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Around the Grounds

AFL Canada making the trip over the Atlantic in 2017!

AFL Europe and AFL Canada announced plans for the men’s and women’s Canadian Development teams to travel to London in May 2017. Both tournaments will be taking place from the 19th to 21st of May with a round robin fixture set in place.

To read more about the tournament click through the link below.

Coyotes sit atop the CNFA ladder

The CNFA ladder is starting to take shape. Following the weekends fixtures, the Cergy-Pointoise Coyotes are sitting on top for the 2016/17 season. The ASP Tigers have jumped into second position in front of the ALFA Lions who are in third with a game in hand. The Bordeaux Bombers have played 4 games and round out the top-four places. The two Parisian sides are yet to hit their straps but are in 5th and 6th  as the Toulouse Hawks and new-comers, the Blagnac Aviators, are battling it out for the wooden spoon.

The next few rounds before Christmas are incredibly important for setting up sides 2nd half of the year and will go a long way to determining the make-up of the top 4.

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AFL Europe Footy Show kicks off! AFL Europe Footy Show kicks off! AFL Europe Footy Show kicks off!

Monday night was the first instalment of the AFL Europe Footy Show after a 2-year hiatus. Despite a few technical issues and an annoying echo, we were able to put together a 45-minute show full of entertainment. Special guest, Oliver Howard, discussed his aims and objectives as the new Chairman along with general discussions on all things footy.

Improvements to the quality of the stream (and the general presenting) will occur over the course of the first few shows. Massive thanks to everyone who tuned in. We’ll announce when the next show is scheduled well in advance.

If you’d like to listen to the recording from the first show, click through the link below.

 

Old vs New: Alumni take the win over the Students at UoB

It was a battle between old and new at the weekend for the University of Birmingham Aussie Rules Football Club. And it was the old boys who had the last laugh against the current students in their annual hit-out. A great initiative by the team at UoB keeping their alumni in the mix with all things Aussie Rules at the Uni. The final score in the match was 137 to 95 in favour of the Alumni.

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New President in the DAFL

The Danish Australian Football League (DAFL) will be under the guidance of a new president in 2017. Thore Lauritzen was elected to take over the job from Simon Malone after his 2 years of great service. Thore has been an integral member in the DAFL community over a number of years. He is the captain of the national side, coach of the Farum Cats as well as being crowned best afield in this year’s DAFL Grand Final.

Congratulations on the appointment Thore and all the best in your new role.

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1st Round of the Rebel Shield goes to the Bombers

The first leg of the Rebel Shield took place on Friday evening at Mardyke Arena in Cork. It was the students, the UCC Bombers, who claimed the spoils over their cousins, the Leeside Lions. The hit-out was great prep for the Bombers who are gearing up for the upcoming Fitzpatrick Cup in early 2017.

The Lions will also take valuable match practice from the game as they look for a serious assault on the 2017 Champions League in April next year.

The return fixture should be hotly contested between these two clubs with the difference not too great to overcome for the Lions.

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International Rules set for two-test hit out in 2017

After a year off, the International Rules series between the AFL and GAA has been set for November 2017. Following the two one-off tests in 2014 and 2015, the 2017 instalment will feature a two-test series at yet to be determined venues.

Australia will play host to the series and will present a side made up entirely of All-Australian players, as has been the case in the previous two series.

Check out the full press release from the Official AFL website.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-11-22/international-rules-series-returns-with-australia-to-host-two-tests

How to watch Australia vs Ireland in the International Rules this weekend

The Aussies have been waiting a long 12 months to have a crack at redemption after a poor showing by the national team last time around. Australia goes in with a team full of current or previous All Australian players whilst the Irish are also full of national heroes. It is sure to be a cracking match so don’t miss out.

2014 Virgin Australia International Rules – International Broadcast Schedule

If you are in continental Europe you may even be lucky enough to hear our CEO Ben MacCormack commentating on Eurosport 2. Send in any questions or comments on the game via twitter on @BenMacCormack

Irish Banshees announce their squad for IC14

By Michael McCormick

The Irish Banshees have officially announced their team but have decided to keep a few key pieces of information confidential.

Only eleven Irish based women will take the field in Melbourne and the rest of the team will consist of players based in Melbourne and Sydney, most of whom play Gaelic as well as Australian Football.

The pressure of having to back up 2011’s premiership has been compounded by the notable exclusion of Marie Keating, the 2011 International Cup’s MVP and a All Australian player.

There has also been a significant change to the coaching staff with previous Head Coach, Andrew Hickey unable to coach the squad.

The group will instead wait until they reach Melbourne to announce their coach having hinted that the appointment will be noteworthy.

The Banshees team list is as follows:

1 Aimee Louise Hazley
2 Eva Mackin
3 Paula Keatley
4 Kate Leahy
5 Leiha Shrubsall
6 Emma Kelly
7 Fiona Roarty
8 Carolann Cass
9 Deirdre Ni Chearbhaill
10 Catilin Ni Chianain
11 Louise Loughlin
12 Laura Corrigan
13 Regina Curtain
14 Elaine O’Reilly
15 Clair Mahony
16 Carol Magahon
17 Dervla Murta
18 Maeve Brogan
19 Catherine Collins
20 Claire Cunnginham
21 Una McKay
22 Sandra Ryan
23 Christine McCutcheon
24 Gillian Behan
25 Emma Treanor

 

The Irish Banshees have recently secured sponsorship through the aircraft leasing company ‘Avolon’ who are now their Major Partner.

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Four Europeans make World XVIII team

In a first for AFL Europe and the region, 4 players have been selected to represent the World XVIII in the 2013 NAB U/16 National Championships in Australia this July. In a show of the progression being made in Europe and the work of the talent staff, coaches and benefits of the Easter Series the record 4 players will arrive in Sydney in early July for a short training camp before taking on the best kids in Australia and the Pacific.

Meet the representatives:

Cameron Cope

AFL Europe Headshots

DOB: 8/10/1994

Height: 180cm

Weight: 75kg

An explosive athlete that has learnt the game in the English equivalent of a football factory under coach Ian Mitchell in Wolverhampton. Cameron has represented England at the Euro Cup and is sure to be a star of the national team for many years to come. His performances at the 2013 AFL Europe Combine in Ireland and then the Easter Series have shown that he has all the tools to impress on the trip to Australia and is sure turn some heads with his blistering pace and athletic jump.

Victor Petersen

AFL Europe Headshots

Our youngest ever representative on the European Legion team in 2013 Victor made a big first impression. His work throughout the week and willingness to learn puts him on a path to follow in the footsteps of Danish trailblazers like Aksel Bang and Mikkel Kjoege that have made the trip to Australia before him. His big frame and strength over the ball will be a feature and with good pedigree (Dad still plays in the DAFL) he is one to watch as a future leader of the Danish Vikings.

Club: Farum Cats

DOB: 23/8/1996

Height: 186cm

Weight: 81kg

Colin Kenny

Colin

Colin came to the attention of our talent identification team in Ireland during his school, Gallen CS’ run to All Ireland victory. An outstanding athlete he has won county U14 and U16 Gaelic Football titles with his club, but he has also impressed on the Rugby field. This year he has been a part of Connacht Rugby’s U-16 Development squad, something which should aid him tremendously in adapting to the oval ball and mean the tackle will not present him with any fears.

Club: Ferbane/Belmont GAA(Offaly)

DOB: 18/1/1997

Height: 185cm

Weight: 89kg

 

David McGivney

mcgivney

It’s been quite a start to 2013 for David McGivney, in February he was part of the Longford Vocational Schools team which won the Leinster Championship, a month later he captained his school Cnoc Mhuire, Granard to a one point win in the All Ireland U18 Final in Croke Park, and he has been dominating in his second year on the Longford Minor team. All of that success has followed on from a League and Championship double with his U16 Club team, Northern Gaels in 2012. David has shown tremendous leadership for such a young player and will bring height, determination and tremendous stamina to the World XVIII this year. His neighbour from Longford, Michael Quinn holds the distinction of having the fastest debut in the AFL for Essendon, who knows maybe this young man is set to follow in his footsteps.

Club: Northern Gaels GAA(Longford)

DOB: 9/2/1996

Height: 189cm

Weight: 90kg

 

 

 

European Legion team finalised

The 2013 Easter Series will this year be held in Guildford, England and Copenhagen, Denmark. Tickets now available at http://afleasterseries.eventbrite.co.uk/

The first leg will be played between the European Legion and the AIS AFL Academy.

Below is the team selected to proudly represent Europe against the best from Australia in the 1st game.

European Legion:

Jens Djernes – Denmark

Mathias Biron – Denmark

Mikkel Kjoege – Denmark

Jakob Jung – Germany

Wilfried Houvion – France

Cameron Cope – England

Luke Booth – England

Levi Fernandez – England

Tom Exton – Scotland

Victor Petersen – Denmark

Rene Palsgaard – Denmark

Sean Walton – England

Shane Walsh – Ireland

Shane Carthy – Ireland

Niall Scully – Ireland

Daniel Flynn – Ireland

Craig Degville – England

Paddy Brophy – Ireland

Padraig Lucey – Ireland

Ethan Rafferty – Ireland

Hampus Ollson – Sweden

Sean Hurley – Ireland

 

Tadhg Kennelly – Coach

Brad Ottens – Coach

Ian Mitchell – Assistant Coach

Palli Finnson – Assistant Coach

Kolja Koracak – Team Manager

Ciaran O’Hara – Communications

Jane Potter – Physio

 

AFL International Combine – Dublin

Results (top 3):

Standing Vertical Jump:

C. Cope – 70cm

D. Cahalane – 64cm

S. Walsh – 64cm

Running Vertical Jump:

C. Cope – 84cm

E. Lowndes – 84cm

D. Cahalane – 82cm

Agility Run:

D. Flynn – 8.09sec

S. Carthy – 8.11sec

C. Cope – 8.17sec

20m Sprint Test:

C. Cope – 2.94sec

P. Brophy – 2.97sec

D. Cahalane – 2.99sec

Beep Test:

P. Brophy – 14.7

E. Lowndes – 14.2

N. Scully – 14.2

 

AFL Draft Combine Records:

Standing Vertical Jump: 85cm – Dean Towers – 2012

Running Vertical Jump: 102cm – Jared Brennan and Nic Naitanui – 2002 & 2008

Agility Run: 7.77sec – Stephen Hill – 2008

20m Sprint: 2.75sec – Joel Wilkinson – 2010

Beep Test: 16.01 – Bradley Hill – 2011