Expansion AFL booming in Colombia

[lionshine]

'Self-confidence, autonomy, renewal': Why footy's booming in Colombia

Earlier this year, a group of 10 girls aged between 14 and 16 from the conflict-zone Colombian town of Puerto Tejada came to Australia for an immersive footy experience

www.afl.com.au

Good article. Former Swans skipper Josh Kennedy has been putting some work into the region for a while. Wonder if we will see a Cat B rookie picked up from there in 20-30 years time.

 

[lionshine]

The below article provides a little more context around the growth of the game over there and Kennedy’s involvement

From Colombia to Canada: New national footy team dreams big

Sydney champion Josh Kennedy is playing a key role in Australian rules football's evolution in Colombia

www.afl.com.au

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

I'm not sure Degoey would survive a week in Medellin if the AFL decided to fixture some games there.

That said it wouldn't take much to convince me to book a return trip.

 

[Macca180]

Good article. Former Swans skipper Josh Kennedy has been putting some work into the region for a while. Wonder if we will see a Cat B rookie picked up from there in 20-30 years time.

yeah no

its basically have a kick and a beer for some xpats

hardly serious

 

[HugeJohnson]

Josh Kennedy

Swans

COLA

(Coke)

Colombia


Join the dots people.

 

[Chip Scab1]

I'm not sure Degoey would survive a week in Medellin if the AFL decided to fixture some games there.

That said it wouldn't take much to convince me to book a return trip.

Do. Chuck in a some time in Santa Marta, Cartagena & Rosario Islands. But base yourself in Poblado in Medellin. I have a place in Castropol. It's high enough that you aren't stinking hot. 18-28 every day, doesn't get much better. Rappi/(Col. Uber eats) as much as you can.

I have been 14x since 2018, worked over there during COVID (working from 'home' for Aussie Co). Have a Colombian Daughter who
should be draftable/extremely marketable in 16 years haha

I'll look up the program.

There should be heaps of Boys and Girls with a bit of speed and adequate hardness around the traps - might actually work.

 

[T2B_]

Golden opportunity for my mob, to have a sister side over there called the Cartel Blues

 

[Gavin Excell]

yeah no

its basically have a kick and a beer for some xpats

hardly serious

Yep
Booming indeed

 

[Big_Birdy]

Has there ever been a player of Columbian descent in the AFL?

I found out Adelaide has approximately 50,000 Columbians through my work last year, which seems quite high (unsure if they are drawn to Adelaide or this is standard/low compared to the rest of Australia), but in a few years we can probably expect quite a few coming through (similar to players of Sudanese descent).

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Do. Chuck in a some time in Santa Marta, Cartagena & Rosario Islands. But base yourself in Poblado in Medellin. I have a place in Castropol. It's high enough that you aren't stinking hot. 18-28 every day, doesn't get much better. Rappi/(Col. Uber eats) as much as you can.

I have been 14x since 2018, worked over there during COVID (working from 'home' for Aussie Co). Have a Colombian Daughter who
should be draftable/extremely marketable in 16 years haha

I'll look up the program.

There should be heaps of Boys and Girls with a bit of speed and adequate hardness around the traps - might actually work.

Already been and done a couple years back but thanks for the recommendations. Loved El Poblado, area is fantastic.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Has there ever been a player of Columbian descent in the AFL?

I found out Adelaide has approximately 50,000 Columbians through my work last year, which seems quite high (unsure if they are drawn to Adelaide or this is standard/low compared to the rest of Australia), but in a few years we can probably expect quite a few coming through (similar to players of Sudanese descent).

British Columbia... Colombia is a different place.

I assume you mean Colombia.

There are heaps of Colombians here for the following obvious reasons - the recent Women's Soccer game in Sydney was basically a home game for Colombia.

1. They can't get into the US, like we can. They need to apply and it can take them up to 3years to get a Visa.
2. US is super expensive for them, you need only look at the exchange rate.
3. UK is even more expensive for them. Like abnormal.
4. We speak English and are cheaper (relatively) and easier for them to get a Visa. 6-12 months v 36 for an interview in Bogota. An interview which guarantees nothing.
5. NZ i'm sure has plenty too.
6. Canada is really difficult to get into as well as get to from Colombia as you quite often would need to transit through US, which they can't.
7.There ain't that many options if you want to learn English.
8.Australia presents itself well to Colombians because of the weather and beaches (most wealthy enough Colombians live in Bogota and Medellin) ie: not close to the beach.

 

[The Feeder Club]

This entire thread, and every post in it, is a pisstake right? 50000 columbians living in Adelaide? Like for every 25 people you meet in Adelaide, one was born in Columbia. Apedrear a los cuevos!

 

[Arr0w]

Do. Chuck in a some time in Santa Marta, Cartagena & Rosario Islands. But base yourself in Poblado in Medellin. I have a place in Castropol. It's high enough that you aren't stinking hot. 18-28 every day, doesn't get much better. Rappi/(Col. Uber eats) as much as you can.

I have been 14x since 2018, worked over there during COVID (working from 'home' for Aussie Co). Have a Colombian Daughter who
should be draftable/extremely marketable in 16 years haha

I'll look up the program.

There should be heaps of Boys and Girls with a bit of speed and adequate hardness around the traps - might actually work.

Do tell

 

[Linda Lovelace]

Has there ever been a player of Columbian descent in the AFL?

I found out Adelaide has approximately 50,000 Columbians through my work last year, which seems quite high (unsure if they are drawn to Adelaide or this is standard/low compared to the rest of Australia), but in a few years we can probably expect quite a few coming through (similar to players of Sudanese descent).

Do you work at The Onion by any chance?

 

[Macca180]

Loved El Poblado, area is fantastic.

Once was.
It's become a cesspit of prostitutes and gringos.

Tons of foreigners getting drugged, robbed and even murdered now with scopamine (gringo simp juice).

Fresh meat off the plane like lambs to the slaughter.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Once was.
It's become a cesspit of prostitutes and gringos.

Tons of foreigners getting drugged, robbed and even murdered now with scopamine (gringo simp juice).

Fresh meat off the plane like lambs to the slaughter.

You do have to be careful. Showing off how rich you are isn't advised, certainly don't wear a watch or flash cash. I'm a daytime operator as I have a 2 year old, but yeah, bad shit happens to people if you take the wrong turn in the wrong part of town.

Cartagena is much dodgier, than Medellin... only a matter of time there. Santa Marta I always felt safe. Never stepped out of Bogota Airport so wouldn't know, although i've been to that Airport at least 20 times. My only advice is take a jacket.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Once was.
It's become a cesspit of prostitutes and gringos.

Tons of foreigners getting drugged, robbed and even murdered now with scopamine (gringo simp juice).

Fresh meat off the plane like lambs to the slaughter.

Scopolamine is no joke. Almost certain I saw some poor bloke get done with it by two girls dragging him out of the club like a zombie and down a dark alleyway.

With that said, as someone who doesn't tend to indulge in clubbing etc I loved my time there despite the things you listed. Got to have your wits about you in South America... Bolivia by far the more dangerous of the two though imo. Crazy country.

 

[Pistol Night]

Scopolamine is no joke. Almost certain I saw some poor bloke get done with it by two girls dragging him out of the club like a zombie and down a dark alleyway.

With that said, as someone who doesn't tend to indulge in clubbing etc I loved my time there despite the things you listed. Got to have your wits about you in South America... Bolivia by far the more dangerous of the two though imo. Crazy country.

Lucky you're one tough unit then

 

[Chip Scab1]

Do tell

Just nifty little Eddie Betts', you only have watch their forwards in roundball to know they'd be ok. If you have any love of round ball and it's history or present it would come down to 'Colombia, can't defend for shit, can produce the odd forward with skill and talent'. Luis Diaz of 'pool, James of Real Madrid spring to mind. The only good defender they ever had, Escobar, they killed after his own goal in the '94 World Cup.

"The 2 Escobars" doco on ESPN is one the absolute best.