This coming Wednesday the WorkSafe VCFL’s two State teams will be heading to Canberra to compete in the 2010 Landmark Australian Country Football Carnival.
As many will know the WorkSafe VCFL has been represented at the Australian Country Championships since its inception in 1990 with a team selected from our Major Leagues. Over the past twenty years this team has won seven Championships in the bi-annual Carnival.
From 2002 an opportunity presented itself to allow the WorkSafe VCFL to send a second team to the Carnival and this team was specifically selected from our VCFL District Leagues. Since 2002 this team has won two Championships.
In 2010 the WorkSafe VCFL will again be giving the opportunity to 50 players across the two teams to represent us in Canberra from July 21st - 25th. Due to the withdrawal of the Aboriginal All-Stars from the 2010 Landmark Carnival there will be teams from WA, SA, NSW, QLD, ACT and the two Victorian teams, with all seven competing in one division as against the two division format of past Carnivals.
This is the first time Canberra will be hosting a Landmark Australian Country Football Carnival and I’m sure the visiting States will be mindful of playing in a cool climate, which for the northern States will be a real testing experience.
The Carnival these days is played on the Thursday and Friday, with the rankings as of the Friday night designating who will play off for the Landmark Cup on the Sunday (at Manuka Oval) and who will compete in the other finals for ranking positions. The preliminary rounds are played over 2 x 17 ½ minute halves, with the finals being full length games (except the 5th, 6th & 7th teams who play a round robin on the Sunday).
As I also wear another hat, being the President of the Australian Country Football Council, I can report there has been significant interest in this year’s event from all AFL Club recruiters. The success of mature age recruits such as Michael Barlow, Liam Picken, James Podsiadly and Scott Thompson in the past couple of years has seen all AFL Clubs looking for that “diamond in the rough” so to speak. When we also consider the AFL expansion of the gold Coast and GWS over the next two years, it is a fact that another 100 footballers are required to fill their lists – there will no doubt be extra opportunities for those players not picked up in the traditional system of TAC Cup or State Leagues. Who may generate interest in Canberra?
The two VCFL teams will be coached by Hawthorn legend Peter Knights (who needs no introduction) for the Major League team, with Ron Thomas, former Richmond player, Sydney Swans assistant coach, NSW AFL coach, Sydney Swans General Manager and successful country and metropolitan premiership coach being at the helm of our District State team.
The final teams will be on www.vcfl.com.au and www.acfc.com.au on Monday morning after their final training run on Sunday morning.
Congratulations to all players selected to represent the WorkSafe VCFL (including those that made the original squads) and our appreciation to the coaches, team managers, selectors and support staff for their dedicated contributions. We also congratulate the eight VCFL umpires that will be officiating at the Carnival and they are listed on the website.
Finally, I would like to express our appreciation of Landmark as naming rights sponsor for their second Carnival, JLT Sport, Cougar Sportswear and the AFL for their significant support of this important Carnival.
To WorkSafe for their ongoing support of the VCFL and State representative football and to the Barooga Sports Club for their sponsorship of the VCFL District State team for the third consecutive year, we thank you.
Through my role with the ACFC I need to present an impartial view on the outcome of the Carnival but I must say I won’t be upset with a Victorian victory.
Good luck to the Vics and we trust all involved enjoy the experience.
Best Regards,
Glenn Scott
Chief Executive Officer
WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League
P.S. Again for further information prior to and during the Carnival please go to www.vcfl.com.au and www.acfc.com.au or tune into WIN TV for regular news reports prior to and during the Carnival
Last Modified on 13/07/2010 17:04