USFooty Newsletter - June 2002

U23 Revolution to Darwin!

Submitted by Chris Adams - secretary@usfooty.com

The USAFL in conjunction with USA Athletes International is excited to announce the entry of an under 23 Revolution (US National) Australian Football Team for the 2003 Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia May 17 24.

This team will consist of the best footy players in the US who are US citizens and under 23 years of age. This team represents the future of footy in the US and maybe even the future of footy in Australia! It is hoped that this is the beginning of a great relationship between the USAFL, USA Athletes International and the Arafura Games.

USA Athletes International is coordinating the US Team for the Arafura Games and is sending teams in soccer, volleyball, basketball and a number of other sports. USA Athletes International will pay for the Head Coach and an Assistant Coach to attend the Games, it will also provide travel, accommodation and logistical support.

Nominations for Head Coach of the U23 Revolution team are now open!

A panel appointed by the USAFL Board will be reviewing applicants and making a recommendation to the Board. The panel consists of Denis Ryan (Revolution Coach), Paul OKeeffe (At-Large and College Development), Chris Adams (Secretary and Game Development), and Seth McElvaney (SEAFL President). The selection of Head Coach will be based on the following criteria:

• Coach Accreditation (prefer Level 2 AFL Accreditation).
  
• Head Coach Experience (prefer Head Coach of USAFL Division 1 team).
  
• Playing Experience (prefer AFL Senior experience).
  
• Education (prefer University Degree).
  
• Organizational Experience (prefer someone who has shown a willingness and an ability to undertake the difficult tasks required in getting an amateur team to Darwin).

Applications must be to Andrea Caesar (officemanager@usfooty.com) by midnight July 31st.

Discount information from Australian Products Company

Submitted by Andrea Caesar officemanager@usfooty.com

The USAFL National Office Manager want to remind clubs that if you're planning any events or functions and are looking for some authentic Australian food and products, you don't have to look any further.

The USAFL has teamed up with Australian Products Company (A.P.C.) to offer our members a 10% discount and our member clubs a 20% discount with A.P.C. You can check out A.P.C. at http://www.aussieproducts.com. Please look for an email to come out later this week detailing the specific discounts.

Philadelphia Crows, Philadelphia Phillies team up

Submitted by Andrew Lochhead - TRSandrew@aol.com

Andrew Lochhead sent information about the Philadelphia Crows relationship with the Philadelphia Phillies, the local Major League Baseball (MLB) team.

The Philadelphia Crows are proud to be included in a promotion of the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball Team. The Phillies have shown interest in our sport because of an event that they are running on Father's Day. The Phillies are giving away Aussie Bush Hats to the men as part of the Father's Appreciation Day/Chevrolet Men's Aussie Bush Hats promotion.

The 1JUN02 game against the Baltimore Washington Eagles will feature the B/W Eagle and the Crows. In addition to the game, the Comcast/Phillies camera crews will be on site filming the game. The Philly Phanatic will be there hamming it up as usual for the camera. (Unfortunately, because of the hot weather on the day of the game, the Philly Phanatic had to cancel his appearance)

On Sunday, 16 June, the Crows will be the guests of the Phillies, attending the Phillies game and watching the Crows/Eagles game being played on the giant screen at the stadium. The 50 Crows and supporters will all be sitting in the same section at the stadium. The game tape will be played on the big screen for the Father's Day crowd and the Crows will be recognized during the game. The Crows Social Coordinator, TJ Thompson, arranged this special opportunity for the Crows. The Crows will wear their Crows shirts at the game to identify the special group to the baseball fans. Area Footy fans are encouraged to be part of the Fathers Day actives at the Phillies game.

For more information about the Philadelphia Crows Australian Football Club, please check http://www.phillycrows.homestead.com/ or The Philadelphia Crows Australian Rules Football Club.

Three Denver Bulldogs hit the 50 Footy game plateau

Submitted by Paul Renouf - PRenouf@RWBeck.com

Three members of the Denver Bulldogs played their 50th game of footy in the US during the Kansas City Tournament on May 18-19 2002. Jim 'Pickles' Baldwin, Matt 'Hands' Dainauski, and Greg Merritt have never missed a Denver Bulldogs USAFL game since the club's inception in 1999. Congratulations go out to these "veterans" for their landmark achievement.

For more coverage of the Denver Bulldogs, please check http://www.denverbulldogs.com for photos and scores from the Bulldogs games and tournaments.

CAFL Season 2002 Best and Fairest Voting

From the California Australian Football League Web Site - http://www.calfooty.com

Chad Martin of the Phoenix Scorpions polled 26 votes for the season to win the 2002 Ramada Plaza West Hollywood CAFL Best & Fairest Award. Last year's winner, Chris Stiegler, finished in second place with 19 votes and Donovan Trost (SD) and Chris Olson (OC) tied for third place with 17 votes.

For the full story, including the voting and photos, click over to the CAFL Web Site at http://www.calfooty.com.

Kansas City Power USAFL National Information

Submitted by Mark Wheeler - mark-wheeler@kcpower.com

Kansas City will be hosting the 2002 Nationals in October and are trying to put together a tournament that will be fun for the whole family. The location for the Nationals, related functions, and Hotel rooms are first class with many free activities in the area. The location is also situated near plenty of nightlife that is within ten minutes of the hotel.

We are planning to have a live band at the function on the Saturday night of the Nationals with a sit down meal to make it a great night.

On the Sunday night we are planning "A BUS PUB CRAWL" which will start at the Westin Hotel and finish at the Plaza. The 50 seat bus will be available for the evening and discounted beverage tickets will be available.

A show of hands towards these events will be appreciated to work on the planning aspects for the functions and the Pub Crawl. Please contact Wheels with your questions and requests for more information at mark-wheeler@kcpower.com so we can set the wheels in motion.

For more information about the Kansas City Power, please check http://www.kcpower.com

NY Magpies ANZAC Day BBQ Raises US$1,000 for War Veterans

Submitted by Sean Keenan - marketing@nyfooty.com

It was large, and The Pies were in charge. The New York Magpies Football Clubs inaugural ANZAC Day Barbeque Party on April 27th was an unparalleled success, raising US$1,000 for Australian War Veterans.

Blessed with near perfect Saturday afternoon weather, the event drew over 600 people seeking to soak up the sun, and taste the Australian-style barbeque, meat pies, Coopers beer and music on hand. Beginning as a casual barbeque on the Hudson River early in the afternoon, the party culminated with the revelers dancing until late.

Live entertainment was provided by Dan and Kev and Mick Thomas of Weddings Parties Anything fame. DJ Leigh took over afterwards, and took the reveling crowd through into the night with his collection of Australian music.

In true ANZAC Day tradition, a minute silence was held; however at dusk, not dawn. Club President Peter Gurry said, It was great to see so many Australians and Americans enjoying the festivities and the ANZAC Day tradition.

And festive it was, as the photos attest. They are posted on the Magpies website, www.nyfooty.com, for all to see.

The New York Magpies are New Yorks only Australian Football team and the winners of Division Two of the 2001 USAFL National Championships. If you would like to learn more about future Magpies social events or even play football for the Magpies, log on to www.nyfooty.com

The New York Magpies on Australias A Current Affair

Submitted by Sean Keenan - marketing@nyfooty.com

The Channel Nine nightly television program, A Current Affair, recently filmed the New York Magpies for a story on the development of Australian Rules Football in the U.S. The story was aired on Australian TV on Friday, May 3rd. A recording can be viewed on the Magpies website, www.nyfooty.com

The TV crew recorded the annual State of Origin game, an intra-club rivalry between Victorian players and those from the rest of Australia, at Van Cortland Park in The Bronx on March 30th. The non-Australian players were split between the two teams.

The contest, which resulted in a narrow victory to the Victorian team, allowed the Magpies to brush off their off-season cobwebs and test their new recruits.

Peter Gurry, Magpies President, said, Of particular interest to the television crew was the reaction to the game by local people. The crew also captured post match celebrations and recorded comments from the Collingwood President, Eddie McGuire.

As one of the clubs founders, Erik Chucky Kallhovd found himself the focus of much of the cameras attention. I think this will be a great way for Australians to recognize the efforts and challenges required to develop Aussie Rules in the United States, he said. We all had a lot of fun doing the filming and the crew were magnificent.

If you would like to find out more about the New York Magpies, view the A Current Affair story, or would even like to play football for the Magpies, see www.nyfooty.com

New Yorker to train with Port Adelaide Magpies in 2003

Submitted by Sean Keenan - marketing@nyfooty.com

The New York Magpies Football Club is pleased to announce that they have reached an historic agreement with the Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club. The program, the first for a US-based Australian Rules Football club, means that one of New Yorks non-Australian players will be given the opportunity to train and play with the Port Adelaide Magpies in the 2003 season.

New York Magpies President, Peter Gurry, said, "It is a privilege to be involved with the renowned Port Adelaide Magpies. I believe this agreement will provide added incentive for our local players to try out and improve their Australian Rules football skills while developing the game in the New York region."

The deal was a year in the making, with discussions between the two clubs led by the former New York Magpies President, Jeff Farnham, who sought to boost the recruitment of non-Australian players. "With the transient nature of the Australian expatriate players, it is normally left to our American players to provide a long-term foundation for the club, said Mr. Farnham.

Under the terms of the agreement:

The New York Magpies will send a select non-Australian player to Adelaide during the 2003 football season for a period of up to 3 months.
The player will train and play with Port Adelaide Magpies or Port Districts, depending on evaluation by Port Adelaide.
The New York Magpies will pay for all travel and insurance expenses while the player will be responsible for all other expenses. Port Adelaide will provide the player with accommodation in the form of billeting or equivalent.

James Paterson, the New York Magpies Coach, is confident that the chosen player will rise to the Port Adelaide challenge. "While they may not have the junior-level experience of their Australian counterparts, he said, our American recruits have adapted to the game extremely quickly. Immersion in a football culture like that seen in South Australia will only speed their development and improve the level of football back in the United States when they return."

The decision on which player will travel to Adelaide will ultimately be decided by the Club's Committee, based on game performances throughout the 2002 USAFL season. Our representative will not necessarily be the best American player in the team, said Mr. Paterson, we will also be looking at other important aspects, such as effort at training and contribution to the club."

Paul Belton, C.E.O of the Port Adelaide Magpies, said, This agreement gives Port Adelaide an opportunity to be closely involved in the international development of Australian Rules Football while providing diversity to the Port Adelaide framework. It is a pleasure to be involved with the New York Magpies and I am very much looking forward to introducing the new player into the South Australian Magpies nest.

The New York Magpies have kicked off their partnership with Port Adelaide with an AUS$500 (US$270) contribution to the Port Adelaide Magpies True Believers Fund. Every proud Magpie devotee in the world should join us in supporting the mighty Magpies, said Mr. Gurry.

Dallas Magpies - Barney and the Juniors

Submitted by Scott Hunt - BSinBigD@aol.com

Hats are off to Barney Rinaldi and the fabulous job he is doing with our juniors program. The juniors were scheduled to have their first official game during our tournament in April. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas and rained it out. Undaunted, Barney rescheduled the game for May 8, and this time, the event came off without a hitch.

Our junior team, the Dallas Outlaws, emerged victorious over the Meadowview Rams. The final score:

Dallas Outlaws: 9.6.60

Meadowview: 6.8.44

For more information on the game and our juniors program, visit our web site at http://www.dallasfooty.com

CAFL Grand Final

San Diego Lions vs. Phoenix Scorpions

Doyle Park Recreation Center

8175 Regents Rd, San Diego

Saturday, June 22 @ 4:00pm

For a listing of posted USFooty activities and games go to Upcoming Events on the USFooty website.

Dallas Magpies - Houston bound

Submitted by Scott Hunt - BSinBigD@aol.com

I dont know about everyone else, but I really look forward to our monthly Black & White matches. And thats even double for the next one. Thats because the next match will be June 8 in Houston. Thats not a typo. Were going down to the Bayou City to for a Black & White!

Its all part of our ongoing efforts to get a team going in Houston. Having an in-state rival will give us more opportunities to play games closer to home, saving traveling time and costs.

Weve got a group of contacts in Houston who will join us, and they are rarin to go. We hope with a little push from us, theyll be able to start recruiting and developing their team. With Houston only a few hours away, we will leave Saturday morning and play in the afternoon. The game will be early enough so that you can return to Dallas immediately after the game, although if there is enough interest, we can see about arranging evening activities.

I hope everyone will make an effort to go down to Houston. This will be a great opportunity to grow the sport in Texas. Please let Leroy Ellis, tntech@home.com, know if you can participate.

Do you have information for the USFooty Newsletter?

Please submit your news to Sid Caesar. Please email to executivedirector@usfooty.com. Please include a return email and a telephone number in case more information is needed.

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- Sid Caesar
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