What constitutes as AFL or NRL

[Swans4ever]

This is why I request proof. Thank you, Swans4ever. You have proven yourself to be more responsible in this regard than Cos789, who had to be pushed a lot harder in the previous instance.

Now having said that, why isn't this International Cup played in another country? And why isn't Australia represented, even in some restricted capacity?

Can't answer the first question as it maybe the AFL wants it to be somewhere it's understood - but I don't know - I think they should off it out to tender just to get some interest in it.

In respect of second question it is for Amateurs and the reason Australia is not represented is we would thrash most if not all sides - to compete just to dominate a comp is not in the spirit of competition the AFL wants to encourage - for the same reason no ex-pat players or dual citizen players can be picked. I think that's the big distinction between RLWC and IC14 - RL choose to make selection rules so loose that you can just about play for anywhere if you really wanted to but it's a false presentation and doesn't represent reality - AFL choose very strict rules of entry which does represent reality but shows AF to be in its actual state and that is in reality a minor concern OS - I'm fine with that as they say from little things big things go - In time I am confident as people get more and more pissed off with soccer being such a greedy game they will look for alternatives - for those that don't like rugby there will be AF. (When I say soccer is greedy I mean the top sides are really the only sides that can win in most soccer comps, junior players are forced to pay ridiculous fees to prop up senior comps, the level of corruption in the governing body is rampant and out of control, and the game itself wants other games to step aside when it comes to town - I like soccer but I don't like what it brings).

[Cracker]

There are many amateur competitions in Australia also. I did say a restricted presence. It makes no sense to me that Australia hosts every International Cup and yet it doesn't field a team. Given that players have been recruited from other countries to play in the AFL, most notably Ireland from the Gaelic game, surely a district amateur team would be at the same level as these teams from other countries?

[cos789]

This is why I request proof. Thank you, Swans4ever. You have proven yourself to be more responsible in this regard than Cos789,

As told you. I am NOT going to post links until you ACKNOWLEDGE their content.
Ignoring the contents is NOT RESPONSIBLE IMO.

SO the International Cup does exist, doesn't it cracker. Just like I said so.

Nowhy isn't this International Cup played in another country?

Because the international countries want to play in Australia.
The attraction is wanting to play at the home of Australian Football.
There are other international competitions especially in Europe.

And why isn't Australia represented, even in some restricted capacity?

Australia is free to play in other international competitions.
The beauty about the AFL International Cup is watching other countries play AF.
Overseas countries play Australian teams before and after the IC so if you want to watch
competition with Aussies you can.

[Cracker]

This is why I request proof. Thank you, Swans4ever. You have proven yourself to be more responsible in this regard than Cos789,

As told you. I am NOT going to post links until you ACKNOWLEDGE their content.
Ignoring the contents is NOT RESPONSIBLE IMO.

You have ignored the fact that I have acknowledged content of links provided. I rather think that it is you who is showing a lack of responsibility. Acknowledging content does not have to involve the word "Yes" incidentally.

Addressing the rest of what you have said, I call these factors weaknesses of Aussie Rules and not strengths. I know and accept that the AFL is trying to expand, but until recently I did not know that this expansion has gone beyond our shores. True expansion requires something far more tangible and effective.

[cos789]

This is why I request proof. Thank you, Swans4ever.

As told you. I am NOT going to post links until you ACKNOWLEDGE their content.
Ignoring the contents is NOT RESPONSIBLE IMO.

You have ignored the fact that I have acknowledged content of links provided.

You disputed the fact that AF is played in NZ. You did comment on the comments on the link but you've never actually agreed that AF is played in NZ.
Since it is agreed that AF is played in NZ I don't see the problem.

I call these factors weaknesses of Aussie Rules and not strengths.

The average person would find it very hard to see how complimentary forms of AF together with regular AF are weakness.
How women's Af, youth Af, various forms of recreational AF, indoor AF and 9-a-side AF together with 18-a-side AF is "weakness" is beyond me.

I know and accept that the AFL is trying to expand, but until recently I did not know that this expansion has gone beyond our shores. True expansion requires something far more tangible and effective.

"Expansion" implies AFL expansion whereas I'm interested in the spread of AF overseas.

Well the AFL is expanding.
We now have teams in Sydney, WS, Brisbane and GC and the AFL is possibly looking at a team in NZ.
The AFL recruits from overseas and has invested in countries like RSA, PNG and NZ as well as more moderate amounts in Europe.
The AFL investment has produced large numbers of AF participants and a proportion of these have resulted in school or community involvement.

Now for the spread of AF overseas.
Independent of the AFL, AF is played in an increasing number of countries due to the efforts of individuals. For most countries this is a relatively modern development
but even so some countries have risen to a reasonably sophisticated level and most countries have developed to some degree.
On my list there are over 60 countries playing regular matches of AF.

Obviously the level of involvement is very important.
AF is played in NZ. Maybe you'd like to talk about at what level or any other country for that matter.

[AFLcrap1]

This is why I request proof. Thank you, Swans4ever.

As told you. I am NOT going to post links until you ACKNOWLEDGE their content.
Ignoring the contents is NOT RESPONSIBLE IMO.

You have ignored the fact that I have acknowledged content of links provided.

You disputed the fact that AF is played in NZ. You did comment on the comments on the link but you've never actually agreed that AF is played in NZ.
Since it is agreed that AF is played in NZ I don't see the problem.

I call these factors weaknesses of Aussie Rules and not strengths.

The average person would find it very hard to see how complimentary forms of AF together with regular AF are weakness.
How women's Af, youth Af, various forms of recreational AF, indoor AF and 9-a-side AF together with 18-a-side AF is "weakness" is beyond me.

I know and accept that the AFL is trying to expand, but until recently I did not know that this expansion has gone beyond our shores. True expansion requires something far more tangible and effective.

"Expansion" implies AFL expansion whereas I'm interested in the spread of AF overseas.

Well the AFL is expanding.
We now have teams in Sydney, WS, Brisbane and GC and the AFL is possibly looking at a team in NZ.
The AFL recruits from overseas and has invested in countries like RSA, PNG and NZ as well as more moderate amounts in Europe.
The AFL investment has produced large numbers of AF participants and a proportion of these have resulted in school or community involvement.

Now for the spread of AF overseas.
Independent of the AFL, AF is played in an increasing number of countries due to the efforts of individuals. For most countries this is a relatively modern development
but even so some countries have risen to a reasonably sophisticated level and most countries have developed to some degree.
On my list there are over 60 countries playing regular matches of AF.

Obviously the level of involvement is very important.
AF is played in NZ. Maybe you'd like to talk about at what level or any other country for that matter.

If only thes teams could buy more PVC piping then the comps would really take off. :_<>
I have posted a pic of the Vietnam Swans..(not a Vietnamese in sight,)


Here are the CHINA blues.

[cos789]

You're right. The China blues are the original AF club in China (I believe)
and yes the China Blues were made up of expats.
Since that beginning there are many AF clubs in China consisting mostly of chinese players.
Not an uncommon story now. Those clubs originated created by expats are now drawing locals into the club.
Most of those expat clubs now belong to the SEAFL.
So from humble expat beginnings you now have an international AF competition.
This only goes to highlight what I have been saying in that it is the continued growth of AF
overseas is what is encouraging.

thankyou for highlightling my statement
"On my list there are over 60 countries playing regular matches of AF."
not just "On my list there are over 60 countries playing AF."

[Xman]

Since that beginning there are many AF clubs in China consisting mostly of chinese players.

Got any proof of this cos?

[cos789]

Since that beginning there are many AF clubs in China consisting mostly of chinese players.

Got any proof of this cos?

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/intern ... uan/978706

Zhang organises the Guang Do Australian Football League which was covered in some depth on the AFL Asia website. In Round 1 this year, eighty players turned up from four local teams in the Guangdo area. Of the four teams, only one contained expatriate players, with the vast majority of players being of chinese origin.

Other clubs exist in Shanghai and Beijing, Zhang says its likely that there are several schools and universities that run Australian Football programs.

http://www.AFL-asia.com/australian-foot ... ern-china/

Also in 2007 the Beijing SiShen Bombers were formed. The SiShen Bombers are made up of 100% local Chinese players mainly from Beijing Sport University. In October they played the first domestic fixture in China to be played between two 100% Chinese sides when they defeated the Tianjin Demons.

http://www.foreignercn.com/yellowpages/store-598.html

Currently playing for the Shanghai Tigers we have British, Americans, Irish, Chinese and many more, who have come to kick a ball for the first time and fallen in love with the game also. 
 
A wide variety of fitness is seen upon the ground of a game, from older men to Jerry our local Chinese footy hero (fastest man in the Chinese Army!), to ex AFL North Melbourne Kangeroos backman Shannon Watt (155 games).

http://shanghaitigers.com.cn/about-us/the-teams/

After finishing fifteenth in the 2008 International Cup, the China Red Demons went into IC2011 looking to improve as one of the more developing nations learning the game of Australian football.

They were winless in 2008 but turned that around in 2011 with two hard-fought victories against India and Timor-Leste.

The Demons finished fifth in the second division ahead of Timor-Leste.
http://aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=608

Tianjin footy oval launched

Wednesday, October 12 2011 @ 04:29 AM CST
Contributed by: Troy Thompson
Views: 2,006
Asia
The AFL has helped launch the first purpose built AFL oval in Tianjin as part of its ongoing commitment to grow Australian football in China.

The $1.5 million project is a collaboration between the City of Melbourne, the AFL and the Melbourne Football Club. They attended today’s launch along with the Vice Mayor of Tianjin Madam Zhang Junfang and the Vice Director of the Tianjin Binhai Development Investment Holding Co. Ltd.

AFL International Development Manager Tony Woods attended today’s launch in Tianjin and said the AFL was planning more activity in China, including an AFL Combine and exhibition matches.

“We see China as an important and growing market for the game and this purpose built AFL oval will enable more Chinese people to play and enjoy Australian football and showcase their talent,” he said.

“I want to thank the Vice Mayor of Tianjin Madam Zhang Junfang, the Tianjin Binhai Development Investment Holding Co. Ltd, the Melbourne Football Club and the City of Melbourne for their support to make this project possible.”

The idea for the project originated in 2005 when the then Mayor of Tianjin Dai Xianglong visited Melbourne. Following a tour of the MCG, Mayor Dai invited the Melbourne Football Club to visit Tianjin to introduce Australian football to the city.



In October 2010 the first AFL exhibition match between Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions, the Kaspersky Cup – AFL Shanghai Showdown, was played in Shanghai in front of a crowd of 7000 people and broadcast live on local television. The AFL also launched a Mandarin language website http://www.51afl.com to engage local interest in the game.



During 2011 AFL matches were broadcast weekly into China through the Shanghai Media Group on International Channel Shanghai, including the Toyota AFL Grand Final between Geelong and Collingwood.

China also fielded a team in the 2011 International Cup played in Melbourne and Sydney and a number of players of Chinese background were part of the Southern Dragons Football Club’s historic premiership in the Southern Football League.



The chief executive of the Melbourne Football Club, Cameron Schwab said it had experienced first-hand the excitement of the introduction of AFL into China.



“We look forward to supporting and being part of the AFL’s plans to further grow the game there with our own initiatives, including the creation of the Tianjin Demons to compete in the growing AFL China League,” he said.

“We’re also extremely excited about the opportunity that exists to build deeper engagement with Melbourne’s Chinese community, through a series of targeted programs and initiatives.”



Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who is currently leading a business mission in China, said the launch of the oval was a significant step in establishing the game in China.



“Melbourne is the sports capital of Australia and Melburnians are especially passionate about their football. It’s a thrill to now be sharing our love for this sport with the people of Tianjin,” the Lord Mayor said.

The City of Melbourne has also been working with the Tianjin Education Commission to develop a range of AFL training programs in primary and secondary schools.



Thanks to City of Melbourne for supplying the images that accompany this article.

Share
http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.p ... 1135253854

[cos789]

[imghttp://www.worldfootynews.com/images/articles/ ... 3854_5.jpg][/img]

[cos789]

Since that beginning there are many AF clubs in China consisting mostly of chinese players.

Got any proof of this cos?

The Guangzhou Scorpions Australian Football Club was founded in May 2010 by Club Patron, Grant “Tom” Dooley, a living legend within the Asian football scene and a group of local expatriates who had a keen interest in the game of Australian Rules Football.

From the outset, the Scorpions intent was to spread the word about the “most exciting game in the world” far and wide. They have done this with some success as the majority of the team hail from places other than Australia.
http://www.AFL-asia.com/clubs/guangzhou-scorpions/

Brian Dixon is coming to the fore in Suzhou. It's a city of over three million people (perhaps over six million regionally) and known for its gardens which are often visited by tourists as a day trip from Shanghai.

As part of the AFL's policy of "teaching the teacher", they brought two school teachers to Melbourne for training in the game, and those two trail blazers have subsequently spread the message to other teachers in Suzhou, such that the sport is now taught in 18 schools as part of physical education (PE). Hence the children, aged 7 to 10, who attended the Dees' clinic, were described as playing just as well as any Aussie kids would do.
http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.p ... 2700024085

AFL Asia oversees the following regional leagues:

South East Asia Australian Football League (SEAAFL): Was first played on 26 January, 2013, in Phnom Penh, between the Cambodian Eagles and Vietnam Swans as the EAAFL. Member clubs included the Malaysian Warriors, Cambodian Eagles, Lao Elephants, Vietnam Swans, Singapore Wombats, Jakarta Bintangs, China Reds and Thailand Tigers. Malaysia went on to win the first year. The name was ammended to SEAAFL for 2014 season

South China Australian Football League (SCAFL): Originating as games between Hong Kong teams, the League was created in 2011 to include teams from the surrounding areas in China. It comprised the Macau Lightning, Guangzhou Scorpions, Hong Kong Reds, Hong Kong Blues, Lantau Lizards and the Hong Kong Gaelic team was added in 2013. The Guandong Seagulls a primarly local Chinese team joined in 2014.

Guangdong Australian Football League (GDAFL): After experiencing Australian Football in the SCAFL local chinese teams were created and play regular “metro” footy 10-a-side round robin tournaments. Teams include Guanzhou Scorpions, University Seagulls, Dongguan Leapords and Huizhou Hawks.

North East Asia Australian Football League (NEAAFL): In 2014 we aim to introduce a North East Asia AFL that would include Beijing, Shanghai, teams from Japan and hopefully a yet to be established team from Korea.
http://www.AFL-asia.com/about/

[Swans4ever]

This is why I request proof. Thank you, Swans4ever.

As told you. I am NOT going to post links until you ACKNOWLEDGE their content.
Ignoring the contents is NOT RESPONSIBLE IMO.

You have ignored the fact that I have acknowledged content of links provided.

You disputed the fact that AF is played in NZ. You did comment on the comments on the link but you've never actually agreed that AF is played in NZ.
Since it is agreed that AF is played in NZ I don't see the problem.

I call these factors weaknesses of Aussie Rules and not strengths.

The average person would find it very hard to see how complimentary forms of AF together with regular AF are weakness.
How women's Af, youth Af, various forms of recreational AF, indoor AF and 9-a-side AF together with 18-a-side AF is "weakness" is beyond me.

I know and accept that the AFL is trying to expand, but until recently I did not know that this expansion has gone beyond our shores. True expansion requires something far more tangible and effective.

"Expansion" implies AFL expansion whereas I'm interested in the spread of AF overseas.

Well the AFL is expanding.
We now have teams in Sydney, WS, Brisbane and GC and the AFL is possibly looking at a team in NZ.
The AFL recruits from overseas and has invested in countries like RSA, PNG and NZ as well as more moderate amounts in Europe.
The AFL investment has produced large numbers of AF participants and a proportion of these have resulted in school or community involvement.

Now for the spread of AF overseas.
Independent of the AFL, AF is played in an increasing number of countries due to the efforts of individuals. For most countries this is a relatively modern development
but even so some countries have risen to a reasonably sophisticated level and most countries have developed to some degree.
On my list there are over 60 countries playing regular matches of AF.

Obviously the level of involvement is very important.
AF is played in NZ. Maybe you'd like to talk about at what level or any other country for that matter.

If only thes teams could buy more PVC piping then the comps would really take off. :_<>
I have posted a pic of the Vietnam Swans..(not a Vietnamese in sight,)


Here are the CHINA blues.

And that's why Vietnam is not at IC14

[Cracker]

This is why I request proof. Thank you, Swans4ever.

As told you. I am NOT going to post links until you ACKNOWLEDGE their content.
Ignoring the contents is NOT RESPONSIBLE IMO.

You have ignored the fact that I have acknowledged content of links provided.

You disputed the fact that AF is played in NZ. You did comment on the comments on the link but you've never actually agreed that AF is played in NZ.
Since it is agreed that AF is played in NZ I don't see the problem.

I call these factors weaknesses of Aussie Rules and not strengths.

The average person would find it very hard to see how complimentary forms of AF together with regular AF are weakness.
How women's Af, youth Af, various forms of recreational AF, indoor AF and 9-a-side AF together with 18-a-side AF is "weakness" is beyond me.

I know and accept that the AFL is trying to expand, but until recently I did not know that this expansion has gone beyond our shores. True expansion requires something far more tangible and effective.

"Expansion" implies AFL expansion whereas I'm interested in the spread of AF overseas.

"Expansion" does not have such a limited meaning. Whilst you have further demonstrated the existence of the game overseas with some rather interesting links, you still haven't addressed the weaknesses inherent in not playing the International Cup overseas and not including an Australian team in the competition. Unless I missed this in the details you provided.

[cos789]

The AFL might be thinking of expanding to NZ and Tasmania.
AF is expanding throughout the world with limited help from the AFL.
Is that better.

[Cracker]

No it's not.