The 2010 footyWILD Nationals in Cape Town were boosted by the involvement of a visiting Australian Amateur Football Council (AAFC) Under 23 team representing the cream of Australia’s amateur players, coaches and administrators. The Aussies mentored the local coaches, players and umpires over the 3 day event creating a legacy that will last well beyond the life of their tour.

 

“The engagement of the Australian Amateurs at our flagship event helped create our best Championships yet”, said National Operations Manager Joel Kelly. “Our guys learnt a lot more about football in a short space of time whilst we hope that the Australians were able to learn a little more about South African culture in the exchange that took place at Khayelitsha township” said Kelly.

 

“It was amazing to see the passion that South Africans have for the game,” said Western Australian Amateur President John Davies at the Championship function.

 

Former St Kilda player Mick Dwyer on tour with the AAFC was equally impressed, “The South African boys do things that we can’t physically do in Australia”, said Dwyer. “The athleticism and speed on display were amazing and if you keep working hard the skills will continue to improve.” said Dwyer speaking to the players after the finals.

 

The South African Lions National team selected at the Championships played the AAFC U23’s on Sunday Oct 3 at Khayelitsha Cricket Ground in a unique development exercise. The first half pitted an emerging SA Lions against a talented Australian U23’s before the two teams mixed to play a friendly in the second half.

 

“Our boys learnt enormously from playing alongside the best young Amateurs from Australia”, said AFLSA Talent Consultant Stewart Edge. “It was particularly pleasing to see our boys improve their positioning and get on the end of few inside 50 to kick a few goals – that part of our game has improved significantly”, said Edge.

 

Next August the SA Lions will travel to Australia to compete at the 2011 AFL International Cup against over 20 countries from around the globe who also play the Australian game.