Essendon debuted for his team and Colin O’Riordan has recently been listed with The Sydney Swans as AFL International Rookies.
