S-Trend Ambassadors required

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In recognition of the partnership between AFL Europe and S-Trend Sportswear, S-Trend Sportswear wishes to offer the chance for budding AFL “stars” within Europe to become an S-Trend Ambassador.

The intention is for a highly rated player within every AFL Europe member country to get on board with S-Trend to help both AFL Europe develop the game and S-Trend Sportswear to develop their brand.

If you are interested and think you have what it takes then please email your sporting CV to Graham Walton at S-Trend, (graham@s-trend.co.uk) and he will get back to you with further details.

AFL Europe grant program’s re-open for 3 weeks

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AFL Europe has decided to re-open its 2012 grant programs and will be accepting applications from today (Nov 21st) until Wednesday December 12th. Get your applications in quick to ensure your request for assistance is considered.

 

Through The Chair: Chris Dow’s Blog #2

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What a day of Aussie Rules glory we witnessed last Saturday at The Oval. We started the day by defining the importance of Aussie Rules football to those dedicated devotees with a short historical analogy dating back to 1859. In that year, two great books were published – the first was by Charles Darwin called The Origin of Species, the second was by the Melbourne Football Club called The Rules of Australian Football. One of these books went on to define the theory of competition and set a new standard as to the meaning of life, the other of course was Darwin’s book.

A crowd of more than 10,000 people filed in on the day to watch a pre-match of Europe’s best talent where a combined side of Ireland, Britain and Iceland took on a combined team from the Continent. This match was then followed by a classic encounter between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs. The match had everything – passion, skills, streakers and drama. The crowd sat on the edge of their seats as Port Power clawed back a 6 goal deficit to the Bulldogs to finish with a magnificent Brad Ebert goal from the boundary line to give the Power a one point victory.

The AFL’s support for this match has been outstanding and the work of Tony Woods and Andrew Dillon was much appreciated. The occasion was also enhanced by the presence of AFL Commissioner, the very charming Linda Dessau and her partner and aspiring photographer Tony Howard who no doubt walked away from the weekend with more shots than Donald Bradman. The AFL have shown faith in the AFL Europe Community and especially my predecessor, Gerard Murphy, and I hope they feel we have repaid that faith with our passion and commitment to the day’s success.

We look forward to this match being the start of an annual event that allows us to showcase our game in the best possible way on one of history’s most famous grounds. In London we are blessed with so many awe-inspiring buildings and sporting grounds but it was truly uplifting to hear the players speak afterwards of the privilege to have been part of such a special event.

Chris Dow
Chairman AFL Europe

Islanders Win Inaugural JLT Group All Stars Game

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In the end the scoreline might have flattered the European Islanders team, but there was no question of whether they merited their win on saturday at the Kia Oval. The final score of 11.11(77) to 2.3(5) was made to look far more impressive by four final quarter goals as prior to this the only point the team in white had as many goals as behinds was when Ryan McLoskey scored their first goal.

It took both sides some time to settle and get used to new teammates but once they did, the intensity of the contests was fantastic. The Islands team was well on top for the first half, but in the second the continent dominated for long stages without being able to get goals on the scoreboard. In the end both of their goals came in the third quarter from Tomislav Cvetko and Gregoire Patacq. The Islanders remaining goals were scored by James Flavin 2, Kevin McSorley 1, Kevin O’ Brien 1 (Goal of the day), Andy Smyth 1, Luke Booth 1, Levi Fernandez 1, Matt Kilheeny 1, David Saunders 1 and Gerard Walls 1.

At the post match function best on ground awards were given to Troels Ottesen for the Continental team and Gerard Walls for the  victorious Islanders team, with a tickets donated for next year’s grand final by the AFL and by Event Planning Group.

Through The Chair: Chris Dow’s Blog 1

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After only 6 weeks in the job I have had the pleasure of watching more football played with true passion than ever before in my life. What a baptism to the role was the Euro Cup in Edinburgh! This was surely one of my most enjoyable days of sport ever and a personal highlight for me was the sheer passion amongst the playing group and also the volunteers. Forever etched in my mind was the Denmark and Croatia game that reminded me of what passion was all about, a couple of points saw the Croats eliminated and the pain was evident. They will surely be a powerhouse of the future under the stewardship of their new coach Ciaran O’Hara.

To say I am looking forward to working with all of you is an understatement. I believe we have both the people and the resources to build on that outstanding foundation laid down by the outgoing Chairman Gerard Murphy and Commissioner Sally Capp. Can I pay special tribute to Gerard who we all agree is a remarkable individual and has worked tirelessly to ensure we are “United, Structured and Respectful”, what an amazing legacy he has left and I hope to repay his confidence by giving my energy and effort to carrying on and building on this legacy.

I look forward this weekend to reacquainting myself with many of you at the European Challenge match at the Kia Oval, we expect a really strong crowd to see these two elite level teams fight it out for the bragging rights to Europe. I expect this to be the beginning of an annual game which will assist us in raising the profile of the game in Europe and supporting our plan to increase player participation throughout Europe.

 

Chris Dow

Chairman, AFL Europe

AFL Europe On Air For JLT Group All Stars Game

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Following the success of our live audio transmissions at the EuroCup in Edinburgh, AFL Europe’s very own internet radio station will be back up on air again this saturday from the Kia Oval. Coverage of our game between Europe’s Islands and the Continental team will begin at 13.05 GMT(14.05 CET). Check back to afleurope.org or our facebook page for details.