Matthews urges support for international footy
Posted by hanoiswans on September 22, 2008
David Matthews
The article was written by the AFL’s General Manager of National and International Development, David Matthews. He refers to the recent, highly successful that was played in Warrnambool and Melbourne (won by Papua New Guinea against New Zealand).
Matthews says that “these visitors (to the International Cup) have adopted the game as their own. It is not a case of it being imposed on them. It is bottom up growth - much of it initiated by expatriate Australians but increasingly carried by forward by locals.
“People tend not to remember opportunities missed as much as opportunities that failed.
“We can’t be afraid to fail in pursuing any opportunity to expand this great game. To the cynics who might question international development, I say we should share it and support those who do.”
“But is it all a bit late this international development? “As Kevin Sheedy constantly reminds us, ‘it took 2,000 years to put wheels on suitcases.’ “
Meanwhile, in other news from our region, the Beijing Bombers will become an affiliate Club of Essendon. See for the full story.
September 22, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Seems an about-face from last year’s comments, from a well known publication, concerning stories about football overseas, “it’s outside our scope.” And the attitude of an international television station when challenged about reducing the number of AFL telecasts.
Let’s keep plugging away and increase the level of understanding and exposure of Australia’s signature football code in all countries.