North to play Subiaco in South Africa
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:59 amhttp://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21138886-21543,00.html
Roosters take footy abroad
EXCLUSIVE:
DOUG ROBERTSON
January 30, 2007 01:15am
Article from: The Advertiser
NORTH Adelaide is heading into the South Africa wilderness to take the great Australian game to the heart of one of the most vibrant growth areas for Aussie Rules.
The intrepid Roosters - who took SANFL football to Tasmania in the 1940s, Sydney in the 1950s and Darwin in the 1960s and again last year - are planning to play WAFL premier Subiaco in South Africa, probably in October.
The proposed one-off promotional match at Potchefstroom, a one-hour drive south-west of Johannesburg, is geared to add some glamour to their state leagues and provide some gloss and incentive for the semi-professional players.
Arrangements are yet to be finalised for a 10-day tour and North general manager Glenn Elliott said it might still be delayed until March next year. But whatever the date, Subiaco chief executive Jeff Lind says the match is "a goer".
Lind broached the forward-thinking proposal when North innocently inquired about holding a pre-season trial between the clubs in Perth. "We've already made a provision for it in our financial statement for this year," Lind said. "We're totally committed to it."
Both clubs will cover their own expenses for about 40 players, support staff, officials and two umpires. Players will help pay their way through fundraising. The AFL has said it will lend a helping hand with logistics in South Africa through its established AFL-South Africa organisation. North and Subiaco players and coaches will be involved in several football clinics for the estimated 2500 locals who are already hooked on the game in South Africa's North-West Province.
Lind said the proposed trip was one way of rewarding the club's players for their considerable input over a season against the backdrop of a tight salary cap. Elliott said North did not support end-of-season "junkets" and the proposed trip had benefits for the club and players.
News of the proposal brought smiles from Roosters and former AFL midfielder Chris Ladhams, who said the trip to Darwin last year had long-lasting benefits for the club.
"It's also a fantastic promotion for North Adelaide to put the club out there," he said "Four years ago we were looking at relegation but now we're a force in the SANFL. Definitely, North Adelaide is the closest club I've been at."
SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker enthusiastically backed the idea and said the league would seek ways to offer support.
"Who knows what opportunities will come out of this for players in South Africa, in this state and nationally?" he said.
"It is exciting for a South Australian club to be profiled in that way. The AFL sees South Africa as a very important part of their program as far as international promotion is concerned." The AFL predicts 28,000 South Africans in the North-West Province will be playing Australian football by 2009.
Roosters take footy abroad
EXCLUSIVE:
DOUG ROBERTSON
January 30, 2007 01:15am
Article from: The Advertiser
NORTH Adelaide is heading into the South Africa wilderness to take the great Australian game to the heart of one of the most vibrant growth areas for Aussie Rules.
The intrepid Roosters - who took SANFL football to Tasmania in the 1940s, Sydney in the 1950s and Darwin in the 1960s and again last year - are planning to play WAFL premier Subiaco in South Africa, probably in October.
The proposed one-off promotional match at Potchefstroom, a one-hour drive south-west of Johannesburg, is geared to add some glamour to their state leagues and provide some gloss and incentive for the semi-professional players.
Arrangements are yet to be finalised for a 10-day tour and North general manager Glenn Elliott said it might still be delayed until March next year. But whatever the date, Subiaco chief executive Jeff Lind says the match is "a goer".
Lind broached the forward-thinking proposal when North innocently inquired about holding a pre-season trial between the clubs in Perth. "We've already made a provision for it in our financial statement for this year," Lind said. "We're totally committed to it."
Both clubs will cover their own expenses for about 40 players, support staff, officials and two umpires. Players will help pay their way through fundraising. The AFL has said it will lend a helping hand with logistics in South Africa through its established AFL-South Africa organisation. North and Subiaco players and coaches will be involved in several football clinics for the estimated 2500 locals who are already hooked on the game in South Africa's North-West Province.
Lind said the proposed trip was one way of rewarding the club's players for their considerable input over a season against the backdrop of a tight salary cap. Elliott said North did not support end-of-season "junkets" and the proposed trip had benefits for the club and players.
News of the proposal brought smiles from Roosters and former AFL midfielder Chris Ladhams, who said the trip to Darwin last year had long-lasting benefits for the club.
"It's also a fantastic promotion for North Adelaide to put the club out there," he said "Four years ago we were looking at relegation but now we're a force in the SANFL. Definitely, North Adelaide is the closest club I've been at."
SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker enthusiastically backed the idea and said the league would seek ways to offer support.
"Who knows what opportunities will come out of this for players in South Africa, in this state and nationally?" he said.
"It is exciting for a South Australian club to be profiled in that way. The AFL sees South Africa as a very important part of their program as far as international promotion is concerned." The AFL predicts 28,000 South Africans in the North-West Province will be playing Australian football by 2009.
Trust me there has been a flood of offers from all sorts tryring to get an official guernsey on this trip!!!