The global AFL community has wished Greater Western Sydney GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy well as he prepares to make his 100th appearance as a player or coach.
Justin Puiu
Dear Kevin,
Congratulations on reaching your 1000th game involved in the great game of footy we all so love.
As an Asia Expat living in The Philippines I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for everything you have done to promote the game in Asia. Next week our side, The Philippine Eagles travels to Thailand to compete in the Asia Cup.
All the best on your great day & thanks again.
Steve Arthur
President
Philippine Australian Football League, Inc.
Dear Kevin,
On behalf of the Philippine Australian Football League, we’d like to congratulate you on reaching the amazing milestone of 1,000 games of Aussie Rules at the highest level, as a player and coach!
Through the years as opposing teams clash, it can be a love/hate relationship between the fans and the players/coaches, but as always the respect and admiration is shown to those greats of the game such as yourself.
As an Aussie Rules League overseas, we understand your passion about growing the game outside of Australia and hope that one day we’ll get the opportunity to see you representing the AFL here in Asia.
We hope you enjoy the occasion with a GWS win and “Go Sheeds!”
Phil Johns
Vietnam Swans
The Vietnam Swans would like to extend our best wishes and congratulations to Kevin Sheedy on his amazing achievement this weekend; his 1,000th VFL/AFL match as either a coach or a player.
Throughout his innovative and creative career, this strategist and marketer extraordinaire, in addition to all the stuff he has done in Australia, has done great things in the international field. Despite his busy schedule, he has never forgotten the little guy doing his work at the grass roots level.
In the case of the Vietnam Swans, through his brother-in-law and Vietnam Veteran, Kennny Earney, Kevin has donated signed merchandise and had his photo taken in a Swannies’ hat (see attached).
That has helped raise our profile and some much needed funds to support the Club’s activities. Importantly, it has also become another building block in the development of international football – and the international story is one that Kevin continually raises within the AFL corridors of power - which can only be good for everyone.
From all the Vietnam Swans, congratulations to Kevin Sheedy on his remarkable achievement!
Ash Nugent
Team Manager - India Tigers 2011
Dear Kevin
Congratulations on your 1000th game played/coached.
Thank you for telling the world that whilst rice is the world food it's not the best food.
All the best!
Will Abbott
President - Shanghai Tigers
Kevin,
On behalf of the Shanghai Tigers Football Club, congratulations on making 1000 VFL/AFL games!
Great achievement and wish you many more.
Special thanks for your efforts over the years to help develop the game internationally and particularly your public support for China football.
Still remember you hosting an AustCham function and speaking about our great game and the development opportunities overseas. Your visits, along with other influential individuals, certainly help raise the sports profile.
All the best for rest of the year and get the Giants to China!! The Tigers are happy to host..
Dr Robert Wolfgramm
Director, AFL FIJI
Whew, I can't imagine 1000 matches let alone one man's devotion to the code that has brought him to this point of either playing in, or overseeing his 1000th match for footy.
Congratulations from everyone here in Fiji, Mr Sheedy.
We appreciate what you stand for, and your support for growing grassroots indigenous footy across Australia, into the Pacific Islands, and around the world. Amazing.
Hope you have a great day and hope to see you in 2014! Robert (on behalf of AFL Fiji Board, staff, players and supporters).
Chris Nolan
The Canadian Women's Northern Lights
Congratulations Mr. Sheedy!
Kevin, we were lucky enough to spend some time with you at last year's International Cup and it was a pleasure.
We are, right now, in Dublin Ohio, U.S.A. getting prepared to play against the U.S. in this year's 49th Parallel Cup- an annual tournament between Canada and the U.S. in Aussie Rules.
We have stepped it up a bit since we started this championship- we now have a men's match, a women's match, and development matches for both men and women.
This has happened because of the vision and passion of men like you Kevin- thank-you.
All the best on this momentous occasion.
Ciarán O’ Hara
AFL Europe Commission
Australian Rules Football League of Ireland
Kevin,
All involved in footy in Ireland would like to congratulate you on a magnificent achievement. It would have been very easy for a man who has achieved what you have in football to have walked away by now, but your commitment to the sport’s growth in New South Wales and to developing the young players at the Giants only embellishes what has always been a stellar career.
We in Ireland will always remember your role at the International Cup ambassador in 2008 and in particular the assistance you gave directly to the Irish team, and also the time you set aside for the players and the coaching staff. Your commitment to the wider growth of Australian Football is appreciated by all who give their time in promoting it outside Australia’s borders.
We wish you the very best as you celebrate this milestone and hope that many more will follow.
As we say in Gaelic,”Go n-eirí an bóthar leat”, May the road rise up to meet you.
With best wishes and kind regards.
Matt Jagger
USAFL Board – 2005 to 2010
US Revolution Player 2002-2005
US Revolution Manager 2006-2011
Kevin – Thanks for all of your contributions to the development of International Footy. Your participation in USAFL nationals and other US events has always been appreciated.
Best of luck with the 1000th!
Michael Nabb
On behalf of myself and my commentating colleagues at Eurosport Sweden I would like to send a big congratulation to Mr Sheedy on his great milestone. Here's to the next millennium!
Jörg Pareigis
AFL Sweden, on behalf of everyone involved in footy in Sweden, would like to congratulate Kevin Sheedy for reaching this tremendous milestone. Kevin is a true supporter of the international development of our great sport and we wish him all the best for the future and would like to express our gratitude for his tireless effort.
All the best from (not always so sunny) Sweden!
On behalf of AFL Sweden.
Martin Smith
Wandsworth Demons (1998 – 2003)
GB Bulldogs (player 1999 – 2003, staff 2001 – 2011)
BARFL/AFL Britain League (2001 – 2010)
AFL Britain Umpire (2004 – present)
Having been involved in footie in the UK since the 90s, playing in the inaugural International Cup (2002), and seeing how the international scene has gone from strength to strength, you have been instrumental in an incredible legacy on of making AFL a truly global sport!!
We are all greatly indebted to your drive and vision!! Something you must be very proud of.
Congratulations on this latest and huge milestone.
