Sydney welcomes the WORLD
Footballers from all corners of the globe will descend on Sydney’s West next week for the 2011 AFL International Cup.
Community venues around Sydney will host matches from Saturday August 13 to Saturday August 20.
The unique Australian football carnival will involve 18 teams: Canada, China, Denmark, East Timor, Fiji, France, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Japan, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peace Team (comprising of both Israeli and Palestinian players), Sweden, South Africa, Tonga and USA.
It is the fourth International Cup and four nations will make their debut; East Timor, Fiji, France, and Tonga. For the first time five women’s teams will also participate; Canada, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, USA and a combined Australian multicultural and Indigenous team.
Blacktown International Sportspark will host the inaugural Festival of Nations on the opening day – Saturday August 13. The festival will feature activities including cultural food stalls, face painters, jumping castle, kids’ clinics (from 9.30am – 10.30am) and the football action.
The men’s teams will play seeding matches on the opening day. Teams will then be placed in two divisions. To confirm where and when each nation is playing, visit www.ic11.com.au from 9pm Saturday August 13.
Former Sydney Swans captain and premiership player Brett Kirk is the International Cup ambassador. He is looking forward to introducing the nations to Sydney.
“I’ve met many of the participants during my six month voyage around the world and I’ve got an insight to their passion for Australian football.
“With over 800 players and officials taking part in the carnival, this will be the biggest and most exciting International Cup yet.
“We look forward to welcoming the nations, watching them compete and experience the role Australian football plays in bringing cultures together,” Brett said.
No expatriate Australians are eligible to play in the International Cup. Teams are comprised solely of amateurs who must be nationals of the country they represent. All players must have lived the majority of the years aged between 10 and 16 as a citizen of their nation.
Previous International Cup winners are; Ireland (2002), New Zealand (2005) and Papua New Guinea (2008).
