2005 has been a big year for the North Carolina Tigers with playing an international match, moving to a newly formed league and starting their own local metro league among the events so far.

Well, in the Physical Education curriculum at least. This is according to an article in Britain’s Guardian newspaper, which discusses the rise of sports that aren't traditional in the UK.

An old favourite and a relative newcomer were the latest US clubs to kick off their 2005 season recently with their nearest rivals. And in other news another team looks to make their debut at this year's National Championships.

The Australian Football League, organisers of the 2005 Australian Football International Cup, have revealed plans to dramatically increase promotion for the tournament compared with the inaugural Cup in 2002.

In our 6th poll, we asked the question "Would you consider contributing financially in any way to international footy?", with the additional information that "The reasoning behind this poll is to gauge the interest of supporters of international footy. We all know clubs and leagues around the world need support (not just financially), and it would be interesting to know whether people would dip into their own pockets. Obviously readers who play outside of Australia already do contribute financially in some way, everytime they pay their fees etc. And many Australians have made some contribution, from donating old or new boots through to paying for scholarships or becoming members of overseas leagues."

The Collingwood sponsorship deal struck today with Wizard has given Collingwood and football a foot in the door with NBC, and negotiations are under way to have Collingwood matches and highlights packages broadcast into Asia. It may also be the first step in bigger things to come.

In the first game ever played by the New Zealand Falcons on home soil, powerhouse Victorian country side Maffra last Saturday July 9th defeated the locals by 70 points, running out 15.10.100 to 4.4.30 victors.

As Australian Football has developed in the United States over the past ten years, a number of clubs have begun using 9-a-side 'Metro Footy' to overcome the hurdles posed by a lack of large enough grounds, small initial squad sizes and the distances between cities.

Now, a new initiative is underway to take 9-a-side footy to the next level with the creation of 'Major League Aussie Rules', a plan which may see metro sides from across the USA competing against each other.

We previously reported a planned match between teams representing the MAAFL from the US and OAFL in Canada. The Canadians were planning on using the match to give valuable team practice to much of the Team Canada Northwind squad. Unfortunately the match has been cancelled due to the MAAFL unable to gather sufficient numbers willing to travel.

Although slightly off the topic of international Aussie Rules, the AFL's plans for expanding the game in Australia play a role in their global vision. Overall the AFL has downplayed its international ambitions, making it clear that the states of New South Wales and Queensland are its priorities in the short to medium term. As such it is very much relevant to international footy that Australian Rules continues its successful push into those states, ultimately generating more resources, and freeing up existing ones, for global development.

After much speculation as to whether the British Bulldogs would be heading to Melbourne for the 2nd International Cup, it is with great pleasure we can announce that the AFL this morning confirmed the Brits will make it. It's believed three countries were struggling, most likely to ensure the necessary finances were in place, but 11 nations will now attend, with only Denmark withdrawing as previously announced.

Star Brisbane Lions defender Mal Michael and AFL PNG will feature on this Thursday's episode of top rating Australian football television program The Footy Show.