Expansion International expansion

[cos789]

Rather than argue small points with Cos and Subprime - my point is the, the AFL should have a greater focus on developing a niche in the US.

The implication is that a "greater focus" involves a financial contribution .
South africa is a unique case with a hugecost/benefit ratio. At the moment
the AFL supplies a few deveopment officers and football gear .They are looking at staging some NAB style games there .These have predomantly
been self funded . The original game is RSA was a contractual agreement
with a pay-TV company to promote the additio of Australian Football to their stable.
Currently the AFL is looking at staging NAB games in India and the USA.
You can bet that this will depend on sponsorship for fruition .The USA is indeed a special case too .Footbal;l boomed in the USA when it was prominently on cable TV.The USA clubs have been highly innovative in expanding and consolidating the game .They have a national championship and regional leagues that could be easliy converted to a national league with conferences and playoffs.They have state leagues and metro leagues, 9-a-side that allow for the easy expansion of city leagues .They have colleges
, women and some juniors playing not only 18s and 9s , but also flag ,Auskick and Receational style football .They also have AFL back on pay-TV and a
purpose built oval perfect for Australian Football in Miami. So what is the best option to target growth ? There should be an AFL game in Miami at the new ground next year . Do you send development officers to target juniors , colleges or communities ? Do you send business promoters or organise more exhibition games or fund a national league ? Do you send negotiators to gain more media prominence ? Both Tte strength and the weakness of the USA is that it is the same size as Australia with 14 times the population .How do you best attack a country of that size ?
My personal suggestion is too fund a national league . The country is already divided into regional leagues .Most teams attend the national championships .The top teams could then play off for National Champion .
This could involve Canada too as they already send some teams .
A North American League would have a more punch to it
producing promotion and funding .
.

 

[*Crash*]

It has been said before, but different strategies for different countries. As for Ireland, having Irish guys play in the AFL will grow interest. The more there are, the more people will have a local connection to the overseas game. There is no doubt that over time interest has grown, from Jim Stynes and Sean Wight to Tadgh Kenelley and then a whole new batch in Begley, Clarke and O'hAilpin. Hopefully within the next year Hanley, Dias, Murphy and Aisake and then just look at all the kids coming trialling at the moment and Nixons upcoming camp. Unless the GAA can stop it before long every person in Ireland will be within a couple of degrees of seperation with someone in the AFL. Say what you like about what Irish people's opinions of Aussie Rules are today, that could quickly turn around.

 

[Horsebox]

It has been said before, but different strategies for different countries. As for Ireland, having Irish guys play in the AFL will grow interest. The more there are, the more people will have a local connection to the overseas game. There is no doubt that over time interest has grown, from Jim Stynes and Sean Wight to Tadgh Kenelley and then a whole new batch in Begley, Clarke and O'hAilpin. Hopefully within the next year Hanley, Dias, Murphy and Aisake and then just look at all the kids coming trialling at the moment and Nixons upcoming camp. Unless the GAA can stop it before long every person in Ireland will be within a couple of degrees of seperation with someone in the AFL. Say what you like about what Irish people's opinions of Aussie Rules are today, that could quickly turn around.

Ah yes, the training camp where all the best young players will be in attendance. Only half of them haven't even been contacted and a few of those that were have turned down the invitation.

 

[Redb]

It has been said before, but different strategies for different countries. As for Ireland, having Irish guys play in the AFL will grow interest. The more there are, the more people will have a local connection to the overseas game. There is no doubt that over time interest has grown, from Jim Stynes and Sean Wight to Tadgh Kenelley and then a whole new batch in Begley, Clarke and O'hAilpin. Hopefully within the next year Hanley, Dias, Murphy and Aisake and then just look at all the kids coming trialling at the moment and Nixons upcoming camp. Unless the GAA can stop it before long every person in Ireland will be within a couple of degrees of seperation with someone in the AFL. Say what you like about what Irish people's opinions of Aussie Rules are today, that could quickly turn around.

the degrees of separation argument is a good one. AFL clubs with Irish players should be engaging where possible the county club the player played for in Ireland.

Redb

 

[*Crash*]

I dont know about Nixons camp, I actually think there might be some conflicts of interest, and you know agents work mostly for their own pockets - and some of the names bandied around have gone for trials elsewhere. You would have to say Nixon has had the balls to put something like this together (and the cheek to try and make himself look like the good guy in all this). Time will tell whether it is a success or not.

But even if there are another 6 kids come out of that to AFL clubs that are part of it (or maybe 2 per club signed up) plus another 5 (if Brisbane take Meredith, Sydney take Coney, Carlton take Tuohy, Essendon take Ryan, Adelaide take Dias) or more to other clubs. Then thats still pretty huge in my book.

 

[Redb]

Ah yes, the training camp where all the best young players will be in attendance. Only half of them haven't even been contacted and a few of those that were have turned down the invitation.

Very early days. There is some tension between the GAA and the AFL. I bet a lot of the Irish lads feel they are betraying their code by even trialling. This will take time, but every Irish player that gets into the AFL trailblazes for others. Dont also ignore the International Rules series and its long term relationship building opportunities if they can get it right.

Redb

 

[thejester]

I would have thought it depends what you mean by 'international expansion'.

If you're talking about players, then PNG, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand are the obvious targets - with pre-existing (if minimal) examples of guys making the crossover and relatively strong indigenous competition. IIRC the AFL stated it wanted the RSA producing 10-20 players a year by 2010-11, and clubs have obviously bought into development areas - still seems unlikely unless the AFL puts a lot more money into it.

If you're talking about money - India, China, North America, where you have large middle class groups gaining access to Pay TV networks that need content. Securing anything beyond that is a bonus, IMO.

 

[*Crash*]

Ah yes, the training camp where all the best young players will be in attendance. Only half of them haven't even been contacted and a few of those that were have turned down the invitation.

Horsebox, reading Donie Kingston's comments it looks almost like someone has made him a better offer (such as finish your school next year and we guarantee you a tip down to Australia to try out with us). Probably not the only one.

Then theres those like Cavanagh that have flatly rejected offers from Carlton, would have plenty of support in Ireland and plenty in Australia that would say fair enough too.