Aker can see our game being big in Asia.

[*Crash*]

I am sure that I have seen in recent times a report that all races have the potential to grow to the same body sizes given correct diet and good health in their youth (with obvious variances genetically limited within all races). As such we see all races getting bigger as correct diet, and better health comes into play around the world. It is the kids of today after all that are relavent not the general population.

 

[fishmonger]

3kzisfootball I'm impressed. Whilst I don't share your opinion that Aussie Rules will be limited to Australia (I know you didn't say that, but you did say you were skeptical) you accept that we are dealing with a good game.

It find it disappointing how quickly people dismiss Australian football's chances overseas. Anyway I don't have time to go into a huge argument about why I feel the way I do etc. but I do think that in 2008 you should get along to see the 3rd International Cup. I think everyone would be impressed at how big the programs have grown when you consider the very small timeframe we are talking about and that almost all were set up (and predominantly maintained) with no AFL funds.

The only advantage footy has in South Africa is that they have introduced the sport as an avenue to overcome black/white difficulties following apatheid and therefore it has government endorsement etc.

Anyway as I said before check out www.worldfootynews.com if you are interested.

This Fourth Quarter blog also has some pretty interesting research and photos
http://fourth-quarter.blogspot.com

 

[1908]

We've had two London schools drop soccer from the curriculum and replace it with Aussie Rules. It's no longer just an Australian game.

This is what's wrong with you AFL guy's, you are unable to share with other codes, you have to take over and be the only game. Quite sad really.

 

[fishmonger]

This is what's wrong with you AFL guy's, you are unable to share with other codes, you have to take over and be the only game. Quite sad really.

I don't think that is true at all 1908.

They weren't forced to drop soccer. They probably just found Australian Rules to offer the same or added value to their cirriculum. I'm sure if the school wanted to keep soccer, they could easily run both side-by-side. We don't go around asking schools to sign exclusive contracts. Keep in mind that these were the first and only schools to actually play our game, you could argue that the whole country was shutting us out, but that is a very negative and antagonistic view. What clarkey was saying is testament to the success of one small step in the direction for our game.

As for co-existence .... my high school in Queensland (in fact the entire GPS system) wouldn't allow Australian Rules to be played at all (because it conflicted with rugby), but they would allow soccer. In New South Wales, Aussie Rules was kicked off enclosed grounds by the rugby league. Now that is what I call unwillingness to share. Quite sad really.

 

[Ted Ed Fred]

This is what's wrong with you AFL guy's, you are unable to share with other codes, you have to take over and be the only game. Quite sad really.

Rugby people in NSW and Qld are exactly the same.

What about Phil Gould's recent paranoid outburst in the SMH. Or those Gorilla's on 'The Back Page' who dedicate a token 5 minutes chat to AFL because they have to but can barely hide their hatred and distrust for the game.

All because a few kids are taking up footy in 'rugby league heartland'. Quite sad really.

 

[Ted Ed Fred]

As for co-existence .... my high school in Queensland (in fact the entire GPS system) wouldn't allow Australian Rules to be played at all (because it conflicted with rugby), but they would allow soccer. In New South Wales, Aussie Rules was kicked off enclosed grounds by the rugby league. Now that is what I call unwillingness to share. Quite sad really.

Exactly. Even the premier of Queensland came out and had a cry because a few kids choose to play AFL over rugby. People in NSW and Qld especially are very insulated, compared to say Melburnians who are a bit more open minded and modern. They remind me a lot of the southern states of America. Both are equally paranoid of "Mexicans".

 

[morphous]

Exactly. Even the premier of Queensland came out and had a cry because a few kids choose to play AFL over rugby. People in NSW and Qld especially are very insulated, compared to say Melburnians who are a bit more open minded and modern. They remind me a lot of the southern states of America. Both are equally paranoid of "Mexicans".

A lot of private schools up here play AFL now, I believe they have their own comp set up with AFLQ.

 

[cos789]

This is what's wrong with you AFL guy's, you are unable to share with other codes, you have to take over and be the only game.

No , the schools found that playing a new sport put students on a level playing field . Obviously soccer nuts would have a multitude of competitions of their own . How about a little pride for a change and support Australia making a difference in the Northern hemisphere .

.

 

[1908]

Fishmonger wrote:

Aussie Rules was kicked off enclosed grounds by the rugby league. Now that is what I call unwillingness to share. Quite sad really.

Now I know you don't know what you're talking about. Once again, there are two forms of rugby, I think you will find it is rugby union that forced you off the fields, just as they have done to rugby league all over the world.

 

[Butane]

Fishmonger wrote:



Now I know you don't know what you're talking about. Once again, there are two forms of rugby, I think you will find it is rugby union that forced you off the fields, just as they have done to rugby league all over the world.

Your right. The AFL needs Rugby League, because the AFL always needs a little bitch.

 

[WFN2004]

It grew with the nation. Mainly in Victoria but there is a link between the Gold rushes, the boom experienced in the 1890's, the depressions of that era and the 1930's etc.

Just a slight correction there. Mainly in Victoria AND SA AND WA AND Tasmania - as big in all of those (per capita and all that). It's been the number 1 winter sport in SA for well over a century, and probably similar for WA and Tas. (Just making sure you weren't thinking that footy in these states started with the AFL, as some younger people seem to be mislead these days.... I'm an old 34 y.o. who remembers the old days!).

I would also say that a South African with any sporting prowess I suspect would go for soccer. Not because it is necessarily a better sport, but because the potential returns and possiblities are much greater.

Except there are 100s of 100s of them that don't get exposed to organised sport. A huge pool for the AFL to tap into.

 

[WFN2004]

AFL in Asia, you have got to be phaaaarkin kidding! There is no chance AFL will be enjoyed by any other states other than Victoria and Western Australia. South Australia doesn't count as they are proof that Tasmanians can swim, And Tasmania, well the less said the better.

I continue to be bemused by people who think they're being clever with this line whereas it indicates they something less than that, or at least geographically challenged. Vic and Tas are the ones next to each other separated by water..... SA is a long way off. The saying is that Tasmanians are proof Vics can swim, or vice versa, but somehow gets hijacked by people who turn it around to SA (might as well be NT or QLD) and miss the point completely.

 

[WFN2004]

Fishmonger wrote:



Now I know you don't know what you're talking about. Once again, there are two forms of rugby, I think you will find it is rugby union that forced you off the fields, just as they have done to rugby league all over the world.

And soccer demands to be called football and screw everyone else already calling their code that. They use the term Australian Football even - the exact same name as our code. So add soccer and union (as you pointed out above) to your list of codes that won't share. And league as someone else pointed out. Funny that, most sports want people to play their game not the others.

 

[1908]

Just like union, AFL is a game for bullies.

 

[Sir_Adrian84]

Rugby people in NSW and Qld are exactly the same.

What about Phil Gould's recent paranoid outburst in the SMH. Or those Gorilla's on 'The Back Page' who dedicate a token 5 minutes chat to AFL because they have to but can barely hide their hatred and distrust for the game.

All because a few kids are taking up footy in 'rugby league heartland'. Quite sad really.

i don't agree, I don't see rugby (either code) trying to take over the world.

Soccer people do want to take over the world. See on the website BigSoccer what they think of any country who doesn't have soccer as a religion (especially US, Canada).

 

[fishmonger]

I continue to be bemused by people who think they're being clever with this line whereas it indicates they something less than that, or at least geographically challenged. Vic and Tas are the ones next to each other separated by water..... SA is a long way off. The saying is that Tasmanians are proof Vics can swim, or vice versa, but somehow gets hijacked by people who turn it around to SA (might as well be NT or QLD) and miss the point completely.

They'd have to be bloody good swimmers.
Takes an entire day by ferry.
I suppose by that logic Australia is proof that New Zealanders can swim

 

[fishmonger]

Fishmonger wrote:



Now I know you don't know what you're talking about. Once again, there are two forms of rugby, I think you will find it is rugby union that forced you off the fields, just as they have done to rugby league all over the world.

Actually they both did.

In response, the proponents of the Australian game formed the NSW Football Association in 1880 and in 1881 the first Australian rules game between NSW and Victoria was played in Sydney. The NSWFA was small, with only a few clubs, including the Waratahs who switched code in 1882, and competition did not begin in earnest until 1889, when clubs competed for the Flanagan Cup. Having trouble gaining access to enclosed grounds, and therefore gate receipts, the association also had trouble with antagonism between its clubs, and it collapsed in 1893.[1]

The NSW Football League was born on February 12, 1903 at a meeting held in the YMCA Hall in George St. The NSWFL promoted the game in schools and the Victorian Football League (VFL) held premiership matches in Sydney in an effort to establish the code. In 1908, largely through the switch of codes by the talented Dally Messenger, rugby league established itself into the culture of Sydney, and although Australian Football remained popular, the NSWFL was again denied access to enclosed grounds and the new professional code further drew players from the NSWFL. By 1911, Australian rules had achieved more support than rugby union, according to The Referee, but only because the main rival was now rugby league.[2]

First rugby union, but AR managed to hang on.
Then rugby league, and that was probably the death knell for AR. It is amazing at all that the Australian game managed to survive at all. However, slowly but surely it had grown in popularity - until the arrival of the Swans from Melbourne.

That was a very stupid error of judgement by the VFL, and something which the current Melbourne-centric administration tried to do again with the Kangaroos.

Thankfully, the AFL decided to invest in keeping the club alive and buying them a premiership, otherwise our code would be forever in the dark ages in the country's most populous city.

And what does all this have to do with Akers comments ??? I wouldn't know. I don't think he'd even know this much about our game's history. But he isn't as dumb as most people think.

 

[cos789]

And soccer demands to be called football and screw everyone else already calling their code that.

If they really want me to call it Football football then Ok .
You'd think that they'd learn from playing Association football in a league .
Rugby Union has confused people by playing in a league when there is a game called Rugby league that shold be played in a Rugby League league but isn't . Take the WARL (please do) . Is that the WA Rugby league or WA Rugby League.......seems to be something missing .

.

 

[davidgoes4wce]

yeah its funny these days

all sports changing their names

Soccer---> Football--- A League (trying to confuse us with Rugby Leage)

Rugby League<--- > rugby union

AFL--> Footy-> Aussie rules


all sorts of different terminology these days

 

[BrendotheJet]

AFL big in Asia?









HA.


and, to the goose in the first page who said that a team in Japan would draw 30k in the first ten years...sod off. I've been to Japan and there is nowhere to put an AFL field.

 

[Sir_Adrian84]

he never said it would become big, he said in the future the AFL should consider a team there

gee some people are getting worked up, if the AFL wants to expand or get outside interest why shouldn't they

i doubt they will have a team there (nor would I want one there or anywhere o/s), logistically it is too hard to have teams fly 12 hours week in week out (singapore at 7 hours is hard enough), but why not try to get a niche. Play a practice game there. Maybe they could get some support or maybe its a failure.

 

[40010]

AFL big in Asia?









HA.


and, to the goose in the first page who said that a team in Japan would draw 30k in the first ten years...sod off. I've been to Japan and there is nowhere to put an AFL field.

Hm that's funny because Japan has hosted to AFL (VFL) matches already. The crowds were:
-13,000
-25,000
By no means poor crowds.

 

[cos789]

Hm that's funny because Japan has hosted to AFL (VFL) matches already. The crowds were:
-13,000
-25,000
By no means poor crowds.

And that was before the advent of the Japan AFL and Nippon AFL .

 

[davidgoes4wce]

I must admit I like the idea still, I think if we were talking about travel, maybe it could be scheduled in terms of say 4 games home, 4 games away like that. Like super 14 rugby in blocks

 

[40010]

I suppose it also raises the question: Could we have an AFL Asia like NFL Europe.

What I mean is that the travel between Aus and Jap is probably too far to realistically have a footy team in the AFL there, but could Asia support a pro Aussie Rules league of their own?

At the moment they don't have the quality of players to have many local players competing in it, but they do have amateur leagues who could serve as feeder leagues to the clubs and with a financial incentive you could get SANFL/WAFL/VFL players to go accross. This would gain media attention over there, raise our game's profile and hopefully get more foreigners kicking footies (All without upsetting Aussie fans who lose their AFL team to Asia if you simply relocated a team to Japan).

Of course money is the issue as always, but if they follow a similar set up to the A League where you buy your licence, I suppose it could happen. Trouble is who is going to spend a few million dollars on what would be a 'risky' investment.