AFL South Africa is Seeking a new Financial Officer

By Phindile Khambule
14 March 2007

BACKGROUND

Australian Football League – better known as “Aussie Rules” or “Footy” – is Australia’s biggest sport. Footy is already being played in South Africa since 1997 The Head Office of AFL South Africa is based in Potchefstroom.AFL South Africa, an equal opportunity company, currently has a vacancy for a Financial Officer.
DUTIES

The Financial Officer will be responsible for:
the administration of full financial duties, including bookkeeping, payroll and human resources.
petty cash.
financial reporting and
cash flow management.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The Minimum Requirements are:
Fluent in English
Thorough knowledge of Pastel Accounting necessary
Own transport and a valid drivers licence is essential
A B-degree or diploma, as well as knowledge of the sports environment, may serve as recommendations
For application, hand in a short 2 – 3 page Curriculum Vitae at AFL SA offices at Sedgars Park, Potchefstroom. Alternatively, fax your application to (018) 293-3158 or e-mail to information@aflsouthafrica.org.
Closing Date: 23 March 2007 at 15:00.

Commencement of Duties:1st April 2007

Indigenous Youth Tour – Game 1 & 2

Game 1 – Jabiru

Australian Indigenous Youth: 7 – 11 – 53
South African U/19: 3 – 5 – 23

The first game of the South African’s tour of Australia was played at Jabiru, a mining town in the middle of Kakadu National Park. It could hardly be further from the first games played between Australia and South Africa in early 2006 in South Africa.
The South African team is vastly different from that which competed in the 2005 International Cup in Melbourne and against the Indigenous Youth Team which toured South Africa in February and March 2006. Only four player’s toured Australia and only six played against the Australian’s. This high turnover of players can be attributed to many factors, including players finding work and attending university in provinces where Australian Football is not yet established.
The South African team touring Australia is a much younger team and includes four players from the Western Cape. The Western Cape has a strong rugby culture, the players have all grown up with the oval ball and have good ball skills. The Western Cape is also one of the newest areas for Australian Football development. The third game of the Indigenous tour was played in Stellenbosch which is approximately 30 minutes from Cape Town. This game and the fact that four players have made the South African team can only be good for the development of the game in South Africa.
The South African team put in a very good performance after the Australian team threatened to blow the game apart with very early goals in the first quarter. After the initial onslaught the South African’s got going and started to become competitive. Their attack on the footy and the player with the ball was impressive. Unfortunately some skill and decision making errors allowed the Australian team to push forward and set up goal scoring opportunities.

The game was of a high standard despite the slippery conditions, both teams impressed and the second game promises to be an exciting affair.
The better players for the South African team were Kabelo Boikanyo with two goals, JB Van Zyl, Steven ‘Maplunka’ Matshane, Sinethemba Boki and Kagiso Gaonose.

Game 2 – TIO Stadium, Darwin
Australia South Africa

2 – 2 – 14 0 – 0 – 0

4 – 6 – 30 3 – 0 – 18

6 – 11 – 47 4 – 0 – 24

9 – 14 – 68 4 – 1 – 25

The second game of the South African tour was played at TIO Stadium in Darwin as the curtain raiser for the Indigenous All Stars v Essendon game.
The Australian team were an improved outfit, although young they looked very accomplished. Both teams performed very well in front of an ever growing crowd.
The South African team looked dangerous going forward although they just couldn’t put the score on the board. As with the first game the South Africans applied very good physical pressure on the player with the ball and their attack on the ball was great. But, again as with the first game some skill and decision making errors let them down. Many of the South African players have not played much competitive football. Match practice will help them improve these skills and make them a better team. It’s vital for the South African team to get as much match practice and international exposure as possible. The next couple of months will be great for footy in South Africa as an Australian team, The Convicts are soon to tour South Africa and an AIS Youth team will be touring soon after that as well.
The second quarter saw the South African team score three goals and outscore the Australians. An opportunistic goal right on the half time siren capped off a great quarter and saw the South Africans go into the long break only two goals down. Both teams were played good footy and the ever increasing crowd were enjoying the game.
The second half of the game saw the Australian’s show their quality, only inaccurate kicking stopped the margin from blowing out. A late third quarter goal to South Africa gave them a glimmer of hope heading into the last quarter. The pace of the game slowed in the last term due largely to the oppressive conditions and both teams hectic schedule. In the end the Australian team ran out 43 point winners and won the series 2 – 0. However, the result is not as important as the development of the players and the game in South Africa, Both of which have taken large steps forward with this tour.
The South Africans impressed and improved in the two games played and no doubt gained some valuable insights from assistant coach Peter Schwab. Having such football knowledge involved with the team can only be good for the development of the players and the game in South Africa.
The two games played so far show the potential of the game in South Africa. The third and final game of their tour is to be played in Perth against a team from the Clontarf academy.
The better players for South Africa were Julian Horn, Steven ‘Maplunka’ Matshane, Samuel ‘The Mask’ Sethibe and Sandile Xhasa.

Thank you to The Convicts

By Phindile Khambule
06 March 2007

AFL South Africa would like to thank The Convicts for coming once again to South Africa. It has truly been great fun and a wonderful experience for our players.

This was their second tour to South Africa and we are looking forward to their third visit in two years time. This trip was surely a good sign that Australian Football is growing in South Africa. No doubt that our players are improving, they have managed to win at least one game. We wish them a success on their coming travel to US and Canada, until we meet again.

Please read the reports below form Anthony Nanfra about the games.

Game 1 – Convicts Too good For North West Province by Anthony Nanfra 22/02/2007

The Australian Convicts continued their unbeaten International run with a convincing 37 point win against a team comprising players from the North West province of South Africa. The Convicts lead from start to finish and unveiled some boon new recruits including Kalgoolie league best and fairest winner from 2004, Clinton Rudd. He controlled the center corridor to set up wave after wave of attack. The Convict engine room with Anthony Dhillon and Sean Millane (editor: both Convicts stalwarts) firing left the home side floundering in many stoppages and forced the opposition into unforced errors on numerous occasions.

North West also had no answer to the prowess of rucking giant Dean Trawarn. North West players played better after the main break but it wasn’t enough in an often spiteful second half, Jason Chandler booting 5 goals in a superb display at full forward. The Convicts were just too good against a slightly inexperienced North West team. They now go to Mafikeng to pit their fortunes against another North West province selection in a game on Saturday.

Played at Modahin Stadium Potchefstroom

Scores: Australian Convicts: 3.3, 6.8, 10.10, 13.11 (89)
North West Province: 3.2, 4.3, 5.3, 8.4 (52)

Goals Convicts: Chandler 8, Krake 2, Dhillon 1, Millane 1, Rudd 1
Best Players: Rudd, Dhillon, Chandler, Millane, Trewarn, Doherty

Goals North West: Mtutu 3, Jonker 3, Visser, Swanepoel
Best Players: Jonker, Horn, Swanepoel

Game 2 – Convicts win again In Mafikeng by Anthony Nanfra 24/02/07

The Australian Convicts have again defeated a combined North West team by 35 points this time in Mafikeng. The game was played on a rugby oval at The Mafikeng international school on 24th February. Again it was the midfield with Rudd, Dhillon and Jamie Baker running out of half back which gave the Convicts the drive. Good work finished by a magnificent haul of 9 goals from Jason Chandler. He was unstoppable even with 2 players playing his every move. This group of North West players was much improved, many of them recently completing the South African tour of Darwin earlier this month. The game was always close with the Convicts moving away at every change. Played in really good spirits the Convicts move to Soweto to play their final game on Wednesday.

Played at Mafikeng International School Mafikeng

Scores: Australian Convicts: 5.4, 8.7, 14.11, 15.12 (102)
North West Province: 2.1, 4.3, 8.4, 10.7 (67)

Goals Convicts: Chandler 9, Rudd 5, Dhillon 2
Best Players: Rudd, Dhillon, Chandler, Baker, Doherty, Millane

Goals North West: not available
Best Players: Steven, D’nio, Opah

Game 3 – South Africa break through for their first ever win! 28/02/07

South Africa has showed it is a constant improver by posting its first ever win against the Convicts. Played at the picturesque Soweto cricket oval, the convicts went into the match with numerous injuries which certainly would have ruled many players out but the players soldiered on against a fresh and pacy African outfit.

The first qtr showed the fast sth African players kicking 4 goals to one with the convicts clearly struggling with the pace of the game. In the second the convicts hit back with the aid of a breeze, more direct play and a lift in intensity saw the convicts down by one goal at the half.

In the third it was very even with one goal to each team the game played at a cracking pace with the convicts still 2 goals in arrears with a qtr to go.

The last quarter was a classic with the convicts throwing everything at the South Africans. The convicts tried to peg the deficient with one minute to go were 1 point behind but an on the siren goal from the South Africans made the final margin 7 points. Sth African players jubilant with their first win ever against the Convicts.

The Convicts beaten but not disgraced weight of injuries taking its toll finally against a gallant group of South African players who had clearly learned lots about the game in the last 2 years.

Scores: Australian Convicts: 1.0, 6.3, 7.3, 9.6.60
Defeated by
South Africa: 4.1, 7.3, 9.7, 10.7.67 Goals Convicts: Chandler 5, Krake 3, Deano 1

Best Players: Rudd, Dhillon, Chandler, Deano, Millane, Krake
Goals North West: N/A
Best Players: Steven, D’nio, Opah,Played at Soweto cricket oval.

Official Votes:

Rudd 3,3,3,3
Dhiollo 2,
Millane 2,1
Deano 1
Baker 1,2,2
Neil 1