With the formation of the European Australian Football Association a lot more attention is being focussed on Australian Football in Europe. That is now set to increase with the announcement by the AFL that Robert 'Dipper' Dipierdominico is to become an official ambassador for the new European Association.

Dipper, of Italian descent was a star in three decades of VFL/AFL Football wining 5 Day and 5 Night Premierships b

This Year's domestic season commences on March 6th, with the first round of the inaugural Smats.net Draft Cup. This is a new competition and it is essential that all players wishing to take part register before March 1st to be eligible for the first round. We've already had a great deal of interest in the competition, but in case you still don't know about it, we've answered some of your questions.

What is the Purpose

This year's ARFLI AGM took place in the Maldron Hotel in Portlaoise on saturday last and a number of issues relating to the season ahead were dealt with. There were representative's from seven clubs in attendance with the Belfast Redbacks sending their apologies.

Of the outgoing executive three officers were re-elected unopposed, they being Ciaran O' Hara as President; Joe Cunnane as treasurer and John Enright as International Liaison Officer. The departure of Damien Herbert and John Dunne to Australia meant that the positions of Vice-President and Public Relations Officer were vaca

This week the Irish Exiles team in the UK, have formally affiliated with ARFLI. The team which was started last year to play matches against the England Dragonslayers and to compete in the E.U Cup have become a focal point for Irish players in the ARUK and AFL Britain competitions. Players on the team from now on will be onsidered for our National Team, the Irish Warriors as they look forward to the European Ch

Last weekend in Frankfurt the framework for a European Australian Football Association agreed. 15 Leagues, including Ireland were in attendance and the concept was ratified unanimously. The Association is tasked with ensure that our great sport develops accross the continent from Iceland in the West to Russia in the East.

One of the immediate issues arising from the Association's existence is that this August the inaugural European Championships will take place in Copenhagen and Malmo and the Irish Warriors will of course be there. In addition to this Ireland will also be sending a

Today the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland and the SMATS Group announced the extension of their partnership. The SMATS Group have been the major sponsors of ARFLI competition since 2008 and the extension of the contract means that they will once ag