Bear's Gridiron in Australia Forums

1) Jason Vaka  (Metro Lions) assigned to Tulsa Talons (Oklahoma)

2) Andrew Asaua (Metro Lions) assigned to Boise Burn. (Idaho)

3) Alma Clayton (Metro Lions) assigned to Texas Copperheads. (Texas)

4) Ezra Clayton (Metro Lions) assigned to Manchester Wolves. (New Hampshire)

5) Adam Felix (Metro Lions) assigned to Tennessee Valley Vipers. (Tennessee)

6) Paul Dalzell (Metro Lions) assigned to Lexington Horseman (Kentucky)

7) Euan McGhie (Metro Lions) assigned to Iowa Barnstormers (Iowa)

8) Cory Meleisea (Metro Lions) assigned to Mahoning Valley Thunder (Ohio)

9) Ephram White (North Harbour Pride) assigned to Lubbock Renegades (Texas).

10) Tyler Matia (Papatoetoe Wildcats) assigned to Rio Grande Valley Dorado's (Texas)

11) Joseph Taula (Papatoetoe Wildcats) assigned to Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (Louisiana)

A few minor oversights though with the post-

They're all on AF2 teams, not AF1 teams, BIG $$$ difference.

Define "playing professionally"? AF2 salary is US $200 per week, or $250 if you win, less 10-15% in federal taxes. Although they all get FREE accomodation and vouchers for free food from local fast food type places. (And I don't think they can LEGALLY work at a 2nd job, in the US for anyone except Arena Football who would be their work VISA sponsor.)

What's it mean to be "assigned"? Do they have a gaurantee to make the team after they pay for their own flights to the US? You'd think they would still have to "try out" with all the others wanting to make the team?

I could be wrong on my points, but until someone who KNOWS chimes in, I think I'm right!

Some Australians went over to play AF2 in years gone by, not sure exactly what happened, but they didn't end up playing. From what I heard there were still a lot of rules and regulations in their way between AF1 and the US Government visa, I think it was too hard.

I think the Australian gridiron state bodies could learn a HELL of a LOT from the way that AF2 teams are run, it's interesting what some smoke, mirrors and a free football can do! (Especially when you have AF1 as a big brother to your league.)

Forget AF1, they're too well off financially to learn from, but most things done in AF2 could be done in Australia.

Of all the named players I only know/coached/seen Jason play and he would be good enough to compete at that level, no doubt there are others there too who will benefit from the opportunity.

Even if it is sitting on the bench, it is a great opportunity for these guys to be part of something. It's also a way to play in the US without going through college, could suit a lot of Aussie and Kiwis players that either don't have the smarts to go to college, are too old to do so, or have other reasons for not being able to go to uni.

Is there still a pathway for you Aussies to AF2?

Happy New Year also guys and girls. In 2008, NZ might even win something - anything.........

AF2 Teams now apply for a P1 visa which is professional sports 1. This visa clssification allows "international players" to work during the visa period. P1 visa is the same type of visa that Sav Rocca and the rest of the AFL boys who become punters are on. The only difference is that all AF2 contracts are for one season so the process needs to happen al over again. ie before the 31st of Dec in the year before you go as their is a strict limit on the numbers of P1 issued.

The Team then will pay you $200.00 and usually your Hotel for the week cost you around $50.00 and then you have transport issues to over come or'll you be walking for around 2 hours for a coupon lunch. ( when yanks say its a few block - take a cab!) your gym membership is inculsive plus a lot of other tid bits.

The International Player will suit for every home game and be an extra pair of legs. The team have 2 Roster spots but only 1 international can suit for the game. so best to go to a team that has not any X League players as you'll just be practising. As far as playing away from Home its up to the team if they want to bus you that far. yes Bus some trips are over 18hours one way and turn around straight after the game so the guys can be back at work Monday- tough stuff

Jason is a fantastic player at the Arena format and he would be seeing serious game time by now.

The path way is still open for Australian Based Players but you have to know the right people to get a crack at it. as it seems the powers that be have not put it high on the list of things to do?

In my opinion its a format that we should be taking very seriouly as most of our top players would get a season at being and Interantional players on these squads and you train with Div1 scholarship players.

Hope this puts a bit more meat on the bone for the forum public.

Love Arena Football

And an additional question; I noticed that those guys on the list that have played more than one year play for a new team each year. Do you know why that is?

Cheers

Wayne

Edited: 2/01/2008 6:34:03 AM by Kiwi Wayne

I noticed your post was edited?

Bretts information about payment is correct at AF2 Level. Most of his Information is spot on.

Players get assigned to diffrent teams every year for a large variety of reasons. AF2 like International players in such small markets - helps with promotion, coaches move team more often than not and some love the idea and other don't. If I were an AFL coach I'd get a Mike Harvey tomorrow - a Kicker that you can dress every game and actually be 1 US player up on the oppostion ie dress  an extra lineman? what is that worth to a team?

Being "assigned" is how the AF2 system works. Teams have try outs coaches pick from them assigned players are players the AFL administration would like to see get an opportunity to play. At this Level Arena Administration plays cupid between players and teams.

Cheers

Love Arena Football

So, would I be right in thinking that:

A player pays their own way to get to their team.

The team supplies your accommodation in an hotel or similar. Or are you paying for that yourself?

They pay you asbout $US200 a week.

You also get some meal vouchers, gym membership and various other goodies depending on what the team can arrange. 

Not a great living but certainly a great opportunity for guys from down here. A good deal for someone who lives in the town of the team and might have other employment. A chance (however remote) for those wanting it, to try and advance to an AFL team or something else.

Yes you have to arrange your own flight as all players in the US have to make thier way to the team on their own. Big difference we are taking flights.

Your Hotel could be comped or you would pay the $50.00 per week. The opportunity to work would be there for the right person. For example if a player was a personal trainer he would do quite well

Most people should know that US based AF2 "Franchise" runs for around $500 to $750K from last source of information on the subject. so this leads to a very wide demographic on owns teams. ie some actual venues own the team as a way to fill in the off peak time between basketball and ice hockey - yes their are many more small midwest leagues than the big one's - you'll love this one the venue that has the arean team will achieve the rebate level for the licensed soft drink providor which basic becomes the profit - tickets and sponsorship cover costs and coke give you the $$. As Brett Stated we could learn a lot on how to do more on nothing.

Now down to Business Wayne Are you prepared to run an Australian based Arena Team?

Cheers

Love Arena Football

I'd totally love to be involved in an effort to get a national area league competition started, but there'd need to be a major feasibility study done before anything should be done.  I mean, after all, can a league survive with an average attendance of 2,500 - or less?

I'm certainly keen to be involved in some way with the Arena concept but I'm not sure how that might work given my location.

Email me on w.j.wright@clear.net.nz if you have any ideas on how that might work.