Expansion Sth African cricket coach fears the plundering of youth for football

[wikipediaAFLproject]

http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/hunt-for-sa-talent-63354

Very interesting story. It again highlights the positives that can be gained from 'coat tailing' along on crickets international success.
It is a pity that they only get a weekly highlights show in South Africa. I would have thought that the AFL would have negotiated a deal with a broadcaster.

 

[*Crash*]

South African elite cricketers introduced to footy
Wednesday, January 14 2009 @ 09:10 PM EST
By Brett Northey

Some of South Africa's finest cricketers were introduced to Australian football and the AFL South Africa program today.

A group of South African cricketers and staff, including Johan Botha, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla and Albie Morkel, visited the Lexus Centre to meet Collingwood players and staff, including captain Nick Maxwell, Harry O’Brien, Sean Rusling and Anthony Corrie, as well as AFL staff David Matthews, Kevin Sheehan, Jason McCartney and Kevin Sheedy.

According to a press release, members of the South African touring party have developed an interest in Australian Rules football having seen how the game has grown in South Africa in recent years, with 17,300 participants now registered in South Africa. The cricketers appeared to enjoy kicking the footies around.......continues http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20090114211026821

 

[Hollow Knight]

Morne Morkel would be a handy ruckman.

 

[subanwallan]

he probably would but once he puts on weight to be a ruckmen he might become dodgy

 

[freodog]

Duminy would be an awesome forward pocket

 

[omit]

De Villers could be anything, incredibly athletic with fantastic hands. anyone know how tall he is? i did a quick google but couldn't find it

 

[mark73]

The one that springs to mind for me is Shaun Pollock. He is an example of where you can tell it's in the genes. Yes, both his father and uncle were cricketers but he's the type of athlete where just looking at his demeanor, you can tell whatever sport he turned his hand to he would end up on top.

* Both his father and uncle weren't just cricketers either, they were ****ing brilliant cricketers. Graeme Pollock was the best stroke player I've ever seen. And if you think Bill Lawry's nose is big, it was actually bigger before Peter Pollock took a few cm's off it.

 

[Blues_Man]

Plunder away !
I have no problem with AFL plundering the seth effricken youth ..If the kids are good enough then they will make it as footballers..plus, if it promotes the game in SA then even better.

 

[Golen Swans]

South African elite cricketers introduced to footy
Wednesday, January 14 2009 @ 09:10 PM EST
By Brett Northey

Some of South Africa's finest cricketers were introduced to Australian football and the AFL South Africa program today.

A group of South African cricketers and staff, including Johan Botha, Makhaya Ntini, Hashim Amla and Albie Morkel, visited the Lexus Centre to meet Collingwood players and staff, including captain Nick Maxwell, Harry O’Brien, Sean Rusling and Anthony Corrie, as well as AFL staff David Matthews, Kevin Sheehan, Jason McCartney and Kevin Sheedy.

According to a press release, members of the South African touring party have developed an interest in Australian Rules football having seen how the game has grown in South Africa in recent years, with 17,300 participants now registered in South Africa. The cricketers appeared to enjoy kicking the footies around.......continues http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20090114211026821

17,300!! Quick put a club there!

 

[SM]

There's a huge amount of support in NZ as well...

 

[jayjones1]

could be some good players in there

 

[wikipediaAFLproject]

There's a huge amount of support in NZ as well...

Perhaps there could be Sth Africa vs New Zealand series then with a national team travelling to the other country every four years to play matches against clubs and the national team.

 

[*Crash*]

Actually Mickey Arthurs doesnt fear it at all. And from the article in the OP he is an Aussie Rules fan. It may actually be a good crossover for South African cricket to have Aussie Rules use their grounds in the winter and potentially partner up with footy to bring the same kids going to Footy Wild clinics and footy into their own cricket development programmes at the same venues in the summer.

 

[yodellinhank]

Perhaps there could be Sth Africa vs New Zealand series then with a national team travelling to the other country every four years to play matches against clubs and the national team.

A tour would be a good idea. There is also currently the AFL International cup, which was held for the third time i believe last season. The finishing order was:

1. Papua New Guinea
2. New Zealand
3. South Africa
4. Ireland
5. Nauru
6. Canada
7. USA
8. Japan
9. Great Britain
10. Samoa
11. Denmark
12. Sweden
13. Peace Team
14. Finland
15. China
16. India

 

[Shinboner Schem]

Perhaps there could be Sth Africa vs New Zealand series then with a national team travelling to the other country every four years to play matches against clubs and the national team.

or we could just keep going with the triennial International Cup

 

[wikipediaAFLproject]

or we could just keep going with the triennial International Cup

The tours could take place in years when the International cup is not played. Such tours would allow the discussion of ideas and tactics for growing football.

 

[Shinboner Schem]

The tours could take place in years when the International cup is not played. Such tours would allow the discussion of ideas and tactics for growing football.

It is a decent idea, but would have to happen further down the track, as atm the players competing in the International Cup have to fund their airfare themselves