West London Wildcats

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The West London Wildcats are an Australian rules football and netball club based in London, England.

[edit] History

The West London Wildcats were formed in 1990 as a foundation club of the British Australian Rules Football League. They have played in a number of BARFL grand finals, finally winning their first premiership in 2000 against arch-rivals, the Wandsworth Demons, the team captained at the time by club stalwart, Chris Schleter. They have since followed this up with premierships in 2004, 2005 and 2006 all against Barfl heavy-weights the Wimbledon Hawks. 2004 saw fullback Rowan Bilkey captain the club, Chris Schleter again captained the premiers in 2005 while in 2006 ruckman and all round good guy Barclay Dixon lead his team to the BARFL premiership. The Wildcats stand as the only team to win the BARFL Premiership on three consecutive occasions. In 2004 the team achieved another first in BARFL history by claiming the BARFL 'Grand Slam', winning the Anzac Cup preseason tournament, the Brit Cup and both the Conference and Premier Division Premierships, a feat they repeated in season 2006.

The Wildcats also field a second team, the Shepherds Bush Raiders, and a third side, the Ealing Emus in the BARFL London Conference division. The Shepherds Bush Raiders have won all 6 Conference premierships since the competition's inception in 2001.

In addition to Australian rules football, the Wildkittens netball sides play in a number of competitions across London.

Former Brisbane Bears superstar Rudi Frigo, recruited to the club by legendary nudist and the greatest Wildcats President in living memory Justin "Dogga" Shannon, is probably the Wildcats best known player.