Australian Football Association of North America

By Kim Densham for AFANA in Melbourne

A: How do you think season 2010 went for you and will you be at Collingwood next season? [Ed. note: this interview was conducted in late 2010.]

SMN: I will be at Collingwood FC in 2011. It’s exciting that they believe in me and my potential. I thought it was a little unlucky for me personally, that our team is doing so well and is injury free. Mick (Malthouse) is not going to fix something that isn’t broke. As far as my debut job goes at the MCG that is a setback, but I would rather earn and take my spot through my own effort than take a spot due to injury or illness. There are a number of other players in the VFL (Victorian Football League) who are on teams that are not that good or they are not all that blessed with skill. For them to get a lucky break and say that they have played AFL games is one thing, but I don’t want it to go that way for me. Obviously my first game will be amazing, but I would not want it to go by default. It’s the last option! I would rather seize the moment and add something to the team and earn respect that way. (Since giving this interview Shae McNamara has debuted in the NAB Cup and kicked a goal in his first senior match). 

A: Are you familiar with AFANA – The Australian Football Association of North America?

SMN: No, not at the moment.

A: The organization has been around 16 years, it’s a Not For Profit group dedicated to exposing Australian rules football throughout the USA and Canada to Americans and Canadians. It also serves expatriate Australians living abroad. As an organization, AFANA has been focused on developing a fan base in the USA. What is your view on what would need to be done to increase that fan base?

SMN: Is AFANA TV or do they work with US footy?

A: It is primarily a fan-based promotional organization and was created by a group of Americans who are big fans of Australian rules football. They decided to promote and expose the game in the USA and Canada, providing information on match results, team information, fixtures and match day photographs. We want your thoughts on what might need to be done to grow the fan base.

SMN: I am not sure if AFANA can link in with ESPN. [Ed. note: we work with ESPN, MHz and the AFL and are very active in promoting the sport.] If AFANA is serious and wants to make a big impact , they need to somehow get the game on TV. If you look back at *gambling term*, several years ago it was small fry and suddenly there are *gambling term* tours all over. TV made that sport. The Australian Rules game could increase its profile on ESPN, be bigger and show more games.  It needs to be promoted through a face. If that’s not me, it needs to be another American. Then the AFL, and the likes of ESPN, could market that kid and have them explain the game to the fans. The AFL has an American in the game, playing for Collingwood, the best and biggest team in the League. There are a lot of positives. The time is now to expose AFL into one of the biggest markets. The AFL needs me on radio and TV, just to market and talk about the product and generate enthusiasm, basically just promoting, it’s what happens in all sports. It’s exactly the same as what the NBA is doing with Andrew Bogut, over here in Australia. If AFANA can create awareness for the greater good of the game, I think that everyone would win from it.

A: As an American what has been the hardest aspect of adjusting to life in Australia?

SMN: The success culture is different because of  the “Tall Poppy Syndrome”, where anybody who is getting ahead of themselves, or becomes too egotistical, gets shot down. This is not a bad thing at all for boasters, but the bad thing about it is that anybody who thinks or acts differently or is confident tends to get shut down. When I first started and wanted to make it in the AFL, they all laughed at my YouTube videos and said who does this kid think he is? That really disappointed me. As a kid from America with all the prerequisites to play footy, and credibility as an American athlete trying an Australian sport, being shot down before being given a chance was really not what I expected. In short, that was the one big thing I really had to learn about the two cultures. In America we support the person and say “good for you" whereas in Australia it’s a negative energy, not positive or uplifting like “you can do it”. Australians acknowledge this aspect of their culture and admit it, which is good. You have to earn your stripes and Australians tend to  knock you until you do. But all in all, I wouldn’t trade this for the world. I love the Australian people, the cultural side of the country. I love how Aussies keep it real and how beautiful Melbourne is. My Dad said that it has always been one of the top five cities in the world to live in and he is right, without a doubt it is. Even more so if you love sports!

Part 3 of the interview tih Shae Mcnamara will be posted on AFANA.com soon.