Aussie Rules Europe

Aussie Rules Europe was a body created on 8 October, 2005 in London to help promote and develop the sport of Australian rules football in Europe. A number of its roles, such as organising the EU Cup, have now been superseded by the official governing body AFL Europe, since that body's creation in 2010.

History

At a conference held after the 2005 EU Cup, delegates from 13 countries (Austria, Belgium, Catalonia, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Scotland, Sweden and The Netherlands) signed the founding document, which states:

“We, the signatories to this founding document, believe that Aussie Rules is the world’s greatest game. Sharing the same desire – to see Aussie Rules realise its true potential – we have formed Aussie Rules Europe to grow and develop the sport throughout Europe. We will all work together, on and off the field, to make our vision a reality.”

EU Cup

The inaugural EU Cup took place in London on 9 October 2005. The EU Cup was played under the rules of 9-a-side football (full contact) on fields conforming to standardised Rugby or Soccer dimensions (approx 100m x 65m). The primary intention of the tournament was to showcase Aussie Rules with a reduction in the number of players, held on sporting fields that are readily found in nearly every corner of Europe; without any loss in the excitement, skill or quality of the 18-a-side version of the game.

The competing teams were Israel, Catalonia, Germany, Belgium, Austria, England, Sweden, Scotland, France and the Netherlands. Belgium defeated Sweden in the grand final.

The second EU Cup took place in Hamburg, Germany in 2007, with the 2008 event taking place in Prague, Czech Republic. At the 2009 EU Cup in Zagreb, Croatia, a meeting was held to formalise the creation of a governing body for the sport in Europe, which lead to the creation of the European Australian Football Association (now AFL Europe) in early 2010.[1]

Countries

External links

References

  1. ↑ 15 Nations found European Australian Football Association in Frankfurt from worldfootynews.com