DALLAS TO HOST THE EAST/WEST GAME

The USAFL and the Dallas Magpies are pleased to announce that the 2005 EAST vs WEST All Star game will be held on April 30^th in Dallas, Texas. The top players from the US will be gathering to play in the first ever North American televised game.

This has become an important showcase of the talent we have playing in our league and this year should be no exception. Revolution Coach Alan Nugent will use this tournament as a final tune up for the US assault on the International Cup in Melbourne Australia in August. 35 of our best US born players will have the unique opportunity to represent their country in Football.

The final Squad that will represent the USA will be announced at the All Star Banquet on Saturday night. The best of the best in the US will be trying to secure their spot in history, so make sure you get in early for your chance to play along side them, or just make you way there to watch everyone try out. This will be a magnificent weekend of high skilled football.

Tom Ellis will coach the West side for his second year in the role, while the East will be coached by Robert Oliver, who will be coaching the East for his third year.

The 2004 Showdown saw 2 hard fought matches played at great pace and intensity with the East coming from behind to win it in a thriller.

2005 looks like it will be a Showdown to remember.

As in the first 2 years there will be 2 matches, clubs will be invited to send in nominations for players to take part in these games. Players need to be registered with the USAFL to take part in the All Star Matches, with the 50/50 rule applying in both games.

All nomination information for the weekend must be completed by March 15^th on the nominations page. Login information and passwords have been emailed to each club president who will be responsible for their clubs nominations.

Information regarding hotels, meetings, banquet arrangements and the exciting phase we venture into in 2005 with the televising of USAFL sanctioned games through ASTN can be found via the navigation links to the left.

USAFL Executive Board.

About Australian Rules Football

Developed in the mid 1800s, Australian Rules Football, also known as "Footy", is normally played on an oval field with four posts at both ends of the oval. The two center poles (the goal posts) are slightly longer than the two outer poles (the point posts). The sizes of the fields vary, but are average approximately 125 yards wide and 175 yards long. Scoring depends on how the ball passes through the posts.

There are 18 players on the field. The ball is passed from player to player by hitting it with the hand (not throwing it), kicking it or running down the field to the goal posts. The game is played in four twenty-minute quarters, with no timeouts. The object of the game is to get the highest number of points by the end of the game.

About the Dallas Magpies:

The Dallas Magpies are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, dedicated to fostering national and international amateur sports competition as well as promoting a cultural exchange between Americans and Australians. The Magpies participate in the Mid American Australian Football League, a division of the United States Australian Football League, and also have a player, Brandon Blankenship, competing on the U.S. National team during international competition. The team is active in promoting the Australian national sport and Australian culture through clinics at area schools and by sponsoring events such as the annual Australia Day and ANZAC Day celebrations in the Metroplex.

For more details on organizing a school clinic, playing footy with the team or supporting the Dallas Magpies Australian Football Club, e-mail the recruiting department (recruiting@dallasfooty.com).