THE West Australian Football Commission is searching for country footballers throughout the state to travel to America to compete in the United States Australian Football League national championships in Austin, Texas this October.
The players would stay a fortnight in the US with the championships spanning over one weekend.
WAFC general manager of country football Joe Georgiades said the commission was “putting the feelers” out and gauging interest for the trip.
“We’re just trying to gather information and see how many players would be keen to make the trip,” he said.
“We’re not selecting the best side of WA or anything like that – we’re simply taking around 25 country footballers who would be good ambassadors for the game.”
The championships will consist of approximately thirty teams competing with the WA side playing a representative game after the tournament.
Georgiades said sending a team would help to strengthen the relationship between the USAFL and Australian football.
“We used to have a really strong relationship with the US,” he said.
“That’s probably not as strong as it once was and we’re really keen to build on that again.”
The players will spend most of their time on the West Coast of the US, visiting cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New Orleans.
Georgiades said this would provide a strong opportunity for local Australian footballers to build relationships with American players.
“If the players can build a strong enough relationship and become mates with a few of the American boys then you might find they come over here to play for a season or two,” he said.
“That could also work the other way with some of our guys possibly helping to build the game over there.
“If a WAFL or VFL level player went over to the US for a season it would help them a lot.”
For more information on the trip or to register your interest email Joe Georgiades at JGeorgiades@wafc.com.au or like the West Australian Country Football League on Facebook.