Ohio is Gearing Up for Nationals
Submitted by USAFL on October 12, 2012 - 11:47am

Over the weekend of October 13 - 14, 2012 the United States Australian Football League (USAFL) will bring over 40 teams and around 1,000 of the nation’s best “Footy” players to the greater Cincinnati area. The Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) in the city of Mason will play host to the event which will have an estimated attendance of around 2,000 people and will generate over $1.5 million in economic impact for city.  This is the fifth National Tournament the USAFL has held in Ohio, the birthplace of Footy in the USA.

The largest Australian Rules Football event of the year (and one of the biggest in the world), the USAFL National Tournament brings together clubs and teams from across America to compete for five division titles, including 4 men’s and one women’s. Heritage Oak Park on State Route 42 in Mason, Ohio will be the venue for the weekend’s 60 plus games. 

Additionally there will also be a 15th Anniversary Alumni game on Sunday at 1pm for over age 40 past players, a kids clinic, Aussie food, beer, wine, music and entertainment. The official after party will be held at the Brazenhead Irish Pub Sunday night with entertainment from local band, Crazy Ex.

The tournament is proudly sponsored and supported by Coopers Beer from Australia, Boomerang Pies, Simply Australian, Home City Ice, the WCCVB, and Mason City Council Parks & Recreation.

Games will be streamed live all weekend via the Ohio Sports Radio Network, tune in online at: http://ohiosportsradio.caster.fm

Game results and photos will be posted all weekend long at the USAFL’s Facebook wall and Twitter.

Cincinnati is home to the Cincinnati Dockers which is not only a founding member club of the USAFL, but also played in the very first USAFL game in the USA way back in 1996 against Louisville. The Greater Cincinnati area not only hosted the first three USAFL National Tournaments (1997 to 1999), but Mason also hosted it's first nationals at the same venue in 2009. "The USAFL is excited to return to the Mason area after the amazing support and response we received when here in 2009" stated Rich Mann, National Tournament Director and past USAFL President.

Australian Rules Football, known worldwide as “Footy,” and no, it’s not Rugby, is a fast-paced, physically-demanding game played with the same intensity as the American style of play, but with many differences. It is played between two teams of 18 on an oval shaped field which may vary in size and could be up to 200 yards long. The game is also distinguished by the fast, relatively free movement of the ball and the awarding of a free kick for any clean catch – known as a “mark” – off a ball which has been kicked more than 15 meters. Spectacular high marks, or "spekkies", long and accurate kicking and fast, fluid play are the game's main attributes as a spectator sport.

Full event details:

What: United States Australian Football League National Tournament
(Includes 4 mens' divisons and 1 Womens' Division)

When: October, 13-14,2012 – 9am to 6pm
Finals commence at 2:00pm Sunday, click here for the full schedule »

Where: Heritage Oak Park | 4660 State Route 42 | Mason, OH 45040

Cost: FREE!

For full details visit Tournament Central » 

About the Warren County and the WCCVB

Warren County is Ohio’s Largest Playground! With easy access from Interstates 71 and 75, visitors to Warren County can enjoy more activities within a 30-mile radius, than anywhere else in Ohio. The Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a destination marketing organization whose mission is to drive tourism and overnight visitation to Warren County. Tourism is the leading industry in Warren County. The 6.4 million yearly visitors drive an economic impact of $917 million and 11,029 tourism-related jobs. For additional information, visit www.ohioslargestplayground.com.

About the United States Australian Football League

The United States Australian Football League is the sport’s national governing body within the United States. With offices in Wisconsin, the United States Australian Football League governs and sanctions competition for more than 40 clubs and 2,000 members across the United States. The United States Australian Football League is further divided into three geographic ‘zones’ within the United States: east, central and west and competition is played within these zones, culminating in the National Tournament where teams from across the country compete against each other. The United States Australian Football League also selects and trains the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams that represent the United States in international competition. More information can be found at www.usafl.com. 
Posted in 
Nationals, Event (not a game)
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