AFL leads the way at starting international competition!

[Swans4ever]

Well with all the Rugby League League fans on here telling us AF fans that it doesn't matter if international competition is compromised in your code as long as it's competitive! It would seem the AFL has found the right balance to expand the sport with international competition and have it remain competitive - take the Australians out of the equation and make strict rules for selection!

2014 AFL International Cup
Melbourne, Australia
Saturday August 9 to Saturday August 23 2014

The AFL is pleased to announce the 2014 AFL International Cup will be held in Melbourne from Saturday August 9 to Saturday August 23 2014.

The fifth International Cup carnival will include at two AFL curtain-raiser matches, matches played at AFL and VFL venues, a men’s and women’s competition, a standalone AFL 9s fixture and matches linked with community football leagues.

AFL International Development Manager Tony Woods said the aim was to make IC14 the biggest International Cup to date.

“We are committed to building on the success of IC11 and we believe we can once again deliver a great experience for all participating nations by hosting this event in the AFL's heartland.

“By basing the carnival in Melbourne we are able to engage with the broader football community including the AFL, VFL and suburban leagues.

“We look forward to welcoming countries from Oceania, North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. While the countries have various playing standards and local development programs, the common denominator is all the participants share our love of playing our great game,” he said.

“It’s quite magical to witness firsthand the cultural and language interpretation and expression of AFL as it is developed and nurtured in the arms of communities all over the world.”

The AFL International Cup concept grew organically on the passion of committed individuals from both Australia and abroad on the back of a number of successful smaller carnivals with international participation.

The AFL International Cup is held every 3 years and is a celebration of AFL football on a global scale. It is a unique and special event on the football calendar where people across the world come together to participate in the spirit of our game.

The key feature is that no expatriate Australians are eligible to play. Teams comprise solely of players who must be nationals of the country they represent.

BRIEF HISTORY

2002 marked the beginning of the International Cup concept when 11 teams competed
Champions – Ireland.
2005 saw 10 teams compete and the introduction of a ‘community round’ within the competition with games played in Wangaratta.
Champions - NZ.
The 2008 International Cup saw 16 competing teams and 3 cultural teams.
Champions – PNG.
In 2011 the IC grew to incorporate 23 teams. 18 men's teams across 2 divisions and 5 women’s teams. Matches were played in both Sydney & Melbourne. Full details available at www.IC11.com.au
Champions – Ireland.
Women’s Champions – Ireland.
Division 2 winner- Fiji.
An Australian Football tournament being played by players from around the world is a true highlight on the AFL’s calendar, and as we continue to develop the IC and the game internationally greater opportunities exist for players to succeed at much higher levels.

[cos789]

As I understand it, the criteria is based on where you played your junior or your first football.
So players from NZ and PNG benefit greatly by playing junior football in their home countries and
then venturing to Australia. Irish players benefit greatly from their Gaelic Football backround.
A lot of overseas players playing AFL are NOT eligible for their countries because
their first introduction to football was in fact in Australia.

[pHyR3]

Why would we make australians ineligible in RL? The reason you have is because no country would compare to australia since no one cares about the sport elsewhere. However, in RL Aus, NZ and UK are all fighting it out for the title with homegrown players. And the use of expatriates creates a meaningful competition for other countries that would otherwise not be competitive at all. This promotes interest and thus growth in the sport. Example: Lebanon: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/10/22/le ... s-to-grow/

You might have a few aussies in the islander teams, sure, but they will be playing for their heritage while still allowing many other people to play for their country. This promotes an even competition while still growing the game in those islander countries like Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and PNG. What is wrong with having some aussies playing for their heritage? It helps to grow the game better than playing in some meaningless wankathon like the international AFL cup or whatever it's called.

There's a reason that 400k are rocking up to watch the tournament, and by exluding all aussies from participating that number would drop as it undermines the legitimacy of the competition more than having aussies play for their heritage.

Now, it's likely that very few of your AFL supporters will actually understand what I've said except maybe, xman, cos and one or two others but i've typed it up anyway and i will be met with the predictable, "BFADHF IT IS NOT LEGITIMATE WHAT A JOKE" even though the competition is successful at growing the sport, showcasing it and providing a legitimate and professional tournament in comparison to the AFL one.

[Swans4ever]

Why would we make australians ineligible in RL? The reason you have is because no country would compare to australia since no one cares about the sport elsewhere. However, in RL Aus, NZ and UK are all fighting it out for the title with homegrown players. And the use of expatriates creates a meaningful competition for other countries that would otherwise not be competitive at all. This promotes interest and thus growth in the sport. Example: Lebanon: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/10/22/le ... s-to-grow/

You might have a few aussies in the islander teams, sure, but they will be playing for their heritage while still allowing many other people to play for their country. This promotes an even competition while still growing the game in those islander countries like Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and PNG. What is wrong with having some aussies playing for their heritage? It helps to grow the game better than playing in some meaningless wankathon like the international AFL cup or whatever it's called.

There's a reason that 400k are rocking up to watch the tournament, and by exluding all aussies from participating that number would drop as it undermines the legitimacy of the competition more than having aussies play for their heritage.

Now, it's likely that very few of your AFL supporters will actually understand what I've said except maybe, xman, cos and one or two others but i've typed it up anyway and i will be met with the predictable, "BFADHF IT IS NOT LEGITIMATE WHAT A JOKE" even though the competition is successful at growing the sport, showcasing it and providing a legitimate and professional tournament in comparison to the AFL one.

The point is that RL is propping up the international comp by making such loose selection criteria - I am not advocating that Australia be excluded from the RLWC but don't have a comp with 12 teams so as to look good have the 4 nations or 6 teams or 8 providing they are the NATIONALS from that country - not brothers flat mates friends acquaintances. At least AFL recognised that propping up countries is just excluding home grown talent - better to face facts exclude Australia and have 24 competitive countries of home grown talent involved! Thats my point.

[cos789]

Now, it's likely that very few of your AFL supporters will actually understand what I've said .

Yes, you don't express yourself very well.

even though the competition is successful at growing the sport,

You saying it has been or will be.

a legitimate and professional tournament in comparison to the AFL one.

Well I see you're comparing it to the AFL wc not the RUWC.
If the rlwc is so successful why isn't compared to the RUWC.
The AFL WC has been going only a comparatively short time and you're comparing the rlwc to it.
Thank you. I guess the reason why the AFL WC has grown so quickly is because we do have these tight criteria in place and the games are very competitve and players are playing for their country.
I don't know how you would quantify the successfullnes of the rlwc but it suffers from a large difference in standards. Is that why Aussies are padding the teams out?

And one question. WTF is Australia taking credit for a Northern English game being played in England??

[Raiderdave]

Why would we make australians ineligible in RL? The reason you have is because no country would compare to australia since no one cares about the sport elsewhere. However, in RL Aus, NZ and UK are all fighting it out for the title with homegrown players. And the use of expatriates creates a meaningful competition for other countries that would otherwise not be competitive at all. This promotes interest and thus growth in the sport. Example: Lebanon: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/10/22/le ... s-to-grow/

You might have a few aussies in the islander teams, sure, but they will be playing for their heritage while still allowing many other people to play for their country. This promotes an even competition while still growing the game in those islander countries like Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and PNG. What is wrong with having some aussies playing for their heritage? It helps to grow the game better than playing in some meaningless wankathon like the international AFL cup or whatever it's called.

There's a reason that 400k are rocking up to watch the tournament, and by exluding all aussies from participating that number would drop as it undermines the legitimacy of the competition more than having aussies play for their heritage.

Now, it's likely that very few of your AFL supporters will actually understand what I've said except maybe, xman, cos and one or two others but i've typed it up anyway and i will be met with the predictable, "BFADHF IT IS NOT LEGITIMATE WHAT A JOKE" even though the competition is successful at growing the sport, showcasing it and providing a legitimate and professional tournament in comparison to the AFL one.

exactly
these fumbling fart fiddlers simply have no idea
theres a reason why 400,000 tickets have already been purchased for this RLWC ...
the Locals want to see their favourite sport play at its best by the best players in the world
NZ ... Australia ... & the Mother country will dominate
but PNG & France will be tough as will Fiji .... & the Italians & Americans have already caused massive surprises in warm up games
yes indeed
despite what these sooking fumbling cry babies are saying while looking at their sad pathetic attempt at a world competition

this RLWC will be the biggest in the codes history
it is off the charts so far compared to the previous ones
well done to all concerned =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

now back to the title of this thread

the VFL leading the way in international competition
>

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the criteria

be able to afford a return trip to & some accommodation in Australia & own shorts 4 sizes too small for you & a singlet ................
& that's it

:_<> :_<> :_<>
being able to catch or kick straight is optional

well that's the same for this joke of a sports best players
:_<> :_<>

this is a world cup is it ?
:_<> :_<> :_<> :_<>

[NRLCrap1]

theres a reason why 400,000 tickets have already been purchased for this RLWC ...
the Locals want to see their favourite sport play at its best by the best players in the world

*reaches for the hand brake and pulls hard*

The Poms favourite sport is SOCCER you fricking goose!

The OP is great and it shows how much AFL has grown across the world in the space of a decade thanks to the active expansion work. The RLWC has been going for a lot longer and where's the fruits of that labour? Looking at a massive space there.....

[Raiderdave]

theres a reason why 400,000 tickets have already been purchased for this RLWC ...
the Locals want to see their favourite sport play at its best by the best players in the world

*reaches for the hand brake and pulls hard*

The Poms favourite sport is SOCCER you fricking goose!

.....

more like ..........reaches for his dick & pulls hard

not all poms prefer wendyball you ***** twat :_<> :_<>
RL is very popular in the Nthn Counties of England
hence ... the 400,000 tickets sold for the RLWC

The OP is great and it shows how much AFL has grown across the world

:_<> :_<> :_<>
a circle jerk for amatuers who can barely kick catch or punch a ball
its just a trip abroad with some fumbling bumbling & missing in singlets thrown in

. The RLWC has been going for a lot longer and where's the fruits of that labour? Looking at a massive space there

the fruits will be the most successful RLWC ever held with 400,000 tickets sold so far & attendances which will top half a million by tournaments end =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
a massive space ?
no
that's the gap between your ears :_<> :_<> :_<>

[pHyR3]

Someone asked about the RUWC and why that's bigger. Primarily because it was popular **** the rich and they have the power. Example, France in WWII when the government I think either banned RL or deprived any support in favour of RU (cue lame joke about how australia should ban it or something).

And what have we got to show for it? A quickly growing competition that now encompasses USA and Italy. Two, I think, areas where we can double or triple in the US, participation by the next RLWC. And as dave has said, 400k tickets. tell me when AFL does that anywhere but in australia. i'd give you a number to call me up on, but there's really no point.

[NRLCrap1]

theres a reason why 400,000 tickets have already been purchased for this RLWC ...
the Locals want to see their favourite sport play at its best by the best players in the world

*reaches for the hand brake and pulls hard*

The Poms favourite sport is SOCCER you fricking goose!

.....

more like ..........reaches for his dick & pulls hard

not all poms prefer wendyball you ***** twat :_<> :_<>
RL is very popular in the Nthn Counties of England
hence ... the 400,000 tickets sold for the RLWC

http://espnfc.com/stats/attendance/_/le ... ue?cc=3436

The RLWC WISHES it had these sorts of numbers! 400K tickets sold? That's a joke. Man U and Arsenal have beat that by themselves! And the season is nowhere near the half way point!!

The OP is great and it shows how much AFL has grown across the world

:_<> :_<> :_<>
a circle jerk for amatuers who can barely kick catch or punch a ball
its just a trip abroad with some fumbling bumbling & missing in singlets thrown in

And according to the OP involving more countries than the RLWC! Besides, there are plenty of amateur teams in the RLWC. The only pros are (by your own admission) Australia, NZ and the Poms!

. The RLWC has been going for a lot longer and where's the fruits of that labour? Looking at a massive space there

the fruits will be the most successful RLWC ever held with 400,000 tickets sold so far & attendances which will top half a million by tournaments end =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
a massive space ?
no
that's the gap between your ears :_<> :_<> :_<>

Half a million? If it was as popular as you say it is they'd get at least a million. But they won't! Anyway, that's not the point. The point is what's happening ON THE FIELD! Which you ignored as usual. Playing numbers don't bother you? They should after I slaughtered you over the numbers in your own home town!!

Sawdust for brains, Dave. That's what you have. Sawdust for brains.

[Raiderdave]

theres a reason why 400,000 tickets have already been purchased for this RLWC ...
the Locals want to see their favourite sport play at its best by the best players in the world

*reaches for the hand brake and pulls hard*

The Poms favourite sport is SOCCER you fricking goose!

.....

more like ..........reaches for his dick & pulls hard

not all poms prefer wendyball you ***** twat :_<> :_<>
RL is very popular in the Nthn Counties of England
hence ... the 400,000 tickets sold for the RLWC

http://espnfc.com/stats/attendance/_/le ... ue?cc=3436

The RLWC WISHES it had these sorts of numbers! 400K tickets sold? That's a joke. Man U and Arsenal have beat that by themselves! And the season is nowhere near the half way point!!

The OP is great and it shows how much AFL has grown across the world

:_<> :_<> :_<>
a circle jerk for amatuers who can barely kick catch or punch a ball
its just a trip abroad with some fumbling bumbling & missing in singlets thrown in

And according to the OP involving more countries than the RLWC! Besides, there are plenty of amateur teams in the RLWC. The only pros are (by your own admission) Australia, NZ and the Poms!

. The RLWC has been going for a lot longer and where's the fruits of that labour? Looking at a massive space there

the fruits will be the most successful RLWC ever held with 400,000 tickets sold so far & attendances which will top half a million by tournaments end =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
a massive space ?
no
that's the gap between your ears :_<> :_<> :_<>

Half a million? If it was as popular as you say it is they'd get at least a million. .

ahhhh
the fumbles & bumbles would be thrilled if it could sell .... ...... 500... tickets to its world cup



:_<> :_<> :_<>

500,000

500





the fumbles & bumbles


tiniest sport on the planet

[Swans4ever]

You are an idiot - the AFL don't sell tickets to this event but in the last IC11 they got easily more than 2000 to one day - it's not highly advertised and it is purely developmental. It is an expansion tool for the AFL not some see thru publicity stunt like the RLWC!

[pHyR3]

theres a reason why 400,000 tickets have already been purchased for this RLWC ...
the Locals want to see their favourite sport play at its best by the best players in the world

*reaches for the hand brake and pulls hard*

The Poms favourite sport is SOCCER you fricking goose!

.....

more like ..........reaches for his dick & pulls hard

not all poms prefer wendyball you ***** twat :_<> :_<>
RL is very popular in the Nthn Counties of England
hence ... the 400,000 tickets sold for the RLWC

http://espnfc.com/stats/attendance/_/le ... ue?cc=3436

The RLWC WISHES it had these sorts of numbers! 400K tickets sold? That's a joke. Man U and Arsenal have beat that by themselves! And the season is nowhere near the half way point!!

The OP is great and it shows how much AFL has grown across the world

:_<> :_<> :_<>
a circle jerk for amatuers who can barely kick catch or punch a ball
its just a trip abroad with some fumbling bumbling & missing in singlets thrown in

And according to the OP involving more countries than the RLWC! Besides, there are plenty of amateur teams in the RLWC. The only pros are (by your own admission) Australia, NZ and the Poms!

. The RLWC has been going for a lot longer and where's the fruits of that labour? Looking at a massive space there

the fruits will be the most successful RLWC ever held with 400,000 tickets sold so far & attendances which will top half a million by tournaments end =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
a massive space ?
no
that's the gap between your ears :_<> :_<> :_<>

Half a million? If it was as popular as you say it is they'd get at least a million. But they won't! Anyway, that's not the point. The point is what's happening ON THE FIELD! Which you ignored as usual. Playing numbers don't bother you? They should after I slaughtered you over the numbers in your own home town!!

Sawdust for brains, Dave. That's what you have. Sawdust for brains.

The only pros are Aus, NZ and UK? how about all those fantastic islander players like petero civonoceva, marika koroibete, akuila uate, lote tuqiri the list goes on and on. What have AFL got to show in that regard? after a discussion with someone, mighta been you or swans, the best you could name is a couple of AFL players that were born elsewehere and moved here at 10. One of em hadn't played the game in years

It should get a MILLION? what with capacities of 70k that's literally not even physcically possible you dropkick. The maximum i believe is 500,000 which will likely be hit, or close to it by the end of the tournament.

Haha, what's happening on the field. So obviously changing the point of argument as it suits you. You're more than happy to talk about AFL crowds when it benefits your argument, why don't we talk about the shit house onfield aspect of AFL and how it's a fumblathon with few highlights to show for the SEASON let alone in a game. One or two shots from the sideline in a season, maybe a long goal nothing that compares to Michael Jennings in origin and the GF or Koroibete's blinding speed or Simona's numerous 100m efforts or Nofoaluma's leap into the air the came in at NUMBER ONE on ESPN AMERICA'S plays of the week.

[pHyR3]

The only way you can combat RL is UK is by using soccer in the UK LOL. Yea it is bigger, it's not even a contest. I don't understand your point? RL should be beating manchester united?? maybe AFL should try to beat hmmm.... i dunno some shithouse English Super league team that averages 5k in the season. Here's a tip, you can't outside of australia.

[Raiderdave]

You are an idiot - the AFL don't sell tickets to this event !

:_<> :_<>

of course they don't
as they wouldn't sell any


meanwhile the RLWC will have sold .. that's .. sold , so people handing over money to watch
over half a million tickets by tournaments end


you couldn't drag people to that abomination you lot call a world cup