Australian rules football in South Africa

Sport overview
country = South Africa
sport = Australian rules football


imagesize = 260px
caption =
union = AFL South Africa
nickname = Lions (formerly Buffaloes)
first = 1898
registered = 7,800 (total)
2,000 (adult)
4,800 (junior)
clubs = 100
match = 10,123 (1998). Brisbane v. Fremantle. (Cape Town)
league =
national1 =
club1 = North West Province Australian Football League
club2 = Gauteng Province Australian Football League
club3 =
club4 =
country

Australian rules football in South Africa is a fast growing team sport, having grown in participation by 160% between 2005-07. [http://www.afl.com.au/Portals/0/afl_docs/2007_International_Census_Sheet_240807.pdf AFL International Census] ]

Since 1996, the sport has been growing quickly amongst indigenous communities, beginning in the North West province and later spreading to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Province through the work of development officers.

South Africa's national team made history in 2007 by competing against Australia's best Under 17 players as well as defeating a touring Australian amateur senior team for the first time.

The governing body for the game in South Africa is AFL South Africa.

History of Australian Rules in South Africa

Early Beginnings

Australian rules football was first played in South Africa in 1898 when Australian soldiers on Boer War service in South Africa played the game behind the lines. [http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/10346/Default.aspx]

Following this time, the game was played by some local teams.

It is generally believed that interest and support for Australian rules football died following World War I.

A Revival ?

In 1967, it was reported in the VFL Record's "Footy Facts" column that Australian football clubs existed in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town and that the VFL was optimistic about the future of the game in South Africa. [AFL Record. Round 6, 2007] Little is known of how and when these clubs formed or what later became of them.

Development Begins

In 1997, the Australian Defence Force visited the North West Province and the first talks of re-introducing the game began with some football clinics. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1040220,00.html Playing by the Australian Rules] from Time Magazine] The key benefits of the game were seen to be the apartheid racial issues which plagued the nation's national sport, rugby union and providing potential indigenous athletes with other choices a chance to possibly play a professional sport besides football (soccer), which is popular amongst indigenous communities. Australian Football is highly popular with indigenous Australian communities, and the potential for cross-cultural links was also regarded as an opportunity.

In 1998, an experimental exhibition match was played between the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle Dockers Australian Football League clubs in Cape Town. The game attracted 10,123 spectators and media interest. The South African Government declared Australian rules football the sport for "the new South Africa". [ [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1296562.htm South Africa embraces Australian Rules football] ] Later that year an Under 16 South African team competed in inaugural Jim Stynes Cup in Canberra. In the same year the Adelaide Crows conducted coaching clinics in South Africa.

In 2000, talented South African born indigenous player Damian Cupido (who moved to Perth, Western Australia as a youngster) debuted for AFL club Brisbane Lions, stirring further Australian interest in the country as a source of potential talent.

In 2001, the first AFL development officer was appointed.

International Competition

In 2002, South Africa sent its first national team, the "Buffaloes" to the Australian Football International Cup held in Melbourne. The team was not successful, failing to win any games and being defeated by large margins.

AFL South Africa was formed in 2003, as a development organisation and secured funding from the North West Academy of Sport, as well as Ausaid, Australian Volunteers International and Tattersalls. Brian Dixon became the inaugural chairperson, establishing a Head Office at 17 Kerk Str, Potchefstroom.

With the success of the program, the Australian Football League began to contribute development funds in 2004, seeing the country as a potential source of playing talent.

A greatly improved Buffaloes competed in the 2005 Australian Football International Cup. The team registered its first win at senior international level against Japan and also Spain, finishing 8th overall.

In 2005, the Australian Convicts toured South Africa. They defeated the Buffaloes, but the Buffaloes were competitive.

South African born indigenous West Australian Football League player Paul "Gumby" Magambwa began entertaining crowds with spectacular skills. [ [http://www.australianrules.com.au/2005stories/gumbyspecky.html Up there Gumby] ]

In 2006, the AFL announced it would send an All-aboriginal juniors side (from the Clontarf Foundation's Clontarf Football Academy [ [http://www.clontarffootball.com/ Clontarf Football Academy] ] ) headed by former Essendon star Michael Long and Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes to play 3 matches, including an International Rules match against local sides in South Africa [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060308092911985 Indigenous Aussies take series 3 - 0 but South African footy a winner] by Brett Northey for worldfootynews.com] . Although the Australian team won easily [ [http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/03/14/1142098462645.html The Power of Many] by Martin Flanagan for realfooty.com.au. March 15, 2006] the AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou announced that he wanted the expand the International Rules Series to become a tri-series and include South Africa, believing that indigenous South Africans would prefer a game with a round ball. He also stated that he believed that a junior from South Africa will eventually play at the AFL level in around 5-10 years time [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060123214918465 AFL wants South Africa to take on Australia by 2008] by Aaron Richard for worldfootynews.com] .

South Africa sent a side to the 2006 Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament, showing some improvement, but losing games to New Zealand, the ACT and Australian aboriginal side.

South African born Luke van Rheenen was selected in the 2007 rookie draft by the St Kilda Football Club. In February 2007, a youth side toured Australia, playing a curtain raiser to the Aboriginal All-Stars match in Darwin as well as games in Kakadu and Perth all against indigenous youth sides.

In March, the Australian Convicts returned to play a series of matches, and were defeated for the first time by the South African Buffaloes. [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20070307015455321 Buffaloes over Convicts - match report] from worldfootynews.com]

On the 14th of April, 2007, Australia's AIS Under 17 squad competed against the South African national Australian rules football team at North West Cricket Stadium in Potchefstroom, South Africa. [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20070418011543665 Aussie talent all class on African footy's big day] from worldfootynews.com]

In April 2007, a large scale junior program, similar to Auskick called "Footy Wild" was launched and Frank Costa backed a large sponsorship deal for South African footy.

The Geelong College 1st XVIII football team (along with the netball team) toured South Africa in June/July Aussie Rules matches at junior level against each of the main provinces. Although winning convincingly, The Geelong College formed positive relationships with the players and the trip proved to be a great investment for AFL in South Africa. [http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=47447 Geelong College visits South Africa]

In February 2008, the Flying Boomerangs again returned to South Africa on tour, this time attracting more local media interest. [ [http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-02-29-upsidedown-football-mate Upside-down football, mate] by Niren Tolsi for Mail & Guardian South Africa]

In the same month, the AFL announced that 4 of its clubs had applied for access to specific recruiting zones in South Africa and to provide investment and development support through clinics and end of season tours. The clubs include Collingwood (Western Cape), Fremantle (North West), Carlton and the West Coast Eagles.

Between July 4-8 in 2008, the historic first senior AFL South Africa National Championships were held at the Kopanelo Cricket Ground in Potchefstroom from which the 2008 Australian Football International Cup squad was selected. [ [http://fremantlefc.com.au/tabid/7009/default.aspx?newsid=62517 Official AFL Website of the Fremantle Football Club > News Article > AFL South Africa National Championships ] ]

The Lions returned to the International Cup in 2008. Despite fielding a short team, the Lions were fast and skilful and suprised their opponents with a 3rd placing overall taking some large scalps including its first wins over early tournament favourites the USA and Ireland and losing only to the eventual tournament winners Papua New Guinea.

Participation

The game has grown rapidly in South Africa.From no players in 1997 to 160 senior and 540 junior players in South Africa in 2004. [ [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=2005030107004484 World Footy Census 2004 - Africa] by Brett Northey for worldfootynews.com] By the end of 2005, it was reported by the AFL that there were over 3,000 players in the country. The AFL has set a target of 20,000 players in South Africa by 2009.

By the end of 2007, the figures recorded a total of 7,800 participants including 3,000 senior players, 800 juniors and 4,000 "Footy Wild" (Auskick) participants. This represents a growth in participation of 160% between 2005-07.

Notable Players

* Damian Cupido (AFL / SANFL)- South African born AFL player who played for both Brisbane and Essendon
* Luke van Rheenen (AFL) (07/03/1988) - South African born 201cm rookie with the St Kilda Football Club
* Ziggy Alwan (SANFL) (23/11/1988) - South African born 185cm young player for Norwood Football Club recruited from the Victorian Eastern Football League's Noble Park Football Club [http://www.norwoodfc.com.au/profiles/profile_34.htm] where he grew up. He was runner up in the reserves Magarey Medal in 2008
* Mtutuzeli Hlomela (SANFL) - 167cm soccer convert who played SANFL under 18s before captaining the South African national team in 2005 and 2008 International Cups and later national coach
* Paul Magambwa (WAFL) - (30/05/1981) - South African born Magambwa was recruited from Bullcreek Leeming and debuted in 2005 with the South Fremantle Football Club. The 182cm forward is known for his spectacular high leap and mark.
* Steven Malinga (07/05/1982) - South African national team vice-captain from Itsoseng who has played for Swan Districts in the WAFL reserves
* Steven Matshane (02/04/1988) - outstanding junior talent from Mafikeng who has represented South Africa at under 18 level against Australia's AIS and indigenous under 18 squads and has also played in the WAFL reserves. Also represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup. Has a home made tattoo of an AFL ball on his arm.
* Thabiso Phakedi (25/02/1990) - player from Morokweng played in the WAFL under 18s for Swan Districts. Represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup and was named in the World Team.
* Tshepiso Mogapi (28/02/1991) - player from Itsoseng who has played in the WAFL under 18s for Swan Districts. Represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup.
* Bayanda Sobetwa (13/03/1990) - player from Cape Town who has played in the WAFL under 18s for Swan Districts. Represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup.
* Julian Horn - player from North West Province who represented South Africa in the 2005 and 2008 International Cups and named in the 2008 International Cup World Team.

National Team

The Lions are South Africa's national team. Their best result was in the 2008 Australian Football International Cup when they finished 3rd overall behind Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

Leagues

*North West Province Australian Football League
*Gauteng Province Australian Football League

References

ee also

*AFL South Africa
*Australian Convicts

External links

* [http://www.australianvolunteers.com/involved/publications/magazine/4176/4179 Australian Volunteers International article on development of RSA footy] http://www.theconvicts.com/ The Australian Convicts 2nd tour to promote Australian footy in South Africa.
* [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1040220,00.html Learning to play by Australian Rules from Time magazine/CNN]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_hqosNvv5E Video of Aussie Rules] from YouTube