Welcome

Dear Players, Supporters and Volunteers,

A very warm welcome to EU Cup 2008 in Prague. It makes me very proud to be able to welcome you all to the Czech Republic.

The EU Cup has come along way since the first event in London in 2005. Hamburg in 2007 was a great success, played in great spirit and with a fantastic ground in Stadtpark. Now a year later in Prague we have raised the bar yet again to incorporate two superb fields and our very first official dinner. It has been our aim to continue to improve on all aspects of the cup including grounds, facilities, media coverage and functions.

An extended welcome to Croatia who will debut in this year's EU Cup and a welcome back to Scotland who are returning to the competition this year.

Australian Footballs are spreading deeper into Eastern Europe. I would like to welcome representatives attending the EU Cup and ARE Conference for the first time from Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Hungary. These countries will also join with players from Czech Republic and Croatia to form the EU Crusaders.

As you can appreciate a lot of hard work has gone into making the event happen and I would like to thank the following organisations for their support:

Interdean Prague, Canadian Medical Care, Czech Australian New Zealand Association, Burley Sekem, Fremantle Football Club, AFL, Iris Congress Hotel Prague and Slavia Rugby Club.

I would also like to thank the following individuals for all their hard work. Without their input the event simply would not have happened; Kolja Koracak for his tireless efforts designing the T-shirts, Posters and program; Greg Johnson for his great management of the facilities; Martina Novakova for her professional skills in promoting and supporting the organisation of the event.

Ina Koldová from Del Ponte here in Prague has also done a excellent job in promoting and informing Prague about Australian Rules Football – thank you Ina for all your hard work.

As with last year, the organising committee consisting of Philip Porublev, Brian Clarke and Kevin Anderson, have spent countless hours preparing the event. A big thank you to each member for their exceptional work.

Which country will carry the EU Cup Trophy over Charles Bridge in 2008? The very best of luck to all teams!

Yours Sincerely

Ashley Ball

Tournament Director