GEELONG coach Mark Thompson will be the star attraction when more than 1000 footballers gather in the United States for the country's annual titles this weekend.

Thompson will be on the sidelines watching players – male and female – from across America do battle in the 2008 USAFL Nationals.

He will also present medals to the winning teams following the finals of each division.

Last year Kevin Sheedy attended the USAFL’s biggest event, but 12 months later Thompson will attend the showpiece and also help the promotion of Australian football abroad.

The titles are being held at the United States Airforce Academy Athletic Fields in Colorado and Thompson said he was looking forward to seeing the talent on show.

"I’m not too sure what to expect, but I did see a bit of the International Cup when all the different countries came out [to Melbourne] and that was pretty interesting," he said.

"I think it’ll be a bit of fun and it’s definitely a good opportunity to spread the message.

"There’s about 40 per cent expats and 60 per cent Americans that are playing in these games now.

"I think it used to be closer to half-half but the percentage of Americans playing Australian football is going up, which is obviously a pretty good thing."

The man who has led Geelong to the top of the table in successive seasons, and the 2007 premiership, also plans to use the trip to his advantage.

The titles are being held near a state-of-the-art training facility, which Thompson intends to visit, as well as sneak a peek at some other first-class sporting set-ups.

"I’ve got a few things lined up," he said.

"I’m hopefully having a look at some stuff in New York after Denver, and I’m also going to have a look at the training facility in Denver.

"It’s very similar to the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) complex in Australia. Their national facility is in Denver, so it’s a good opportunity to catch up and have a look at that."