The AFL wishes to advise the 2014 AFL International Cup will be launched in Melbourne’s Federation Square tomorrow, Saturday, August 9 at 1.30pm.
The launch will kick-off a football carnival that over 15 days will include 18 countries, 62 matches, 18 men’s and seven women’s teams and 18 venues.
One thousand players and support staff will be officially welcomed by Senior Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy-Wandin and the Premier of Victoria Dr Denis Napthine.
Following the welcome each nation’s flag and team captain will be presented on stage.
Teams will then follow their flag through Birrarung Marr to the MCG.
Team captains will remain in Birrarung Marr for photos.
A Parade of Nations around the MCG will be completed prior to the Hawthorn v Melbourne match.
Media is welcome to attend and details are as follows:
1.30pm Saturday August 9
IC14 Launch
Federation Square, Melbourne
1.30pm Welcome to Country Aunty – Joy Murphy-Wandin
1.35pm Premier of Victoria welcome – Premier Dr Denis Napthine
1.40pm AFL General Manager People, Customer and Community Dorothy Hisgrove
1.45pm Brownlow Medallist Robert DiPierdomenico
1.50pm Performance by Djembe Drummers
2.00pm Team captains to be resented with formal welcome gift
2.15pm Teams to assemble to walk to the MCG
2.15pm Team captain photo opportunity in Birrarung Marr
3.25pm Parade of Nations at MCG
The 2014 International Cup will be played in Melbourne from August 9 to 23.
Men’s teams: Canada, China, Fiji, Finland, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Great Britain, India, Japan, Nauru, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Sweden, Tonga, USA.
New teams for IC14: Finland, Indonesia and Pakistan.
Women’s teams: Canada – Northern Lights, Canada – Midnight Suns, Ireland, Fiji, Tonga, USA – Freedom, USA – Liberty.
The majority of matches will be played at Royal Park in Parkville and for the first time a community round will be played as curtain-raisers to suburban, amateur and country matches.
The women’s grand final will be played at Punt Road Oval and the men’s grand final will be the curtain-raiser to the Round 22 AFL match between Hawthorn and the Geelong Cats at the MCG.
The full IC14 fixture: www.afl.com.au/global/aflic14/fixture
Expatriate Australians are ineligible to play in the International Cup. Teams are comprised solely of amateurs who must be nationals of the country they represent. All players must have lived the majority of the years aged between 10 and 16 as a citizen of their nation.
The International Cup is played every three years. Previous International Cup winners are; Ireland (2002 & 2011), New Zealand (2005) and Papua New Guinea (2008).
Ends
Follow IC14 on www.aflic14.com.au, twitter @AFLIC14 and Instagram AFLIC14
