Australian rules football in Oceania

Australian rules football has been played in Oceania since the early 20th century, with the establishment of leagues in New Zealand. There are currently organised leagues in six nations around the Pacific, in addition to organisations in at least four other nations who have tried to start leagues or are aiming to do so in future.

Australia

Australian rules is the national sport of Australia and has over 600,000 players.

Fiji

Australian rules football has been played sporadically in Fiji, beginning with the efforts of Australian police officers based in the capital Suva in 2004. [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20040802091700949 Fiji footy gets the ball rolling] ] The Fijian Australian Football Association was formed as a governing body and a failed bid was made for inclusion of the sport into the 2007 South Pacific Games. [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20040823070058971 Football's South Pacific Paradise] by Brett Northey for World Footy News. September 04 2004] The FAFA went into recess without creating an organised league, however with the formation of the AFL Oceania there are renewed plans for starting a domestic Australian rules competition in Fiji.

The Australia Network began televising games in Fiji in 2002.

Players of Fijian descent have played professionally in the Australian Football League, including Fijian-born cousins David Rodan and Alipate Carlile from the Port Adelaide Power. Rodan has acted as an international ambassador for the sport and has a passion to see the sport succeed in Fiji. [ [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21991520%255E19770,00.html Rodan plans to put Fiji on footy map] ] Setanta Ó hAilpín, of mixed Fijian and Irish background, currently plays with Carlton.

Fijian Wes Fellows also played a handful of senior games for the Collingwood Football Club in the 1980s.

Nicholas Naitanui, AIS graduate [ [http://www.ais.org.au/austrules/naitanui.asp] AIS Athlete profile: Nicholas Naitanui] and best on ground in the Western Australian Under 18s squad which won the Under 18s Australian Football championship is touted potential no. 1 draft pick in the 2008 AFL Draft. [ [http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=640659 WWOS.com: Dees coach undecided on No.1 draft pick] ] He has stood out as an athletic ruckman for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League. [ [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22059292%255E19742,00.html] WA midfield pick of crop]

The Western Bulldogs AFL club revealed in April 2008 that they have been actively scouting for recruits in Fiji. [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23620736-23211,00.html Bulldogs look for island treasures] ] This project was later announced to begin with open trials in Suva and Labasa in October of that year.

Nauru

"Main article: Australian rules football in Nauru"

Australian rules football in Nauru dates back to the 1930s and quickly established itself as the national sport of the country.

New Caledonia

Social football has been played in Noumea by Australian, French and New Zealander expats since around 2008. As of September 2008 there were plans underway to create a formal club in the city.

New Zealand

"Main article: Australian rules football in New Zealand"

Australian rules football was introduced to New Zealand by Australian emigrants in the early 20th century and a New Zealand national team took part in one of the first State of Origin carnivals (1908). The game then died out in the country around the time of the First World War, later resurrected in the 1970s. The game is currently governed by the New Zealand Australian Football League, with regional leagues in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch. The New Zealand national team, dubbed the Falcons, are one of the strongest outside Australia, finishing third in the first Australian Football International Cup in 2002 and winning the competition in 2005.

Papua New Guinea

"Main article: Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea"

Papua New Guinea has the largest number of registered Australian rules footballers outside Australia, with senior and junior competitions in most major population centres. Australian rules football was the dominant sport in PNG during the 1950s and 1960s, although its position as national sport has largely been taken by rugby league. The sport in PNG is controlled by the PNG Rules Football Council.

amoa

"Main article: Australian rules football in Samoa"

Australian rules football in Samoa has been played since 1997. The national team, known as the Bulldogs first competed at the Arafura Games in 1998. The game is typically played under derived rules known as Samoa Rules and is played on rugby fields. There is a full time development officer funded by AusAid, a junior development program and a schoolboy's tournament.

olomon Islands

Australian rules football was first played in the Solomon Islands in 2003 with some junior clinics held by Garry McKenzie and members of the Australian Defence Force, stationed in the country to help restore order after years of civil unrest. The first AGM of the Solomon Islands Australian Football Association was held in August 2004 at the National Sports Centre, with around 100 people attending, almost all being locals. The committee was elected and subsequently met to discuss plans for developing the code, especially for 12 to 18 year olds. By the end of 2004 there were two senior teams playing friendly matches and around 150 juniors had participated in games. Since then the program has been on hiatus, although there are still interested parties in the Solomons hoping to formally build a league.In 2007, mixed games between army personnel and locals were played. [ [http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=52832 Solomon Islands Thriller] ]

Tonga

"Main article: Australian rules football in Tonga"

Australian rules football in Tonga has been played since 2003, when the Tonga Australian Football Association was founded. A schools competition has been played yearly since then, including a tour to Samoa and the national team has competed against the Fitzroy Reds amateur team from Australia.

Vanuatu

Australian rules football has been played in Vanuatu since 2006, when AFL Queensland volunteers from the Gold Coast, Queensland set up a Rec Footy competition. The program expanded in 2008 to include an Auskick junior development program. [ [http://www.dailypost.vu/index.php?news=2774&VivvoSessionId=6968b47c4869a659c7129 The Vanuatu Daily Post - AFL Auskick kicks off in Vanuatu ] ]

External links

* [http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=2770&pID=2 Solomon Islands Australian Football Association]

References