The Honourable Joe Hockey to Become USAFL Patron

The United States Australian Football League (USAFL) is pleased to announce that The Honourable Joe Hockey, Australian Ambassador to the United States of America, has accepted an offer to become the Patron of the USAFL.  This marks a significant step forward in the USAFL’s efforts to further develop partnerships with key Australian government officials and business leaders in the US and Australia.

Mr Hockey took up his appointment as Ambassador in January 2016.  Prior this role, he had a long and distinguished career in public service. He first entered Parliament in 1996 as the Member for North Sydney and spent more than seventeen years on the front bench in a number of different portfolios including Financial Services, Small Business and Tourism, Human Services, and Employment and Workplace Relations. In 2013 Mr Hockey was appointed Treasurer of the Commonwealth and was responsible for all economic policy including fiscal policy. He served as Chair of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in 2014 and a member of the leadership troika in 2015. As Treasurer he was a regular delegate to IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and APEC meetings.

In response to his appointment as USAFL Patron, Ambassador Hockey said: “I am honoured to serve as Patron of the United States Australian Football League, which has been bringing Australian sporting culture to the United States for over 20 years.  With over 32 clubs and 1,500 players across the United States, the USAFL is tangible evidence of the mateship that exists between Australia and the United States.  While we may often be competitors on the field, we are always mates off the field”

“We hope with Mr Hockey’s support we can continue to strengthen our business and government relationships,” said USAFL President, Seb Aguiari.  “The USAFL has steadily grown over the past twenty years promoting Australian Football and culture throughout the US.  The league features both men and women’s competitions, regional tournaments, an umpires association, men’s and women’s national teams and hosts the largest Australian Football tournament in the world.  To further its development, the USAFL Executive Board will work with the Ambassador towards common objectives,”

PHOTO ABOVE: USAFL Board Executive Board members Seb Aguiari, Scott Morris, David Bryant and Operations Manager, Doren James present Joe Hockey, Australian Ambassador with a USAFL jumper and football at the recent board retreat in Houston.