AFL Cup Joy
Peter Fletcher
Warrnambool Standard
November 21, 2007
WARRNAMBOOL will be announced as host of the AFL International Cup qualifying rounds when the 2008 event is launched in the city next week.
Warrnambool City Council has sent invitations to football-netball club presidents to attend the launch on Tuesday at Reid Oval, prompting Hampden Football Netball League president Alan Rourke to confirm the successful bid on Monday night in Cobden.
Council executive manager of recreation and cultural services Russell Lineham yesterday declined to comment ahead of Tuesday's official announcement.
Rourke told club delegates at the league's annual meeting the International Cup would bring overseas teams to Warrnambool in August and September next year.
He said club representatives from the HFNL and Warrnambool and District Football Netball League would be invited to attend a meeting with organisers to be briefed on possible support roles with visiting sides.
The city council's submission to host the event was supported by the HFNL and WDFNL, making it a frontrunner with the AFL committee organising the event.
With 16 international teams spending four days in Warrnambool from Sunday, August 31, financial benefits are estimated between $200,000 to $300,000.
Qualifying matches are scheduled for Monday, September 1, and Wednesday, September 3, split by a rest day.
Finals will be played at a later date in
Wangaratta successfully hosted the cup's qualifying rounds when the event was last held three years ago.
The inaugural cup was held in
One of the aims of the event is to promote
Countries to be represented next year in the Cup competition include Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Sweden, Tonga and the United States.
With games played on weekdays, the cup is not expected to intrude on the domestic football-netball competitions.
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