Australian rules football in Samoa
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| Australian rules football in Samoa | |||
| Governing body | Samoa Australian Rules Football Association | ||
| National team | Samoa | ||
| Nickname(s) | Bulldogs | ||
| First played | 1997 | ||
| Registered players | 246 (total) 80 (adult) 166 (junior) |
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| Clubs | 6 | ||
| Competitions | |||
| Club | |||
| - Samoa Australian Rules Football League | |||
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Australian rules football in Samoa has been played since 1997.
The governing body for the sport is the Samoa Australian Rules Football Association[1], first formed in 1998 and the national team, which first competed at the Arafura Games is known as the Bulldogs, the name being chosen as the AFL's Western Bulldogs wore the Samoan national colours and has sent some professional players to visit the islands on clinics.
The game is typically played under derived rules known as Samoa Rules and is played on rugby fields.[2]
The Australia Network began televising games in Samoa in 2002.
AFL players to visit Samoa for coaching clinics include Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson and Steve Kretiuk.
There is a full time development officer[3] funded by AusAid, a junior development program and a schoolboy's tournament.[4][5]
[edit] Participation
In 2004, Samoa had a total of 246 players including 80 senior players in 4 teams consisting of over 80 players and 166 juniors in six school sides.[6]
[edit] High profile players
Aaron Edwards is a professional Samoan football player in the Australian Football League.
Fia Tootoo has represented Samoa on numerous occasions in the Australian Football International Cup and plays football semi-professionally in Australia.[7][8]
[edit] References
- ^ AFL Samoa
- ^ Team by team guide to the International Cup from The Age. August 11, 2002
- ^ Samoa's new Development Officer settles in by Brett Northey for World Footy News. December 21 2004
- ^ Schoolboys tournament kicks off in Samoa by Jake Anson for World Footy News. June 26 2005
- ^ Leulumoega Fou College defends Samoan secondary schools championship by Jake Anson for World Footy News. September 20 2004
- ^ World Footy Census 2004 - Oceania by Brett Northey for worldfootynews.com
- ^ -star profiled online by Jake Anson for World Footy News. July 31 2005
- ^ Samoa schoolboys too strong in Pacific clash by Brett Northey for World Footy News. December 06 2004
| Countries playing Australian rules football |
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