Global InformationAustralian rules football in Europe information
Australian rules football is played in Europe at an amateur level in a large number of countries. The oldest and largest leagues are those in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark, in each of these nations there are several established clubs, and organised men's, women's and juniors programs. The British AFL has now expanded into Welsh, Scottish and English leagues. The Danish AFL has been responsible for the expansion of Australian Football into Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway. The governing body for Australian Football in Europe was founded in Frankfurt in January 2010; the body was initially called the European Australian Football Association, but changed its name to AFL Europe at a general assembly meeting in Milan in October of the same year.[1] It currently has 22 member nations. AFL Europe, with backing of the AFL in Australia has overseen a large improvement in the organisation of Australian football in Europe.
The sport has grown from a few clubs and leagues started mainly by expatriate Australians and returning nationals in the late 1980s and early 1990s, to now, having established leagues in almost 15 nations,[2] with the majority of players being non-Australian.[3]
As of the 2017 edition of the tournament, Ireland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, France, Germany, Croatia and Finland have sent national teams to the Australian Football International Cup.
The two main cup competitions played between nations in Europe are the 18-a-side (formerly 16-a-side) European Championships in Australian Football and the nine-a-side Euro Cup. Both competitions strictly only allow local players to represent their country.
As of 2018 AFL Europe also organises the Fitzpatrick Cup, AFL Europe Champions League and ANZAC Cup on an annual basis.[4]
Cup competitions held in the past have included the Atlantic Alliance Cup and Central European Australian Football League Championships. In addition, there are tests matches played between Great Britain and Ireland, a tri-series (European Australian Football Tri-nations Tournament) between Germany, Denmark and Sweden, and a tri-series between Croatia, Austria and the Czech Republic.
- ^ AFL Europe - About Us
- ^ 15 Nations found European Australian Football Association in Frankfurt
- ^ AFL Europe proposed
- ^ "2018 Major Events Calendar – AFL Europe". www.afleurope.org. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2018.