Australian rules football around the world

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See also: Countries playing Australian rules football

See also: Australian Football International Cup

Map of the world indicating the nations where Australian rules football was most played in 2005. The stronger regions are indicated in shades of red, areas in which it were most played, areas where the game was unknown or least played are indicated in grey.

Australian rules football is a sport played in countries around the world.

Despite its early growth, Australian football is emerging as an international sport much later than other forms of football such as soccer or rugby, but has grown substantially as an amateur sport in some countries since the 1980s and more recently begun fledgling competitions in many others. The spread of the code has largely corresponded with the Australian diaspora.

It is a major spectator sport only in Australia (except for occasional exhibition games staged in other countries) and carnival type events overseas.

[edit] History of Australian rules outside Australia

[edit] Early beginnings

Almost as soon as the game was becoming established in Australia, it had spread to New Zealand in 1876. South Africa followed in the 1880s, with the help of Australian goldminers; they were augmented by soldiers during the Second Boer War.

As the game spread, it became known as Australasian Football.

In 1908, New Zealand (where proximity to Australia saw a formidable league of 115 clubs grow) defeated both New South Wales and Queensland at the Jubilee Australasian Football Carnival, an event held to celebrate 50 years of Australian Football. The game was also introduced to England, Scotland and Japan.

[edit] Hiatus

The profound effects of World War I caused the gradual demise in the game in countries outside Australia, including New Zealand. The sport returned to the title of Australian Football.

[edit] Longest running international fixture

Despite the demise of the game internationally, in Oxford the first annual Oxford University versus Cambridge University Varsity match was played in 1921. This is the longest running fixture outside Australia, and continues to be fiercly contested today. In recent years the Oxford team has had the edge, taking the 2005 match 99-22 at home.

[edit] Return of Oceania football

Action from an Aussie Rules game in Nauru at the Linkbelt Oval

The first nation outside of Australia to take the sport up seriously was the former Australian territory of Nauru, which began playing in the 1930s. The game is now the national sport of the country.

Another former territory, Papua New Guinea began playing in the 1950s. For a time at least, it was the most popular sport in the country, and still remains popular.

New Zealand resumed a local competition in 1974.

The first ever international match involving Australia was played in 1977 at under 17 level between Australia and Papua New Guinea in Adelaide, with Australia taking the honours ^[1]. Since then, Australia have been peerless in the sport and seldom compete at international level.

[edit] Modern era - The game begins abroad

In the late 1980s, as distance became less of an obstacle, amateur teams were established in Japan (1987), England, Denmark and Canada (1989).

In the 1990s, amateur competition has grown in countries such as Sweden (1993), Germany (1995), USA (1996), Argentina, Spain and Samoa (1997), South Africa (1998), as well as a number of solely expatriate teams, mainly based in South East Asia.

Since 2000, fledgeling competitions have been established in countries such as Ireland (2000), Tonga (2002), Scotland, France and China (2005).

In 2006, Pakistan, Indonesia, Catalonia, Norway, Bermuda and East Timor joined the list of playing nations.

Many of these were initially established by Australian expatriates but collecting growing numbers of native players. In other countries, it grew out of AFL exhibition matches, cult television following or Internet communication. North American fans formed an organization, AFANA, specifically to work for improved media coverage of Australian football. Since the 1990s, the AFL and other development bodies have contributed to the development the game overseas.

[edit] Leaders of the pack

Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, Canada, Japan and Denmark in particular have shown strong growth and potential amongst local players.

[edit] International competition

See also: List of International Australian rules football Tournaments

The first truly international competitor in Australian rules was New Zealand. In 1908 the Jubilee Australasian Football Carnival was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Australian rules football. New Zealand (then representing a total of 115 clubs) defeated both New South Wales and Queensland in the carnival but lost to Victoria and Tasmania.

The Arafura Games, held in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (a competition for northern Australia, South East Asia and Pacific Islands) were the first International games to have Australian football as a competition sport, rather than a demonstration sport in 1995. Papua New Guinea won the Gold medal and retained it in subsequent games. Other teams that have competed at Australian Rules in the games include Japan, Nauru and a Northern Territory indigenous team. The International Australian football Council (IAFC) was formed after the 1995 Games (source IAFC).

Japan's national team, the Samurai vs Melbourne Vietnam from 2006 tour of Australia.

Inspired by successful Arafura Games competitions, the inaugural Australian Football International Cup was held in Melbourne in 2002, an initiative of the newly formed IAFC. The 2002 cup was contested by 11 teams from around the world made up exclusively of non-Australians. Ireland won the 2002 cup, defeating Papua New Guinea in the final.

In the interim years, Japan and New Zealand played an annual game as a curtain raiser to an AFL game: the New Zealand national team were victorious by 100 points in 2003, and so in 2004, a club side from Auckland played the game, which Japan lost by two points. The amateur Australian Convicts also toured and played several matches against sides from developing nations.

The second Australian football International Cup was held in Melbourne in 2005, under the direction of the guidance and funding of the AFL with New Zealand defeating Papua New Guinea in the final, with third place going to the United States of America.

The third Australian Football International Cup will be held in Melbourne in 2008.

In April 2007 the Bermuda Australian rules football Championships will begin with teams from the North Atlantic, including the USA, Canada and Europe competing^[2].

Other international competitions that include Australian ex-patriates are also held, including the EU Cup, which was first held in 2005 in London, featuring 10 teams.

[edit] World rankings

Based on 'A' International Australian rules football Tests (such as the Australian Football International Cup i.e: rules state that all players must be born in and have played in the country they are representing) based on the total number of wins and ratio percentage.

Rankings as at 2006^[3][4]

Ranking	Country	#Played	#Won	%Won	#Lost	%Lost	#Drawn	%Drawn
1	Australia	0	NA	NA	0	NA	NA	NA
2	Ireland	22	19	86%	3	14%	0	0%
3	Papua New Guinea	22	19	86%	3	14%	0	0%
4	New Zealand	24	18	75%	6	25%	0	0%
6	United States of America	24	17	71%	7	29%	0	0%
5	Denmark	18	11	62%	6	33%	1	5%
8	Samoa	18	10	56%	8	44%	0	0%
7	Great Britain	26	13	50%	13	50%	0	0%
9	Nauru	8	2	25%	6	75%	0	0%
10	Canada	24	4	17%	20	83%	0	0%
11	Sweden	2	0	0%	1	50%	1	50%

Note: Ranking is different to International Cup ranking and Australia's #1 title is assumed, although it has not participated in any international tests at senior level (excluding the compromise rules series against Ireland).

[edit] International rules Australia vs Ireland

A series of hybrid International rules matches between the Australian Football League's best professional players and a representative Gaelic football team from Ireland's Gaelic Athletic Association amateur players. The series is staged annually. The rules are a compromise between the two codes, using a round ball and a rectangular field. The fierce tackling of the Australian code is allowed, however more recently this has caused controversy with the Irish players who play a less violent contact game. The series have remained evenly matched with the Irish using speed and athleticism, and the Australians strength and power - both inherent skills in their respective codes. This contrast of skills has created exciting contests that are a hit with spectators.

[edit] International promotion, funding & governance

The International Australian football Council (IAFC) was formed in 1995 to promote and develop Australian football internationally. In 2005 a new organization was set up - called Aussie Rules International - by former IAFC member Brian Clarke in London. This successor to the IAFC promotes itself as an international organisation for developing (not governing) international Australian football. As well as playing a role in promoting aussie rules overseas, Aussie Rules International coordinates the Multicultural Cup aimed at instilling national pride in those born overseas and encouraging migrants to take up the game.

Australian football is not yet considered large enough internationally for a FIFA styled governing body, so the Australian Football League is primarily responsible for funding and governance and provides $29 million for development of the game in Australia and around A$500,000 annually for international development, with the following breakdown in 2005:

• New Zealand $150,000
• South Africa $100,000
• United States of America $90,000
• Papua New Guinea $45,000
• Other $115,000 ^[5]

Much of the additional international promotion of the game fuelled by exhibition matches, expatriate Australians, local leagues and various AusAID projects.

[edit] High profile advocates

Although international football has a low profile within Australia, the issue is getting increased media exposure as several high profile Australians have become advocates for international football. Former players and coaches that are involved in, have expressed interest in or are passionate about international footy at some stage include Ron Barassi, Kevin Sheedy, Jim Stynes, Paul Roos, Michael Long, Gary Lyon and Wayne Schwass. Current players who have expressed views or interest on the topic include Mal Michael, David Rodan, Jason Akermanis, Jason McCartney and Glen Archer. Former AFL players Mark Zanotti and John Ironmonger have been directly involved in living and establishing clubs overseas. Robert DiPierdomenico and Peter Schwab have been involved in promotions in the USA. Other non-players such as John So, Eddie McGuire and Tiffany Cherry have also expressed interest in the media about game being played or watched by people overseas.

[edit] Women development and competition

Several countries now have Women's Australian rules football Australian rules programs in place. These countries include Australia (of course) Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Japan.

[edit] Junior development and competition

Several countries now have youth Australian rules programs in place. These countries include Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Nauru, Denmark, South Africa, England, Indonesia, USA and Canada.

Since 1998, the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament, endorsed by the Australian Football League as part of its International Policy, has hosted several of these nation's representative youth teams.

The first junior fully representative international outside of Australia was played between England and Denmark in Farum, Denmark in October 2005.^[6]

[edit] Specific development projects

[edit] South African AusAID project

An AusAID funded project is South African junior development, which is assisted by aid agency Australian Volunteers International in partnership with programs such as AFL Auskick and sponsored by Tattersalls. In 2006, the AFL announced it would send an All-aboriginal juniors side (from the Clontarf Foundation's Clontarf Football Academy ^[7]) headed by former Essendon star Michael Long and Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes to play 3 matches, including an International Rules match against local sides in South Africa ^[8]. Although the Australian team won easily ^[9] the AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou wants South Africa to join an International Rules tri-series and believes that a junior from South Africa will eventually play at the AFL level ^[10].

[edit] Aussie Rules Schools (England)

Another junior project funded project is Aussie Rules Schools UK, which is funded by Sports England and co-ordinated by Aussie Rules UK and Aussie Rules International. This project has seen up to 10 English schools adopt Aussie Rules as part of the school curriculum to combat obesity.

[edit] China AusAID project

In February 2006, a joint project between the AFL, Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne City Council and AusAID to post an Australian Youth Ambassador in Tianjin, a city of 10 million, about 120km southeast of Beijing in an effort to kickstart Australian Football in China was announced. ^[11]

[edit] International drafts & converts

[edit] International Players

Although no non-Irish player to learn the game overseas has played in the AFL, Michito Sakaki from Japan became the first to play at AFL level when selected to play for the Essendon Football Club against the Sydney Swans at an exhibition match at North Sydney Oval in February 2006.

[edit] Converts

See also: List of Football Code Converts

[edit] Gaelic converts to Australian football

Australia has recruited several Irish Gaelic footballers to play Aussie Rules. As Gaelic football is primarily amateur competition and the AFL competition is professional, there is a strong financial lure. In the 1990s, the Melbourne Football Club recruited Jim Stynes who would turn out to be the most successful Irish player in the history of the VFL/AFL, taking out the Brownlow medallist Jim Stynes. At around the same time, the club recruited the Scot Sean Wight. In more recent years, the Sydney Swans recruited young Irish Tadhg Kennelly who played in a premiership with the club and has also represented Ireland against Australia. Carlton Football Club experimented with brothers Setanta Ó hAilpín and Aisake Ó hAilpín. The Collingwood Football Club has recruited young Martin Clarke and Brisbane Lions recruited Colm Begley who made an instant impact at AFL level and Brendan Quigley to their international rookie list. Due to increasing concern from the Gaelic Athletic Association, in 2006 the AFL made a deal with the GAA to limit the number of junior Gaelic drafts.

[edit] Australian football converts to American football (Gridiron)

Australia has exported players to the NFL. Since the 1980s, many AFL players have tried out as American Football punters. The kicking position requires similar skills to those found in Australian football players. Salaries are up to 5 times higher and the position lends itself to longevity. Australian football players generally retire at around 30, whereas American football punters can play well into their forties.

The first convert was Colin Ridgeway, but the most successful of these players was Darren Bennett - former Melbourne Football Club AFL player recruited by the San Diego Chargers, now playing for the Minnesota Vikings.

Shortly after Darren Bennett became successful in the NFL in the early 90s, many other VFL players followed suit, including journeyman Richard Osborne and Footscray fullback Tony Campbell. Kangaroos and Crows champion Wayne Carey^[12] was also rumoured to have tried out with the Cowboys. Many of these were unsuccessful.

In 2004, Geelong Football Club star Ben Graham shocked fans by cutting his career short to play with the New York Jets^[13]. In the same year, retired Brisbane Bears and Hawthorn Football Club Nathan Chapman achieved a punting contract with the Green Bay Packers.^[14] While Ben Graham made the grade and achieved a million dollar contract, the career of Nathan Chapman did not take off.

More recently, Collingwood Football Club's Anthony Rocca ^[15] and his brother Saverio Rocca have both indicated their intention to try out at the conclusion of their AFL careers.^[16] Following Saverio's retirement from the AFL he was given a 3 month contract with Rhein Fire, while Anthony continues to play for Collingwood. In 2006, NFL began more actively scouting Australian Rules players.

[edit] See also

• List of Australian Football Leagues outside Australia
• Australian Football International Cup
• List of International Australian rules football Tournaments
• Australian rules football exhibition matches

[edit] References

[edit] External links

News and Results Sites

• The Footy Record - Results from around the globe
• Aussie Rules Global Invasion
• World Footy News - Independent reporting of international Australian rules football

Fan sites

• BigFooty - International Footy Forum of the Largest unofficial Aussie Rules fan community site and forum

Governing bodies

• AFL International Development

International tournaments

• Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament
• Australian Football International Cup 2005

Promotional organisations

• Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA)
• Aussie Rules International
• Aussie Rules UK
• Australian Convicts - Amateur touring side that helps support international leagues

International leagues

• U.S. Australian rules football League
• Women's footy USA
• DAFL - The Danish Australian Football League
• AFLG - The Australian Football League Germany