When the Australian Football League announced plans to include a World XVIII in the AFL NAB Under 16 state championships in Western Sydney in 2010, there was genuine excitement that the team would provide an unprecedented pathway for young talent around the world. But clearly the squad was likely to be dominated by Papua New Guinea, South Africa and some Oceanian countries. The recent news that the AFL will now have two international sides - the World 18 and a Pacific Islands side, gives new impetus to those nations such as the US and Canada with smaller junior programs to put forward their young players.

It's likely that the nation providing the most to the World 18 will be South Africa, where a strongly supported program has nearly 20,000 juniors participating. Given this is a new concept and international players are unlikely to have had the same level of exposure to Aussie Rules as most Australian participants, the AFL is allowing players up to 18 years old to compete in the World sides.

We understand that when considering their nominations, international affiliates have been encouraged to look at the averages for each of the position categories to provide an accurate assessment of the players' athletic capabilities compared to the Australian (under 18) talent pool.

In addition to this, players must be:

1. A passport holder of a country other than Australia

2. A resident of country above for more than a minimum of the last three (3) years

3. Registered and nominated participant of an AFL International affiliate

4. Aged between 15 and 18 years in 2010 (players cannot turn 19 years of age in 2010)

5. Available from Monday 28th June through to 11th July to participate in a five (5) day high performance camp and the NAB AFL U16 Championships

Firstly to the United States, where junior development has so far been mainly kindled through schools programs, but with a few exceptions. Paul O'Keeffe, former USAFL President and current International Liaison says that "Yes, we have a small number of eligible players who have experience playing in our senior competition. We believe they are viable candidates for selection" and "The AFL has sent us a selection form for each players coach to complete. We will work with the AFL coaching staff in the final selection process. We are short listing the players that we take to the AFL".

"To have an international U18 team in a U16 competition would have been unheard of just 2 or 3 years ago. The impact to the USAFL will be subtle in the short-term as we do not have a large number of U18 players… but over the long-term it will be important as a young player will have opportunities to play at a high-level much sooner – and it will become a great feeder to the Revolution".

O'Keeffe isn't particularly expecting the AFL to fly US player to Australia for the tournament, but explained that it would be helpful to get the best talent on show. "No expectations – but it would be nice to have support from the AFL so that the best players can make the team. With our senior squads, such as the Revolution, we are never able to field our best teams due to costs. It is just the nature of the evolution of the sport. It would be great if this was not the case for this select team".

Overall USFooty is excited by the World 18 concept, "We believe this is a very innovative move by the AFL and we applaud their courage for trying something new. We hope to see more creative ideas like this in the future. This move is evident of how far the international game has come in a short amount of time".

Canada has a relatively large group of candidates and will put forward some of its young talent, aiming to get between 1 and 3 players selected. Canadian football stalwart and World XVIII Coordinator Canada East, Greg Everett, told us "In Toronto we have a weekly training camp on both Saturday and Sundays for junior players. In November four Ontario AFL clubs in Toronto undertook week long junior clinics at high schools in their area to sign up kids for the new under 18 league starting in 2010. From the 4 clubs 180 kids signed up. These are the kids that we are now targeting to training and try out as the 10+ names we will put forward from Canada. On top of that 3 clubs already had 2 to 3 under 18 playing and these kids are also training but have a head start on the schools clinic kids".

Everett also anticipated candidates from Canada's west. "In Vancouver Mike McFarlane's North Delta Junior league is preparing his 150 kids for selection and as well as initiatives by Stuart Grills and his board from the BCAFL (BCFooty)". McFarlane also spoke to WFN, saying " In British Columbia through the NDJAFL we have some players that will be prime candidates to be selected for the World Team. Unfortunately with the cut off date for the age, we have had to eliminate about 10 players from selection. These are players from our original season and Wolfpack team that travelled to Australia in 2008. Some by as little as 6 weeks".

McFarlane was stronger in the view that the AFL should pay costs such as airfares. "For the AFL to give juniors an opportunity like this is fantastic. Hopefully the AFL will fully support an event they have initiated to make sure the best players are available to play for the World Team unlike the International Cup where a lot of times it is the players that can afford it, make the trip. As a professional organization who will gain the goodwill and publicity from this event. They should not come to amateur organizations to foot the bill".

Everett explained that to get any selected players to Australia, AFL Canada expects to chip in itself as well as assistance coming from the Provincial bodies (OAFL, BCAFL) and the players' parents.

And the Canadian league is already thinking ahead to future years. Everett again, "AFL Canada's position is this is an AFL initiative that should be on going yearly as a way to get kids into the sport. From here kids can be introduced to the national program via club games and provincial championships, then under 23 internationals and Northwind. It is hoped this will again be broken down to North American, South Africa and Europe teams in the future as the sport progresses". McFarlane agreed that the future was bright, "These are initiatives that will bring a higher quality of athlete, at a younger age to the sport. Which in turn will only benefit the international countries and the AFL, as their member clubs will have better quality athletes from more countries to add to their player pool".

Article courtesy of WorldFootyNews.com.

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