UNITED STATES AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2012 Executive Board Annual Report USAFL.COM UNITED STATES AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE A 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Organization TABLE OF CONTENTS PRESIDENT’s ADDRESS 3 USAFL StRUCTURE 5 National and Regional Tournaments 5 2012 Volunteer Roster 6 Executive Board 6 Program Coordinators 6 2012 USA Revolution Coaching Staff 6 USA Freedom Coaching Staff 6 Clubs and Games Played 7 USAFL 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 8 2012 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 Administration Excellence Awards 12 Division I Results 12 Women’s Division Results 13 Division II Results 14 Division III Results 15 Division IV Results 16 2012 49TH PARALLEL CUP 17 USA Revolution Report 17 USA Freedom Report 20 PLAYING FOOTY IN DOWN UNDER 23 COMMUNICATIONS REPORT 24 Website Overview – usafl.com 24 Social Media 26 Club Match Reports 28 USAFL Community Update 28 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 29 2012 USAFL Balance Sheet 30 2012 USAFL Profit & Loss Statement 31 2013 USAFL CONTACT LIST 33 Cover Photo Victorious USA Revolution and USA Freedom teams at the 2012 49th Parallel Cup Photographer: Leo Strawn - 2 - UNITED STATES AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE A 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Organization PRESIDENT’s ADDRESS marked my first full year as President, in Australia. In November, Eric Wallace, a former NCAA 2012 and what a year it was! The league con- basketball player, was signed by North Melbourne to a tinues to grow and develop as an organization, and I be- two-year international rookie contract. Special recogni- lieve we are headed in the right direction. With the help tion goes to USAFL Operations Manager Doren James of Tony Woods, AFL International Manager, the Execu- for his efforts in staging all aspects of the LA Combine. tive Board developed a 5-year strategic growth plan, highlighting the areas of focus and development for the Also in August, the USAFL hosted the Canada Northwind immediate future. Over a two day period in April, mem- for the 49th Parallel Cup, held in Dublin, Ohio. Through bers of the USAFL met with Tony Woods in Chicago for a the Ohio heat, the Revolution and Freedom battled to strategic summit resulting in the 5 Year Strategic Plan. victories. Both teams also fielded development squads. Revolution Coach Matt Bishop and Freedom Coach Leigh League treasure Adam Coleman successfully completed Barnes continue to work hard in the elite talent devel- and submitted a Texas State grant refund application re- opment as the programs look towards the International lating to the 2011 Nationals held in Austin, TX. This re- Cup in 2014. sulted in a $99,000 dollar refund of event expenses and no doubt will provide for future growth opportunities. Development of the umpiring program continues under the oversight of Umpire Director Jeff Persson. His pas- In July, Coleman stepped down after a 4 year role and sion for the whistle and laws of the game is undeniable, can be credited with significant organization of the US- and because of his efforts, a record number of umpires AFL financial structures and management that created participated at the 2012 Nationals. Over 75 people at- a smooth transition for incoming treasurer Keith Nel- tended clinics in starting their accreditation process. son. While insignificant on the surface, the successful transition of this role was vital to the organization mov- The National Tournament returned to Mason, OH, and ing forward. continues to be the largest football carnival in the world. The event has almost reached its maximum with International participation and development continued four full mens divisions and a womens division compet- thanks to Tony Fairhead. Tony facilitates the placement ing in games over two days. The first alumni match was of US players to teams in Western Australia, and with- also played between the Legend and Masters, which out his guidance and relationships, the program would included former AFL standouts John Ironmonger and not exist. The USAFL also had two players participate Neil Mildenhall. on the World 18s Team in Melbourne. The USAFL recognized several people for their contri- In August, the USAFL successful organized and man- bution to the league. Denis Ryan and Richard Mann were aged the first AFL Combine in Los Angeles, which was both elected to the Hall of Fame, joining Paul “Plug- attended by Tony Woods, former Sydney Swan Tadhg ger” O’Keeffe as the three members. Matt Muller and Kennelly, and AFL Academy Development Manager Mi- Jim Martin were elected as Life Members. The USAFL chael Ablett. Over a two day period, 25 premier athletes is a volunteer organization and without the help of the were tested, resulting in 3 traveling to the AFL combine Executive Board, portfolio positions, club committees, - 3 - UNITED STATES AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE A 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Organization coaches, umpires, players, volunteers, supporters, and families, the league could not function. A special thank you to the former and current volunteers. AFL teams continue to use high-altitude US locations for pre-season training. In December a select few Revolution players participated in a weekend of training with the St. Kilda Saints in Boulder, Colorado. Bumping shoulders with stars Lenny Hayes and Nick Riewolt while taking instruction from Saints coach Paul Hudson are memories to last a lifetime. While 2012 was a fantastic year, there is still a great amount of work left for 2013. The Executive Board will work to refine the USAFL player system to ensure better operation while also focusing on making the organization more professional and transparent in preparation for growth. I look back at 2012 with a sense of accomplishment but look forward to 2013 with excitement as the USAFL continues on its pathway of development. As always, thank you to your commitment in growing Australian football in the US. Andy Vanica, President UNITED STATES AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE L-R: Andrew Werner, VP Central/Revolution Vice Captain • Jason Becker, Revolution Assistant Coach • Kyle Johnson, Revolution Player • Lenny Hayes, St. Kilda Saint Player • Matt Bishop, Revolution Coach • Brent Fischer, Revolution Player • Andy Vanica, USAFL President/ Revolution Player • Bryan Dragus, Revolution Player • Nick Reiwolt, St. Kilda Saint Player - 4 - UNITED STATES AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE A 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Organization USAFL StRUCTURE he first match between two U.S. clubs was played in 1996 between Cincinnati and Louisville. Many of the Tlocal players discovered the game in the 1980s on television through ESPN. The United States Australian Football League (USAFL) was founded in 1997 at the first ever U.S. National Tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio. The USAFL is a grass roots, amateur sports organization dedicated to the development of and participation in Australian football. The organization is focused on the promotion and awareness of Australian football and Aussie culture and has created a sense of community among USAFL clubs and club members. In creat- ing this community, the USAFL has set standards allowing clubs to promote the integrity of the sport and also foster growth in both the women’s and junior programs across the United States.. Each year members of the USAFL Executive Board are elected during the USAFL National Championship Tournament when affiliate clubs gather for the Annual General Meeting. Each A-level club votes to fill seven positions: President; Secretary; Treasurer; Eastern Region Vice President; Central Region Vice President; West- ern Region Vice President; and Member-at-Large. Any incumbents are responsible for the administration of the league and the development of strategic poli- cies and programs. Additionally, there are numerous appointed coordinator positions reporting to the Executive Board. These positions include: International Liaison; Webmaster; Youth Development Coordinator; Women’s Development Coordinator; and Sponsorship Director. These portfolio positions are responsible for the implementation of those policies and programs as directed by the Executive Board. USAFL membership is currently comprised of over 40 affiliate clubs in either and active, inactive or transi- tional status. The member clubs operate in relative autonomy with regard to the day-to-day club business. The league retains three contracted positions to aid in the day-to-day running of the league. These role are an Operations Manager, responsible for all club and league administration, a Communications Manager, re- sponsible for league communications, media and website maintenance and Accountant who is responsible for financial compliance, working closely with the Treasurer. NATIONAL AND REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS Each October, the USAFL is responsible for the organization and operation of the National championships. Affiliate clubs are organized into geographic regions for USAFL administrative purposes. There are no restrictions imposed upon the clubs by the USAFL in terms of cross-regional competition. Some affiliate clubs have subsequently organized regional leagues and competitions apart from the overall organization of the USAFL. These leagues and competitive endeavors are self-governing, typically only in- volving the assistance of the USAFL for tournament support, umpiring and coaching training resources and tribunal dispute resolution. The results of these regional and cross-regional competitions are utilized for the seeding of clubs at the annual USAFL National Championship tournament. - 5 - UNITED STATES AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE A 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Organization 2012 VOLUNTEER ROSTER Executive