Australian rules football in the Middle East

"See also: Australian rules football in Asia"

Australian rules football in the Middle East is played at various levels, mainly by expatriate Australians. The main cup competition played in the area is the Dubai 9s, although a regional league under the name AFL Middle East is planned to commence in October 2008. The AFLME will initially feature six clubs, three in Dubai and one each from Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Doha.

Iraq

Servicemen, mostly Australians in Iraq played a game on ANZAC Day in 2008 in the colours of Essendon Bombers and Collingwood Magpies to celebrate the The ANZAC Day clash.

Israel

Australian Rules in Israel has been played sporadically since at least 1995, when a group of around 20 players began regular social matches in Tel Aviv, although most of the players were based in Jerusalem. By 2005 the community was still playing with around 70 players involved and discussion about creating a four-team league with sides from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and various youth programs. The majority of the playing base are members of the Jewish community in Melbourne who have emigrated to Israel [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20050111192248597 Footy in Israel - From St Kilda to the Dead Sea] ] .

A side representing Israel competed in both years of the Australian Football Multicultural Cup, winning the 2004 competition.

A team composed of Australian Jews resident in London competed as Israel in the 2005 EU Cup.

Israel and Palestine

The formation of a composite team of Israeli and Palestinian players to participate in the 2008 Australian Football International Cup was suggested by the Australian Jewish community in late 2007. [ [http://www.ajn.com.au/news/news.asp?pgID=4368 Plan for joint Israeli-Palestinian footy team] from the Australian Jewish News] This team would be composed mainly of basketball and soccer players, trained from scratch in the first half of 2008. Backing the plan is the Peres Center for Peace, as well as board members of AFL clubs, including Australian Jewish businessman and Carlton Football Club president Dick Pratt.

In early 2008 it was reported that around 75 players were in training for the team, to be cut back to around 30 for the squad to attend the International Cup. Match-day coach for the team at the tournament is to be Robert DiPierdomenico.

Lebanon

Australian Rules in Lebanon was first played around 2003 and 2004 in an attempt to introduce the sport into that country by members of the Lebanese community resident in Melbourne [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20040904073154298 Lebanese Falcons take flight] ] , this competition (based in Tripoli) has since gone into recess.

A team representing the Melbourne Lebanese community also competed at the Australian Football Multicultural Cup in both 2004 and 2005.

Pakistan

"Main article: Australian rules football in Pakistan"

Australian Rules has been played in Pakistan since 2006, starting with the creation of the Australian Rules Football Federation of Pakistan, based in the city of Mingora, Swat Valley.

Oman

A group of players from Oman appeared at the 2007 Dubai 9s. The Dubai Dingos followed the Dubai 9s by scheduling a match against the Omani side, which was partly composed of Gaelic football converts. [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20071114223751471 Dingoes to face Omani side] In 2008, the Muscat Magpies were formed as the country's first formal club. The Magpies will compete in the upcoming AFL Middle East.

Qatar

[ [http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/dubai9s Dubai 9s website] [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20070228104819109 Dubai 9s Preview] ] .

United Arab Emirates

Australian Rules in the United Arab Emirates has been played since 2006, with the creation of a club in Dubai known as the Dubai Dingoes. [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20061123010941155 Dubai tries to get footy moving in the Middle East] by Ash Nugent for World Footy News. November 23 2006] In addition to the senior team, there is junior football held weekly. The club is mainly composed of expatriate Australians as well as Irish from the local gaelic football club. The Dingoes held a 9-a-side international tournament in early 2007, also featuring teams from Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar. [ [http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/dubai9s/ Aussie Rules International 2007 Dubai 9's tournament] ]

A second club called the Dubai Heat has also been created as of 2007.

A team mainly drawn from the Dubai Heat, but also with some players from the Dubai Dingos, represented the UAE at the 2007 Asian Australian Football Championships.

In February 2008, the first AFL match in the United Arab Emirates was held at the Ghantoot Polo and Racing Club in Abu Dhabi between the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpies. It was one of few official NAB Cup matches played outside of Australia and the game attracted a sell-out crowd of 6,102 using a makeshift field and grandstand and was televised free-to-air in Australia.cite news | author=Damian Barrett | title=Footy facelift for polo complex | publisher=Herald Sun | date=24 January 2008 | url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23099386-11088,00.html] The curtain raiser for the AFL match was played between the Dubai Dingos and Dubai Heat.

The Abu Dhabi Falcons and Dubai Dragons were formed in 2008 as the UAE's third and fourth clubs.

References