The University of Hawai'i is taking steps to try to play a regular-season football game in Australia in August 2007.

Mark Berwick, the Hawai'i district manager for the Australian Trade Commission, said corporate donors have been approached.

Andrew Ireland, manager of the Australian Rules Football champion Sydney Swans, said his team has agreed to serve as a host, offering the use of facilities and a marketing company.

"It's definitely not a lock, but I would say a lot of the dominoes have started to fall into play," Berwick said. "I think we're on course for a game in August of 2007 in Sydney."

Berwick said the plan calls for the game to be played in Sydney Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 42,000.

"It's primarily a rugby stadium," Berwick said. "The crowd sits a little bit closer to the field. It would be an ideal venue."

Ireland said a football exhibition between the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos drew about 65,000 in Stadium Australia (formerly Olympic Stadium) in 2001.

"You have to scale it down a bit" for a college game, Berwick said. "But there's enough interest in football in general over there. NFL games are on TV two or three times a week in Australia. They're becoming slowly educated on the American game."

UH coach June Jones said an opponent has not been decided. Ireland insisted the game must count in the standings.

"I think if it's a proper game instead of a demonstration, and there's a lot of promotion, there should be a lot of interest," Ireland said.

Jones said: "It's inching along. There are still some hoops to go through, but we're moving in the right direction. This is positive for (Hawai'i) and Sydney."

UH officials yesterday met with members of the Sydney Swans, who worked out at the Warriors' grass practice field. The Swans were returning from an exhibition in California as part of the "G'day in L.A." festivities.

"They wanted to use our facilities," Jones said, "and "Herman (Frazier, UH's athletic director) was able to work that out. (The Swans) said they will be able to help us out (in 2007)."

Berwick said he foresee the proposed game serving as a "celebration of football."

"The teams would come in for a few days," he added. "We would try to bridge the gap between other versions of football. And June wants to introduce his players to the culture of Australia. He wants them to get out and see other aspects they wouldn't get to see. It's a good idea on many levels. We want to bring Australia and Hawai'i closer."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.