Australian Rules Football in the UK

With the new 2007 season of the AFL now in full swing down under, and 3 rounds already gone, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the UK season is also about to start.

The British AFL has been running for over 15 years, and currently has 7 teams in the London premiership. Around the country teams have come and gone from places such as Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool, but there is a good regional following today. The Sussex Swans share their name with my local team in Australia the Sydney Swans.

Clearly the London league is supported by the throng of Australians living abroad, and this has a major impact on the numbers, people are queuing up to play and there simply arent enough teams.

Regional sides suffer from this almighty Aussie cram though, as they dont have the same influx outside of London. BARFL introduced a rule that a team should comprise a maximum of 50% Australians. A rule that was flouted by dual nationality ex-pats!

There is even a national side called the Bulldogs, who have competed in the International Cup for many years.

Oxbridge attendees may even know that the longest standing AFL fixture outside of Australia is the Oxford vs Cambridge University AFL game.

As ever Wikipedia turns up a lot of information on the subject Australian Rules Football in England

Go you Swannies!