National Team,                                      11 June 2010

We have an exciting journey ahead of us lads! I for one am thrilled to be a part of what I believe is a genuine opportunity to bring home the European Championships in August this year, followed by the World Cup in Australia in 2011.

There has been an unbelievable amount of behind the scenes preparation work done to get us this far. The League have been working tirelessly on the ARFLI website, marketing, team development, seeking sponsorship, organising kits, organising flights accommodation and speaking to many of us individually. That effort should be acknowledged by every one of us! If we put as much effort on the field as has been done off the field we will be returning to Ireland victorious in both cases.

As for myself, I have just spent two months in Australia, attending in a professional coaching course, as well as attending Western Bulldogs, Western Jets and Werribee Football club training sessions. Through this I have gained insight into the hard work and dedication that is required, both from you boys and from us, the coaching staff to make us the best team in the competition! 

The responsibility of representing your country is not one to be taken lightly.  It will be a great honour and a privilege that not many have the opportunity to achieve. From what I have observed so far we are well below where we need to be, we need to be stronger and fitter than the team we took out in 2008, which, as we all learned the hard way, we were not fully prepared for the challenge.

Poor fitness or weak skill levels will not be tolerated. There are many sources whereby you can be reminded of the skills you need. I have spoken to all your coaches who will support you and keep me updated on how you’re performing. I am more than happy to help any one of you in any way I can.  Ciaran has uploaded critically important learning tools to the ARFLI website, which you must all use for strengthening and conditioning of your body and to sharpen your football skills. Each and every one of you should have your own AFL football (I recommend Sherrin) and be training with it constantly. 

Our National Training Session is not where you will gain fitness or learn basic skills – it’s where we observe your improvement since the last session, develop our team plans and tactics and make decisions based on our observations.

Following our last effort at the World Cup in 2008, Ciaran O Hara and myself vowed that we would NOT come home to Ireland with another disappointed team in 2011.  This trip to Sweden is an important step on the road to World Cup victory in Australia.

To send the team to Europe and to Australia will cost over €250, 000.  This is a lot of money! I think you will agree with me when I say the responsibility of raising funds towards this needs to be owned by everyone. When we bring the World Cup home we will bring it home for every player who ever attended a training session, for every friend who bought a ticket, for your partners who support you, your family members, clubs, and your community. Organised functions and fundraising efforts needs to be our off - field priority. We have our raffle tickets to sell but we need to bolster this with as much fundraising as possible.

When there is an organised event please bring as many people with you as possible; Friends, families, neighbours, colleagues etc. Create your own events in your own home place, work or club. Have a raffle, trivia night, poker night etc whatever it takes… just make sure to inform Ciaran of your plans before undertaking your event.

On 10^th July there will be training session in Dublin followed by a fundraising function night out in the city- (details to follow) This will double as a bonding session so we can all familiarise ourselves with each other and enjoy a good night out together. A light training session will be on Sunday 11^th July so keep this weekend free.

To finish off guys, there’s a lot of hard work to be done and we all have our part to play, so lets stick together, get through it, enjoy it and come out the other side proud and victorious!! See you all on 19^th June… GET TRAINING!

Kind Regards,

Tom Madigan

Head Coach