July 2002 USFooty Newsletter

CAFL Grand Final

From the CAFL Website www.calfooty.com

CAFL 2002 Premiers: San Diego Lions

The train just keeps on rolling! On Saturday, in front of a good-sized crowd, the San Diego Lions captured their fourth successive premiership downing Phoenix 19.15.130 to 4.5.29. The Scorpions in their first grand final appearance came out hard early, but the class of the Lions showed in the second and third quarters as they put on 13 goals to their opponents single major. San Diego veteran, Justin McLarty, was voted best afield.

For more about the 2002 CAFL Grand Final, go to www.calfooty.com

AUSSIE RULES IN THE BAY

Submitted by Leigh Barnes

Well, it was a long time coming, but on June 8, 2002, the Golden Gate Australian Football League (GGAFL) finally kicked off its inaugural season, with a spirited clash between Marin and San Francisco at Greer Park, in Palo Alto. To date, we have had two games, with the level of skill (and fitness) picking up as we go. It was great to welcome back tried and true friends, but the real revelation has been the amount of new blood that we have witnessed so far this season. Not only ex-pats, attracted to footy in the bay area rather than the constant travel of the past, but Americans too, who are having their first taste of our grand old game, and I hope, loving it.

Our season will extend for 4 months, culminating in the GGAFL Grand Final on October 5, and then the National Championships on October 18,19,20 in Kansas City. We cordially invite one and all, who would like to get involved in any way shape or form, to come on down to one of our games, or to visit our website at www.ggafl.com and see what has been happening over the course of the season. The games schedule is posted on the site, along with directions on how to get to the ground, so dust of your boots, or just grab the esky and a lounge chair, and head on over for a great afternoon of watching Aussie Rules in the Bay. We would love to have you.

U23 Revolution July Update

Submitted by Chris Adams

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 O'Keeffe (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

Head Coach Experience

Playing Experience

Education

Organizational Experience

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

"This relationship with USA Athletes International and the Arafura Games provides the USAFL with a great opportunity to develop both its players and its coaches. To that end we are looking for a coach that has good organizational ability as well as an ability to develop football talent. There are a number of coaches around the league that have shown that ability, hopefully they will be interested in the position. While there are no requirements for the position, the criteria that will be used to judge candidates includes, AFL Coaching Accreditation, playing experience, coaching experience and education." Denis Ryan, Revolution Coach.

Revolution Announces Player Call-Ups

Submitted by Paul "Plugger" O'Keeffe, Revolution Team Manager

Only 8 weeks till the Inaugural International Cup!

The American Revolution, the National Australian Football team of the United States, is proud to announce the call-up of three alternates:

BJ Gambaro (St Louis Blues)

Andy Lindsey (Orange County Bombers)

Matt Jagger (St Louis Blues)

These players have been called up to replace three players that have been forced to withdraw from the team due to either injuries or personal reason. These players are:

Jon Bacon (Boston Demons)

Mike Herstein (San Diego Lions)

Jared Schreiber (Phoenix Scorpions)

Two players have also been called up to the Alternate list to ensure the selectors continue to have options across all positions in case we are required to call-up additional players. The new alternates are:

George Lakomy (Boston Demons)

Mark Larson (San Diego Lions).

If you would like to support the American Revolution you can do so with a tax-deductible contribution and a free Revolution souvenir at usfootystore.com

Please welcome all players to the team and congratulate them on the opportunity to represent their country.

AFL Live 03 is coming to USFootystore.com this Summer!

Submitted by Chris Adams

Finally, the first full action AFL game in many years - AFL LIVE 03 - is on its way!

The USAFL and Acclaim Entertainment are excited to announce that usfootystore.com will be carrying the newest FULL ACTION AFL game, Acclaim's AFL Live 03, along with Acclaim's other great AFL games including Kevin Sheedy's Coach 02 (available now).

Take the Mark of The Year! Kick the snaps from the boundary! Bounce through the center and kick a giant drop punt! Play the best footy of your life. Play AFL Live 03!

According to Acclaim's Gavin Rundle, "AFL Live 03 is looking fantastic. All the major grounds are represented in high detail, Gabba, SCG, MCG, Football Park, Subiaco & Docklands. The game play is also fantastic with all player movements from motion capture. This is going to go off"

RATED "E" FOR EVERYONE (and "G" for Australians).

If you would like to order for an August/September delivery date, please email Andrea Caesar (officemanager@usfooty.com). AFL Live 03 PC version will cost $45 (or $210 for a box of 7 for USAFL clubs). If you would like a version for Xbox or Playstation, then please email Chris Adams (secretary@usfooty.com).

New York Magpies Celebrate their 50th Footy Game

Submitted by The New York Magpies

The New York Magpies will be playing their 50th game on Saturday June 29th on home soil home against the Baltimore-Washington Eagles. In its short history, the Magpies have grown from a simple dream by a few football-mad Australians and Americans in 1998, to a club with a player roster of 40, and social club of 700 people.

"The team has developed immensely since its inception in 1998," said team founder and current player Erik Kallhovd, "The Magpies are now one of the most successful US teams and I anticipate continued success, both on and off the field."

On-field success peaked last season with a Second Division Championship victory at the USAFL National Championships. However, this has been matched by off-field achievements, most notably hosting hugely popular social events that continue to raise money for worthwhile charities. "We have gained a great reputation in New York for hosting events that unite the Australian expatriate community with our American friends, whilst promoting the game in the New York area," said club President Peter Gurry.

The Magpies are now actively contesting the inaugural season of the NorthEast Australian Rules Football League (NEAFL).

The club plans to celebrate its 50th game milestone with a function at Dewey's Flatiron Bar in Midtown Manhattan.

Discount information from Australian Products Company

Submitted by Andrea Caesar

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.

Second Quarter Reports are now due

Submitted by Andrea Caesar

The 2nd Quarter Reports will be due July 7th. Note that this is a week earlier than normal. Please also note that this is extremely important to the USAFL that all clubs send their reports in and send them in on time. These reports will be printed, bound, and they will be taken to Melbourne in August and distributed to the AFL, AFL Clubs, USAFL Sponsors and USAFL Partners.

Please email reports to Andrea Caesar - officemanager@usfooty.com

Do you have information for the USFooty Newsletter?

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

- Steve Caesar
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