World Footy News

In another step forward for international football development, five members of the South African Lions have donned the Swan Districts guernsey and played in the WAFL, one of Australia's top state leagues, under the watchful eye of the Fremantle Dockers. Furthermore, their trip was given excellent coverage in The West Australian newspaper. Pictured at left is Fremantle's Des Headland with 17 year old North West Province player Tshepiso Mogapi. There's also news that Collingwood and West Coast are increasingly likely to play in Cape Town next year.

The players are getting some valuable experience in Australia prior to the AFL's International Cup (just 15 days to go). Just as importantly these young men are the public face of growing the game internationally. Swan Districts football operations general manager Brendan Parker will be chairman of selectors for the South Africa Lions at the Cup, and has already visited South Africa during the national titles.

Malinga and Matshane played in the Swan Districts Reserves (unfortunately on the end of a 65 point loss to West Perth). Better news for Sobetwa, Phakedi and Mogapi who played in Swan Districts' 27 point win in the Colts (under 18s), with Tshepiso Mogapi named in the best players. It's thought the players will suit up again next weekend. The WAFL is certainly something of a trail-blazer for international footy, with West Perth having hosted Milwaukee's Brunmeier brothers in recent times.

Sobetwa, a talented young football from the Khayelitsha township in Cape Town said of his opportunity to travel to Australia for the first time "I am so excited to be chosen to represent South Africa at the International Cup. I am even more excited to have the chance to play with Swan Districts in the WAFL at a much higher level, not to mention the chance to meet some of the Fremantle FC players and see them in a real, live AFL game. There is so much I am looking forward to in the coming weeks – it’s so exciting to go overseas for the first time ever, but playing alongside my South African team mates in Melbourne will definitely be the highlight".

In addition to match experience (the boys will play at least two games for the Swans), the boys will train twice a day, going through a range of skill and fitness sessions, including ‘game review’ utilising the club’s video analysis systems. The players will also get to watch Fremantle FC play St. Kilda FC in their home game at Subiaco Oval this weekend and even spend some time soaking up the atmosphere in the change rooms before and after the game. To top off the whole experience they will spend some time visiting local primary schools to help conduct school coaching clinics with Swan Districts Development staff.

In related news, the West Australian reported that AFL officials have examined Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town in Western Cape and the previously mooted NAB Cup match between Collingwood and West Coast is likely in February 2009. Being slightly undersize for Aussie Rules, the teams would likely play 16 a side, something we're seeing more of at the highest level to allow for smaller fields in non-traditional Australian football areas.

Left to right: Steven Malinga (Lions vice-captain), Thabiso Phakedi, Des Headland, Tshepiso Mogapi, Steven Matshane and Bayanda Sobetwa. Photo and further details courtesy of Fremantle Football Club.


Name: Bayanda Sobetwa
DOB: 13/03/90 (18 years)
Home Town: Cape Town, Western Cape
Team: Khayelitsha Divines
AFL Team: Collingwood
Favourite Player: Harry O'Brian

Name: Steven Matshane
DOB: 02/04/88 (20 years)
Home Town: Mafikeng, North West
Team: Mafikeng Killer Bees
AFL Team: Fremantle
Favourite Player: Matthew Pavlich

Name: Steven Malinga
DOB: 07/05/82 (26 years)
Home Town: Itsoseng, North West
Team: Itsoseng Kangaroos
AFL Team: Essendon
Favourite Player: Scott Lucas
Name: Thabiso Phakedi
DOB: 25/02/90 (18 years)
Home Town: Morokweng, North West
Team: Morokweng FC
AFL Team: Fremantle
Favourite Player: Jeff Farmer

Name: Tshepiso Mogapi
DOB: 28/02/91 (17 years)
Home Town: Itsoseng, North West
Team: Itsoseng Kangaroos
AFL Team: Sydney
Favourite Player: Matthew Lloyd