East v West Game

HOTEL, AIRLINE AND GROUND INFORMATION

Preparations are on in earnest for the upcoming inaugural All-Star East vs. West Clash at Cal State University, Long Beach (CSULB), 1250 Bellflower, Long Beach, CA, 90840 on June 21.  Two full squads of 48 players have been named and notified and the two East/West games, together with the 2003 CAFL Grand Final clash between reigning CAFL premiers San Diego and Orange County will ensure the best day of footy ever seen on the West Coast.

The weekends round of matches will be used to select the 2003 Revolution and American Australians squads for the upcoming international clash in Western Pennsylvania on August 2.  The American Australians will take on the Canadian Australians in a curtain raiser to the Revolution vs. Canada game.

The USAFL is pleased to announce the respective coaches of the East and West teams, Robert Oliver (East) and Mick Raher (West).

Robert is a Level 2 Accredited Coach and spent the last 13 years working in Football Development for Football Victoria.  He has worked with TAC cup teams Western Jets and the Oakleigh Chargers and has been a selector on various Victorian Metropolitan Representative Teams from U15 to U18.  He has been playing, coaching or administering football for 35 years.  At present he is coach of the New York Magpies and the Junior Development Officer for the USAFL. 

He has already been a magnificent help with junior and coaching development for the USAFL, and we feel very privileged to have his services.  Boston coach, Alan Nugent, will ably assist him.

Mick, the current coach of San Diego, is a former native of Geelong, Australia, and has been involved with football since the age of 8.  He attended
St. Joseph's College, Geelong, and after a great High School career went on to play for many years in the Colac, Victorian Amateur and Southern Leagues.  Mick will be assisted by Phoenix coach, Eric Aramian.

The weekend of June 21 will also include a coaching course and the formation of the United States Australian Football Coaches Association (USAFCA).  The course will entail workshops on coaching roles, skill development, junior development, drills and more and will be spread over the whole weekend at the following schedule:

Friday, June 20       7pm 10pm

Saturday, June 21   8am 11am

Sunday, June 22     8am 12pm

All current and prospective coaches in USFooty are welcome and yearly membership of the USAFCA will cost $35.00.  Members will receive:

2 coaching manuals

1 yr membership USAFCA

1 Kicking DVD

Level One Accreditation (upon completion of their assignments)

Continued updates and coaching resources.

Together with the networking of other coaches in the country the creation of the USAFCA will be a great leap forward in Coaching Development within the USAFL.

More East vs. West details

Hotel: Sea Port Mariner Hotel (address).  Cost: $70.00 per night For Bookings contact www.seaportmarinerhotel.com or phone (562) 434-8451 and mention USFooty.

Dinner and nightclub tour: Pasta Dinner, buffet style, will be served in the Empire Room at 8pm.  Doors open at 7pm, cost is $23 per person.

From 10pm until 1am there will be a free shuttle bus service, taking people to two designated bars in the downtown Long Beach area.

Game Format:

12pm           East vs. West Reserves (4x25 min Qtrs)

2.15pm        CAFL Grand Final    - San Diego vs. Orange County (4x20 min Qtrs PLUS time on)

4.30pm        East vs. West Seniors (4x25 min Qtrs)

- Denis Ryan
(256)