AFANA Footy BBS

I am interseted in forming a pro indoor footy league. The league would play in the US. The league would play in 2001. First year teams will not pay a franchose fee. I believe that the game would be lot more exciting than indoor football. For more info on the Pro Indoor Footy League, please email me. I welcome your input and suggestions.

> I am interseted in forming a pro indoor footy league. The league would
> play in the US. The league would play in 2001. First year teams will not
> pay a franchose fee. I believe that the game would be lot more exciting
> than indoor football. For more info on the Pro Indoor Footy League, please
> email me. I welcome your input and suggestions.

We've also received your e-mail and someone from AFANA will be in touch. I've removed your second posting on this same subject.

Regards,

-Rob
-AFANA CEO

AFANA home page

I'm wondering how footy will play indoors. To me, one of the important things about footy is the HUGE fields which allow for a wide open game with lots of passing and kicking between scores. I'm wondering if an indoor arena is too small. Except for places like the Superdome or Silverdome, a good player could probably kick a goal from the opposite end of the field unless the ball was "deadened". Maybe you could use a nerf football (joke).

Are there any other indoor footy leagues? How are the rules adjusted to accomodate for the smaller fields?

There is a version for nine (think) that's played on an oval about the size of a
soccer field I wish I could remember more but I couldn't even tell you whereb i heard about it

> I'm wondering how footy will play indoors. To me, one of the important

There is [was] a version of Aussie Rules which is played in an 'indoor cricket' court (100' x 40-50') I don't know what the rules are or where to find them.

Pro indoor footy would be played on a artifical turf measuring 200'x 85'. Goal post would be installed at either end of the field. The width between the posts would be reduced to accomadate the field size. A 8 or 9 player format would be used. Players would make $200 a game in 2001. For more info please email me thanks.

Where are you gunna find turf fields that size? How about a team in Vancouver?

> Pro indoor footy would be played on a artifical turf measuring 200'x 85'.
> Goal post would be installed at either end of the field. The width between
> the posts would be reduced to accomadate the field size. A 8 or 9 player
> format would be used. Players would make $200 a game in 2001. For more
> info please email me thanks.

> Pro indoor footy would be played on a artifical turf measuring 200'x 85'.

200 feet is about 61 meters. A strong kicker, with a couple good bounces, should be able to kick the ball the length of the field. I would think that most 'average' players should be able to kick it about 40 meters (2/3 of the field length).

This sounds like a pretty fascinating idea. However, I'm not sure how it would fly.

Sure it would be more exciting than the AFL (US AFL not Australian AFL) but what about fan support and fields. The AFL can put teams in smaller-sized indoor facilities because the field is only 50 yards long (not including end zones). The width isn't standard football width either, I believe. How would you adapt the much more bigger footy field into an arena? I'm not sure how many arenas in the US could support such a large oval indoor field.

Then, of course, there is fan support. IMHO, it would be hard to start a professional league in the US based on a version of an Australian sport that is still viewed by many Americans as either an oddity, a form of Rugby, or both. In order to support an indoor team, you'd need major cash to not only pay the players, but keep the facility clean and usuable.

I really can't see this being to profitable for at least a few years unless you get some really hard-core sponsors to plunk down some major cash. Then, you'd have to start producing results else they'd pull the plug.

Those are just my opinions on this. I really think it's an excellent idea. I am just not too sure on how it's going to be executed to be a viable league. Good luck!

Ben
AFANA Webmaster
Carlton Blues Supporter
Rabid Univ. of Michigan Wolverines Supporter

> I am interseted in forming a pro indoor footy league. The league would
> play in the US. The league would play in 2001. First year teams will not
> pay a franchose fee. I believe that the game would be lot more exciting
> than indoor football. For more info on the Pro Indoor Footy League, please
> email me. I welcome your input and suggestions.
BR>

Australian Football Association of North America

Thanks for your input. I agree that it will take awhile to get fans to accept indoor footy. As far as it being a foreign sport, at one time hockey was foreign and now they are working on indoor lacrosse.
Footy is football without pads. It is a vicious sport which will appeal to the American public. When I first started on the concept I thought by fielding 8 teams it would be build a Aussie fan base. I think that instead of 8 that 6 would be a more suitable number.
I have talked with a few people about footy that was played 5 to a side in a cricket indoor arena. I was told that the game was quite exciting. I am open to suggestions and comments. Please email me at bcpigskin@netscape.net
Thanks
bonecrusher

> This sounds like a pretty fascinating idea. However, I'm not sure how it
> would fly.

> Sure it would be more exciting than the AFL (US AFL not Australian AFL)
> but what about fan support and fields. The AFL can put teams in
> smaller-sized indoor facilities because the field is only 50 yards long
> (not including end zones). The width isn't standard football width either,
> I believe. How would you adapt the much more bigger footy field into an
> arena? I'm not sure how many arenas in the US could support such a large
> oval indoor field.

> Then, of course, there is fan support. IMHO, it would be hard to start a
> professional league in the US based on a version of an Australian sport
> that is still viewed by many Americans as either an oddity, a form of
> Rugby, or both. In order to support an indoor team, you'd need major cash
> to not only pay the players, but keep the facility clean and usuable.

> I really can't see this being to profitable for at least a few years
> unless you get some really hard-core sponsors to plunk down some major
> cash. Then, you'd have to start producing results else they'd pull the
> plug.

> Those are just my opinions on this. I really think it's an excellent
> idea. I am just not too sure on how it's going to be executed to be a
> viable league. Good luck!

> Ben
> AFANA Webmaster
> Carlton Blues Supporter
> Rabid Univ. of Michigan Wolverines Supporter

As I've indicated in previous posts, I'm skeptical that footy could be adapted to such a small field and still retain its excitement. For example, the center circle would be only 30 meters from the goals. A player could take a center bounce and score a goal on one kick. Exciting?

I wish you well in your endeavor and hope you prove me wrong.

Goodluck.