The 2015 EU Cup is upon us

the main thing around 9 aside or 18 aside is that for nations/players - who predominantly play 9s on smaller fields - by the time they come to Melbourne for an International Cup is was often the first experience of a full size oval and 18 aside footy. Spread and overlap change markedly. Where regional tournaments or premier divisions exist with larger playing sizes that at least is something - and the example of the US Nationals about to happen have the following breakdown : Womens Div 1 16 aside, Womens Div 2 12-14 aside. Mens Div 1 and 2 18 aside, Div 3 16 aside and Div 4 14 aside.

Barrass's ancestors actually came from Switzerland - Italian part.

Nine a side, eighteen a side ? - don't matter, it's the thought that counts !

Correct, it is WITHIN Australia, i don't think Bruce even looked TBH. It shows what i have suspected and seen with my own eyes for some time and that is that Rugby is basically player sourced from immigration from other English speaking countries ( South Africa, NZ, Pacific Islands UK) remains to be seen what thier kids play, but seeing immigration from those countries has been going on in some case for many generations and the % of Aussie born players is still quite low.

THat's a graphical breakdown on ABS participation surveys WITHIN Australia. It's contrasting the ethnicity of participants. Generally the ABS stats surveys are based on a survey sample size of 12-15,000. A little more meaningful than OzTam/RegTam TV ratings. The participation may be very loosely based - it doesn't necessarily mean participation in regular organised club competition. Also - this graph will be male/female combined which gives soccer a big advantage over the Rugby codes in particular. Possibly it may roll indoor/outdoor in together (which would create a double count in some cases). Clearly the AFL for example has increased its focus on womens participation since then - in part driven by Govt interest in womens participation - so, while in many cases we see local FNC's (Football Netball Clubs) - footy is now going effectively in competition with netball.

the tricky thing with the International Cup is that there is a lure to head to the 'Mecca' of the sport - i.e. Melbourne - and the MCG. Of course, only the mens Grand Final gets to play on the 'G and that tends to be limited between Ireland, PNG and NZ. Perhaps South Africa, Fiji or one of the North AMerican sides might sneak in one day. Point though is the chance to PLAY on the 'G is not a realistic option for many. Although - one might suggest that the growing interest in Australia in the womens side of the game might see future IC Womens GF move onto Docklands or MCG. It is a massive import on players - to head to Australia for a 2 week tournament - as amateurs. Largely paying their own way, combined with local fund raising. In some cases such as Tonga last year, they were able to source some Govt funding and managed to debut their womens side. It's a tough ask. Germany has been regarded as IC ready for some time but opted not to (due the expense). The hard thing is that a Europe based IC tournament would most likely make it impossible for the Pacific islands nations to make it. There's a clear lack of AFL funding. And whether the IC needs to be built above regional qualifiers/championships or whether it remains open to anyone who can make it is one of the main conundrums. Some nations have attended all 5 since 2002. Others, such as Denmark, when they can and have managed 3 of 5. Every 3 years is a tough ask - generally these sorts of things operate on 4 yearly cycles.

I think clipper is a rugby man or is that the same thing to you ?. It was a ABS stat used by a very staunch soccer man, not really sure why you are disputing it.

Strawman argument !, he is very good at that. Anyone and everyone who I know who has a decent interest or some knowledge about AF o/s never believes the standard is great or that I'm some way shape or form the game is mainstream or remotely close

You better explain that to Clipper sticks.....someone seems to be missing the point. Actually when Vic Rulers talk about figures they are usually very gullible or willingly compliant.....poor silly buggers!! Lol.

Well it is a ABS graph, I believe they do have some credibility, the graph was about people living in Australia, their backgrounds and what sport they play, which graph were you looking at, or do you just have that statement on default ?

If people want to learn how to kick a footy - let's give them a chance to learn. Why should the rest of the world grow up not being able to kick a footy over a jam tin?

He's just trying to create a straw man argument. I said at the very start it's an extremely low standard of play and most of these people's kicking skills are around the level of anyone in Australia who has never grown up kicking a footy (and believe me, I have met many Australians who couldn't kick over a jam tin). The standard is neither here or there - the more important question is: are there people who enjoy kicking a footy in other parts of the world? If so, let's give them an opportunity to kick a footy (a real footy). That's all - let's allow people who want to kick a footy the chance to kick a footy. Why should only Australians have all the fun?

If you poor silly Victorian Rulers believe that graph I've got a book full of bridges to sell you.......lol. It would include Gilligans claim there are 35,000 'players' in NZ and similar numbers in SA and PNG.......fantasy stuff up there with Santa Claus and the tooth fairy....lol. Sadly most of you Vic Rulers will nod in feeble unison.....funny stuff.

I could be wrong, but the way i read that chart was people born in Australia, people living in Australia from English speaking countries and people living in Australia from countries that do not speak English.

Across the sides - you'll often find guys who have played a bit when in Australia - just what the order of events is can vary - some find the game when out here studying. Others find the game in Europe and then try to spend time in Australia working and playing footy. Generally - these sorts will stand out during the International Cup - take for example Frenchman Grégoire Patacq (Toulouse Hawks) who has visited Australia a few times and played variously around the country while travelling - for example in 2011 he's listed with 4 reserves matches at Robinvale (Vic Mallee) and also 4 ressies matches for Coolangatta-Tweed Heads. This year he's listed for a couple of games in the Barossa Valley. He was captain of Les Coqs in 2014. The growth area in recent times has been bringing players in from the South Pacific. PNG interacts a lot with Queensland, their junior squads compete in the QLD state championships (U14s won in 2013). In many of these cases it's important that some of the lads who make it to Australia for a season or more find their way back home to take their learnings and experience back.

Which comments were the unrealistic ones ?.

Thanks, Perry Bridge. That seems to be a more realistic overview of the AFL Euro Cup.

The Euro 9s standard varies - it's not the 'best'. THere's a couple of tiers effectively. There is a full 18 aside European Championships that is played as a lead up to an AFL International Cup. That will tend to be the best standard. The Euro 9s tournament is a great tournament - for what it is - and tends to be a good developmental pathway. Newer/smaller nations that are still someway from being in a position to head to Australia for an International Cup - find their international (tournament) feet in the Euros. Nations here like Norway, Austria, Croatia, Germany and Netherlands have never attended an IC in Australia. Great Britain represent England, Scotland and Wales at the IC. Nations like Denmark and Ireland in particular will be sending more of a 'B' team to this tournament but even their 'B' team is made up of guys with at very least regular exposure to a better standard. The biggest thing really is the nature of the 'community', it's continuing to grow and events like this help immensely. Hosting such tournaments is a key way of gaining attention. Smaller cities start to take notice when hosting such a tournament. Umag is a good example - population reportedly only 13 1/2 thousand in the municipality. The 9s format generally has some form of limitation. Either only 'forwards' wearing bibs can kick goals, or, that only from inside a forward arc can you kick goals. Generally it means the skills to hit up targets up forward are important. Only so many of these nations have anything resembling juniors. Denmark in particular do - and that often stands out now with a batch of senior players who have grown up with the game.