The Irish AFL are seeking Queensland-based players to represent Ireland in the 2011 International Cup in Sydney and Melbourne later this year.
Monday, 14 February, 2011
The Irish AFL are seeking Queensland-based players to represent Ireland in the 2011 International Cup in Sydney and Melbourne later this year.
Players must be Irish citizens and were predominantly resident in Ireland between the ages of 10 and 16.
The concentration of Irish living in Queensland and the strong link between GAA and AFL provide an opportunity for Queensland based clubs to offer a unique opportunity to any current or new Irish players at your club.
This also allows you to promote the diversity and talent development of your club and league. Can you make any Irish players at your club aware of the details and contacts below where they can find out further information.
The International Cup 2011 is a competition run by the AFL to promote the game of Australian Rules Football to countries outside of Australia. The event features over 1,000 players and officials from 24 nations. Ireland won the inaugural competition in 2002. Ireland’s Mick Finn was player of the tournament in 2008.
The competition runs from Friday 12 August to Saturday 27 August when the Grand Final will be played at the MCG as a curtain rasier to the Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs AFL game.
The first week of competition is in Sydney, with games at Blacktown Olympic Stadium, home to the new GWS AFL team. Teams will then relocate down to Melbourne for the second week.
Ireland will be selecting a squad of 30 players of which 15 will be selected through various trials in Ireland. The remaining 15 players will be selected from the best Irish players playing in the various domestic AFL leagues here in Australia.
“We are seeking contact from Irish players anywhere in Australia who are currently playing AFL football or have played a high level of GAA football and are interested in taking up Australian Rules to try out for the squad,” said ARFLI spokesman Andrew Wheatley.
Team management will be holding a specific Irish Squad trials around Australia over the next six-eight so prospective players need to make contact ASAP. It is important to note that only players of a high standard who play AFL regularly will be in contention for squad selection.
Contact Andrew Wheatley on 02-44711857 or e-mail: wheatleyeire@yahoo.ie or call Paul Ryan on 0405246505 to express your interest and get further details.
