What's In Store For 2013?

The USAFL Board met over the weekend of January 12-13 in Austin, Texas for the Board's Annual Planning Meeting. A large number of topics were discussed and debated. The final outcomes will be communicated and implemented over coming months. A brief outline of the main accomplishments include:

AFL Affiliation

The AFL International Affiliate Agreement, which is in place through 2016 was reviewed and accepted as well as the 2013 AFL Grant Conditions and the 2012 Financial Report, which will be submitted to the AFL on February 1 as part of the 2012 Annual Report.

New USAFL Positions

Doren James was appointed as the National Tournament Director for 2013. Doren will also continue in his role as Operations Manager.

Dan Sarbacker, former Vice President Central was appointed to the position of Strategic Development Manager, a new portfolio position that will primarily oversee the development of the League’s sponsorship program.

Additionally a webmaster will be contracted for 2013 and will be advertised in the coming weeks.

Club & Player Registration

The 2013 USAFL Player Registration rates were set along with USAFL Club rates and ratings, which remain mostly unchanged. Additionally, a player must accrue their 3 Nationals points with the team they will play for at Nationals and may only accrue a maximum of 1 full point for Metro games (2 games at half a point each).

Full details of this years player rates will be covered in a further press release along with details of changes to the League Management System.

2013 Nationals Dates Set

With the Austin City Limits music fesitval taking over the city of Austin during the first 2 weeks of October, the National Tournament will see a change in it’s traditional weekend this year. The tournament will be held October 19-20 following the enormous music festival.

“The hotels and resources required to run Nationals are expensive and proving hard to come by during our traditional week (Oct 12-13)” said USAFL Nationals Director Doren James, “and the board were in agreement that the 19th and 20th make the most sense for this year’s tournament”.

Sponsorship & Promotion

The USAFL has secured a partnership deal with Fox Soccer Plus and will commission the development of a new 30 second USAFL advertisement that will air twice during all AFL matches on Fox Soccer Plus during the 2013 season. Additionally, the website will receive a minor facelift and will be launched prior to the first ad going to air.  Clubs are encouraged to contact VP Central Andrew Werner, if they have video footage that the league can utilize or have any questions.

Overall, 2013 promises to be an exciting year for the League!