Australian Rules Europe

[therisingblues]

Saw in today's Herald Sun (advertiser sold out by 1:00 pm WTF?), that there are 8,500 people who participate in footy in Europe across 22 countries. I wonder how those numbers stack up against participation numbers in Australia. For example, how many players would there be in Sturt's zone?
Could there be a possibility of a European composite side touring the local leagues or even playing against an AFL club?
If the game continues to grow, could there be potential of a European side in a revamped state of origin series?
Sounds stupid or is there potential in this thinking?

[heater31]

How many are actually Aussies living abroad?

[therisingblues]

Good question. They article didn't mention the answer to that exactly, but it did mention that in Northern England there were 2,360 kids actively playing the game in organised classes that the AFL didn't even know about, according to a census conducted by an ex-pat.
I'd say the incidence of ex-pat aussie children in schools in northern England would be very low. I'm not sure if those kids are included in the 8,500 figure, but the AFL is getting serious about the European market, and sponsors are getting on board.
Jimmy was playing footy in New York a few years ago. He'd possibly be a good one to suggest a ball park figure of how many Aussies participated in that league. You could draw a comparative line between the US and Europe and use that as a guide I guess.

[Ruben Carter]

Saw in today's Herald Sun (advertiser sold out by 1:00 pm WTF?), that there are 8,500 people who participate in footy in Europe across 22 countries. I wonder how those numbers stack up against participation numbers in Australia. For example, how many players would there be in Sturt's zone?
Could there be a possibility of a European composite side touring the local leagues or even playing against an AFL club?
If the game continues to grow, could there be potential of a European side in a revamped state of origin series?
Sounds stupid or is there potential in this thinking?

Sounds stupid.

[therisingblues]

As in like Port Adelaide trying to tap into the Chinese market type of stupid or the fact that I didn't mention Port in my post type of stupid?

[Mr Beefy]

As in like Port Adelaide trying to tap into the Chinese market type of stupid or the fact that I didn't mention Port in my post type of stupid?

This bit

Could there be a possibility of a European composite side touring the local leagues or even playing against an AFL club?
If the game continues to grow, could there be potential of a European side in a revamped state of origin series?

[Magellan]

A European composite side would be interesting to watch, particulary at a lowwer level, although I doubt they'd have the skills and stamina to keep up with an SANFL side, let alone an AFL side. It'd certainly be more interesting than the international rules nonsense that the AFL keeps breathing life into.

I wouldn't discount the value in sourcing players from other nations, you never know what might be out there. Speaking as someone who really doesn't care too much from an AFL club perspective, it would be good for the local leagues to somehow tap into this, as a means of introducing these players to the game, and if they are up to scratch, then potentially allowing them to play at the highest level via the draft. Easier said than dne though, and getting out there and scouting for these players would probably be an exercise that only the AFL clubs could afford to do.

[therisingblues]

As in like Port Adelaide trying to tap into the Chinese market type of stupid or the fact that I didn't mention Port in my post type of stupid?

This bit

Could there be a possibility of a European composite side touring the local leagues or even playing against an AFL club?
If the game continues to grow, could there be potential of a European side in a revamped state of origin series?

Yes, maybe it is Beefy and Hurricane.
There's potential there though, perhaps. I'd say those numbers would be a little better than total number of participants in a SANFL club zone. Granted aussie rules would still be a fringe sport in Europe and likely to attract those that tend to be crap at more established sports, there is the potential to convert European handball players, which has many transferable skills. That sport is very popular in Europe I reckon it might be an unknown quantity.

[Dogwatcher]

There would be a number of those that are women, as well.
The recent Euro champs featured a women's competition.

[westozfalcon]

A European composite side would be interesting to watch, particulary at a lowwer level, although I doubt they'd have the skills and stamina to keep up with an SANFL side, let alone an AFL side. It'd certainly be more interesting than the international rules nonsense that the AFL keeps breathing life into.

I wouldn't discount the value in sourcing players from other nations, you never know what might be out there. Speaking as someone who really doesn't care too much from an AFL club perspective, it would be good for the local leagues to somehow tap into this, as a means of introducing these players to the game, and if they are up to scratch, then potentially allowing them to play at the highest level via the draft. Easier said than dne though, and getting out there and scouting for these players would probably be an exercise that only the AFL clubs could afford to do.

There'd be no worries on the fitness and stamina score. The Ireland players in International Rules run just as hard as the Aussies and they actually have to do their training outside of work hours. No spare time for tattoos and trimmed beards for those fellas.

[HH3]

there is the potential to convert European handball players, which has many transferable skills. That sport is very popular in Europe I reckon it might be an unknown quantity.

What skills from European handball are transferable to Aussie Rules?

[Stumps]

catching a ball

[the milky bar kid]

A European composite side would be interesting to watch, particulary at a lowwer level, although I doubt they'd have the skills and stamina to keep up with an SANFL side, let alone an AFL side. It'd certainly be more interesting than the international rules nonsense that the AFL keeps breathing life into.

I wouldn't discount the value in sourcing players from other nations, you never know what might be out there. Speaking as someone who really doesn't care too much from an AFL club perspective, it would be good for the local leagues to somehow tap into this, as a means of introducing these players to the game, and if they are up to scratch, then potentially allowing them to play at the highest level via the draft. Easier said than dne though, and getting out there and scouting for these players would probably be an exercise that only the AFL clubs could afford to do.

There'd be no worries on the fitness and stamina score. The Ireland players in International Rules run just as hard as the Aussies and they actually have to do their training outside of work hours. No spare time for tattoos and trimmed beards for those fellas.

Biggest myth in sport is the Irish GAA lads being amateurs!
Was having this discussion on Sunday with an Irish lad, he was sure that they worked a very hard two hours each day in the bank

[Dogwatcher]

there is the potential to convert European handball players, which has many transferable skills. That sport is very popular in Europe I reckon it might be an unknown quantity.

What skills from European handball are transferable to Aussie Rules?

Spatial awareness.

[Magellan]

there is the potential to convert European handball players, which has many transferable skills. That sport is very popular in Europe I reckon it might be an unknown quantity.

What skills from European handball are transferable to Aussie Rules?

Handballing?

[MW]

2016 season can't come quick enough hey lads...

[HH3]

A new games come out.

Apparently if you're good at this, then you'll be good at AFL Live 2



*actually just popped up on Playstation Store

[Lightning McQueen]

There would be a number of those that are women, as well.
The recent Euro champs featured a women's competition.

[therisingblues]

there is the potential to convert European handball players, which has many transferable skills. That sport is very popular in Europe I reckon it might be an unknown quantity.

What skills from European handball are transferable to Aussie Rules?

Spatial awareness.

I was thinking along these lines.

[therisingblues]

In today's messenger, page 12.
"Croatian footy team has the Blues"
Sturt has donated some guernseys to sister club "Sesvete" in Croatia. Apparently the connection is between a Sturt lad with a Croatian background, who went over there to live and got pretty involved with footy. He actually started the club and then got in contact with Sturt for the guernseys.
There's a photo but not sure how to upload.