“By having access to full length AFL games on TV, South Africans will be able to understand how the game is played, how the ball is moved by hand and foot and how players run to position”

Mtutuzeli Hlomela, SA Lions National skipper

Multi-national sports media giant ESPN has recently announced coverage of Friday night AFL games into sub-Saharan Africa.

Blockbuster games from Australia will be replayed on Saturday afternoons at 3pm in South Africa where footyWILD is enjoying rapid growth.

Currently there are 17,000 participants across four Provinces with the majority having limited exposure to live footage.

AFL South Africa’s Talent & Partnerships Manager Mtutuzeli Hlomela believes the ESPN coverage will help his fellow countrymen pick up the game far quicker, paving the way for improved development outcomes.

“By having access to full length AFL games on TV, South Africans will be able to understand how the game is played, how the ball is moved by hand and foot and how players run to position”, said the SA Lions National skipper.

“Highlights are great but they usually only show goal kicking – full length games will offer the complete package so South Africans more accustomed to rugby union and soccer can see exactly how this football code differs”, said Mtutu. “Access to professional AFL games on a regular basis will also build Australian heroes that South African footyWILD players of all ages can look up to”.

With four AFL Clubs currently engaged in South Africa’s development (Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle and West Coast), the ESPN coverage promises to heighten awareness of the stars of the game in Australia.

“The ROAR Talent program recently launched in South Africa aims to identify and fast-track a South African player to the AFL through the International Scholarship Scheme – ESPN games on TV will help AFL South Africa create awareness around this exciting opportunity for talented athletes”, added Mtutu.