AFL's GM of Game Development to Attend Nationals

The USAFL Executive Board is pleased to announce that after some heavy negotiating they are able to announce that David Matthews, the General Manager of Game Development for the AFL, will be attending the ”Pratt Industries 2004 USAFL National Championships." With all our USAFL clubs improving the development of the game in the USA, David will be attending the Nationals as a special guest for the USAFL to witness first hand the amazing home grown talent we have produced in the past 8 years.

David has been employed by the AFL since 1998, and was most recently the AFL's Auskick and Participation Manager. He is a former Operations Manager of the Victorian Country Football League and General Manager of the Geelong Football League. He replaced Ross Smith, who retired from the position last year.

David will be attending the planned Friday 8th October President’s Meeting and AGM, and will be making a small talk to all represented members attending. David will also be attending all "Pratt Industries 2004 USAFL National Championships" functions and will be touring the USA with Kevin Sheedy to obtain first hand knowledge of the USA school and football systems. This is the first time since 2000 we have had the AFL General Manager attend the Nationals and the best opportunity to sell ourselves as a serious contender in the game of Australian Rules Football.

The 8th Annual USAFL National Championships will be held in Atlanta, GA on the 9th - 10th of October, 2004 at the North Atlanta Polo Fields.  The USAFL is excited about the event being in Atlanta where the game can be showcased to a huge local market.  The polo fields have fantastic facilities, including fields all at the same location that allow for the very best opportunity to witness our great game of Aussie Rules footy at its highest level in the USA.

Please join us in thanking all those responsible for making this happen.  This is a truly amazing step forward for our development of the game.

- Mark Wheeler
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