The AFL International Cup 2014 has come and gone and Team China has participated in its third cup.
Although our results on paper were not as we had hoped, as someone who has been involved with Team China for all its International Cup participations, I can say that this tournament has been our best ever.
You have played the most vital part in our success during this time - you have made it possible!
Team China was made up of selected players from the South China AFL Competition, which has six clubs and plays every three weeks during their winter months. These players are predominantly Sports University students who are studying various sports.
Upon completion of their studies, they will most likely become professional referees, sport management officials or P.E. teachers.
AFL football has been something new and exciting for these students, which they participate outside of their university life.
From touching down in Adelaide, the team has been overwhelmed by the passion you have for AFL football and your club.
We have seen first-hand what footy means to the community and the important role it plays in everyday life.
We have seen supporters line the street during the March to Adelaide Oval.
Then we saw the fanatical support you give to your club at the full-house Adelaide Oval - a loud and mind-blowing football ground that still makes the hair on the back of our necks stand up!
To walk around the stadium and receive ‘high fives’ from everyone in the march was simply incredible and when you consider that only two of our players had even been out of their home province in China, let alone to Australia and an AFL game, you can’t even imagine the impression you have made.
The team had the opportunity to have a kick with Port Adelaide players, and that experience was priceless.
We were in awe of the players and their professionalism and gained a glimpse of what it means to be elite.
Team China came to Australia having played on small rectangular grounds and watching a handful of games on computer screens, but they departed this great country having gained tremendous amount of experience, including seeing three live AFL games in packed stadiums and played five games of very competitive football against some of the best international teams.
Our players will take all of that back to China and ensure that AFL football, the Port Adelaide Football Club and its supporters are represented and talked about every chance they get!
On behalf of Team China, our players and officials, I sincerely thank you for the experience of a lifetime!
Team China would like to invite all of you to the 'Middle Kingdom' to show your club to more of China, to open up new fan bases and share this great game and your great club with China and 1.5 billion more!
Thank you and no doubt we’ll see you soon!
Yours sincerely,
Jiaming Pi
Team China playing coach
