2008 Australian Football International Cup
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section contains information about a future sporting event or team. It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change as the event approaches and more information becomes available. |
The 2008 Australian Football International Cup is an international Australian rules football competition planned for 2008 (as part of the 150th year celebrations of Australian Football), with around 14 nations competing in both Melbourne and Warrnambool in Victoria, Australia between the 27 August and 6th September.[1]
Like previous tournaments, the competition is open to men's teams with strict nationality eligibility rules in the premier division. A second, developmental division has been introduced for 2008, although details on which countries will feature in each division is yet to be finalised.
Contents |
[edit] History and build up
The WAFL and Perth, Western Australia raised the possibility of bidding for the tournament soon after the 2005 cup had been completed,[2] however the AFL has confirmed that the cup will once again be held in Melbourne (the game's spiritual home) for at least for one more year, as the 2008 Cup will coincide with Australian Rules football's 150th anniversary. The AFL later indicated that a regional round and semi-finals would be held in Warrnambool.
The AFL indicated that unlike earlier cups, it would likely be split into two divisions, a premier division and development division, with some discussion as to whether the eligibility rules could be loosened for the development division, to enable more countries to participate. Leagues were given the opportunity to nominate which they would prefer, with eight in each division being an initial target.[3]
There has been some speculation over the inclusion of an inaugural Women's division with Australia, the United States and possibly Papua New Guinea, countries sending women's squads.[4] Canada and England have also announced an intention to send Under 17s squads.
In December, 2007, it was announced that Melbourne and Warrnambool would co-host the two division event, with Melbourne matches to be played mainly in Royal Park North. Several potential new sides were announced by the AFL, including an Israeli-Palestine combination supported by the Peres Centre for Peace, China and India.[5][6]
In February 2008, the AFL had received official notification of entry from fourteen international teams, although Spain, Nauru, India and Tonga were cited as unlikely to attend for various reasons.[7]
India was a late confirmation for the cup announced on the 13th March, bringing the total for confirmed nations to 15 and giving some hope for late entrants such as France and Tonga.[8]
Nauru also confirmed its attendance in April.[9]
[edit] Competing Nations
In February 2008, the Australian Football League had received official notification from fourteen nations that they intended to take part in the tournament, including four nations who were set to debut. India was later confirmed as a fifth new entrant.
In addition to this, up to three Melbourne-based migrant sides may take part in division 2.
The teams planning to return are:
| Flag | Nation | Nickname | Division* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Canada | Northwind | 1 | |
 |
Denmark | Vikings | 1 | |
 |
Great Britain | Bulldogs | 1 | |
 |
Ireland | Warriors | 1 | |
 |
Japan | Samurais | 1 | |
 |
Nauru | Chiefs | 1 | |
 |
New Zealand | Falcons | 1 | |
 |
Papua New Guinea | Mosquitos | 1 | |
 |
Samoa | Bulldogs | 1 | |
 |
South Africa | Buffaloes | 1 | |
 |
United States of America | Revolution | 1 |
Teams planning to make their International Cup debut are:
| Flag | Nation | Nickname | Division* |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
China | Red Demons | 2 |
 |
Finland | Icebreakers | 2 |
 |
India | TBA | 2 |
| Israel-Palestinian Territories | Peres Team for Peace | 2 | |
 |
Sweden | Elks | 2 |
 |
Tonga | Black Marlins | 2 |
Previous attendees unlikely to return are:
| Flag | Nation | Nickname | Division* |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Spain | Bulls | 2 |
Melbourne-based community teams who may be in attendance:
| Flag | Nation | Division* |
|---|---|---|
 |
Somalia | 2 |
 |
Sudan | 2 |
 |
Vietnam | 2 |
- The teams competing will be split into two divisions. Division 1 will contain nations with strong developed sides and division 2 will contain developing sides.
[edit] References
- ^ AFL International Cup goes to Warrnambool
- ^ World Cup For Perth. August 28 Digby Beacham, Sunday Times, Perth
- ^ Cup dates proposed as AFL ponders divisions
- ^ Plenty of issues to consider for Cup organisers
- ^ Israelis and Palestinians to play side by side
- ^ Warrnambool to co-host 2008 International Cup
- ^ World Footy News - 14 Nations likely as Spain, India, Nauru and Tonga in doubt
- ^ India confirmed for International Cup
- ^ Nauru to compete in International Cup
[edit] See also
- List of Australian rules football leagues outside Australia
- Australian football around the world
- AFL Women's National Championships
[edit] External links
- http://www.aussierulesinternational.com
- Long term view to IC2008 - part one article from World Footy News with predictions on 2008 results
- Long term view to IC2008 - part two article from World Footy News with predictions on 2008 results
- World Footy News International Cup homepage
- Video of Aussie Rules from YouTube
|
||||||||
