March 2003 Newsletter

AFL On TV!
I am happy to announce to all USAFL members and supporters that after a long negotiation period and full support from Fox Sports International and the AFL, the AFL telecast will resume on air for the 2003 season on Fox Sports World. I would like to thank everyone involved for their support and knowledge to help us push for the telecast to remain available for the USAFL and all football followers in the USA.

2003 USAFL Administrators Conference

The 2003 USAFL Club Administrators Conference will be held in San Diego, CA on the weekend March 28 30th. This conference, hosted by the 2001 National Champion San Diego Lions, is a chance for the clubs to get together to discuss and voteh on important aspects of USFooty. There will be information sessions, small discussion sessions, a Key Note Address and the Special AGM. Any ideas or suggestions on issues to discuss, please email Andrea Caesar.

2003 USAFL National Championship

I would like to announce that after much debate the 2003 Coopers National Championships will be held in Kansas City October 10 - 12. With some very impressive bids and a few problems with the first choice, the bid was awarded to Kansas City after polling the Club Presidents. Due to Kansas competing against Canada for the right of the bid, the Executive Board thought the decision needed club feedback before the announcement and choice was made. Further discussions about proceeding to Canada for a North American Championship will take place at the Administrators Conference, so that all clubs can have input and the league can have a better understanding in what direction clubs would like us to proceed. For Kansas City, they once again are out to prove they can better themselves and have secured better services and grounds for the event with that Power style of Championships showcased in 2002.

Josh Lorings Essendon Diary

Revolution and Lehigh Valley Crocodiles standout, Josh Loring, began training under the Essendon Bombers legendary coach, Kevin Sheedy on Jan 13th. Josh trained with Essendons senior team for 3 weeks and attended the AFL Coaches Conference. For the full story and Joshs diary, click here.

AZAFL Metro Footy Tournament

In an effort to make everyone at home as possible, the players, club officials, umpires and match officials were greeted by what could only be described as a typical Melbourne winter day. Cold and rainy weather met the enthusiastic crowds who began to arrive at the lush and freshly manicured fields. These crowds were quickly redirected to the soccer fields sporting the specially grown "Arizona Gold Desert Hybrid Bermuda Straw Grass". The AZAFL is currently in tense negotiations with the grower to make this turf the "official surface" of the AZAFL. Failing that, the Salt River Rock and Concrete Company by default, becomes the surface supplier. As the morning pressed on, the Arizona sun began to drive off the clouds and rain, leaving a day bright with sunshine and full of footy.

This tournament was significant in many aspects. First and foremost, the AZAFL Metro Footy World Invitational Championship Tournament (hereinafter called the "tourney") is the second largest Australian Football tournament in the US this year. Complete story.

Macquarie University Australian Football Scholarship

In February, Tim Weir (Philadelphia Crows, U23 Revolution) began his semester at Macquarie University in Sydney. Macquarie University provided Tim with tuition and accommodation as part of their sponsorship of the USAFL. Tim will play for the Macquarie University Kookaburras, one of the most successful teams in the Sydney Football Association. The Kookaburras are coached by David Beauchamp. Tim will be keeping us up to date on his adventures with a weekly diary. Complete story.

USFooty Survey

We need to know what's on your mind. That's right, USFooty needs to know a little bit about you and your club. It's been three years since the last survey. With the unprecedented and dramatic growth of Australian Football in the US, we need to re-evaluate the members, clubs, and leagues characteristics and tendencies. This information will be useful in current and future marketing and sponsorship endeavors both for USFooty and the individual clubs. We are often asked, "What can I do to promote Australian football in the US?" First, take a few moments to complete the 2003 USAFL Membership Demographic Survey. Your participation will not only help the league in terms of direction and focus, but your local clubs and league will be able to use the input for their own marketing purposes. In addition, the club with the highest response rate will win a prize from USFooty. So help us out. Help your local club out. Get involved. It's YOUR game! http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?TQKVG97L2P68NWNW699ME1R4

Upcoming Events

2003 Administrators Conference San Diego, CA March 28 30, 2003

Arafura Games Darwin, Australia May 12 28, 2003

Kansas City Spring Classic Tourny Kansas City, MO May 17 18, 2003

USA vs. Canada Pittsburgh, PA August 2 3, 2003

USAFL National Championships Kansas City, MO October 10 12, 2003

Premier Footballs

Check out the new Burley Premier Footballs. These footballs are made to exacting standards by professionals who have years of experience manufacturing balls for the AFL, VFL, WAFL and other leagues.

- Office Manager
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