PRESS RELEASE
17May,2005
AFL South Africa held a press conference on 11 May 2005 at 11:00am at the University of Johannesburg (RAU) Astroturf Hockey Club House to announce some exciting developments in Australian Football in South Africa.
Brian Dixon, Chairperson of AFL South Africa on that day announced the appointment of Jean Verster as the new Executive Officer of AFL South Africa. He takes over from Steve Harrison who will remain on as Head Coach until his contract ends on September 12th.
Mr Dixon also announced a new Head Coach, Mtutuzeli Hlomela, who will commence work in September, a new Development Officer July Machethe, and a new Administrative Assistant Phindile Khambule. Mr Dixon said it was a testament to Steve Harrison that he is being replaced by three full time people and one part time person.
Mr Dixon also announced that AFL funding will be increased to R500,000 per year for the next three years. This will be in addition to existing funding from Tattersalls, the National Lotto Distribution Trust Fund, the North West Provincial Government, the North West Academy of Sport and other donors.
Jean Verster said he is very excited at the prospect of growing AFL in South Africa. He is looking to grow AFL participation to be the highest rate outside Australia. He said that AFL is a new sport to South Africa and is able to be played by all sectors of our population on equal terms.
Mr Verster said he will be concentrating on the development of primary and secondary school children. Potchefstroom will be a very strong base for development as well as other areas of the North West Province, Gauteng and Western Cape.
It is proposed that Mr Verster, Mr Hlomela, Mr Machethe, and Ms Khambule will all go to Melbourne for the 2005 International Cup as part of a party of thirty five players and officials. The Cup will be contested by twelve nations – South Africa, Canada, Demark, Ireland, Japan, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Spain, England and the USA in August.
All four new appointments will stay in Melbourne for briefings with the AFL and National league teams. The St Kilda Football Club, which visited Potchefstroom last November will host South Africa during the International Cup.
Mr Verster said the second of three training camps will be held in Potchefstroom between May 20-22 for the International Cup squad.
