Australian rules football in the Northern Territory

Sport overview
noncountry = Northern Territory
sport = Australian rules football


imagesize = 260px
caption = Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final 05/06 at Nguiu stadium. Mulluwurri vs Pumurali
union = AFL Northern Territory
nickname =
first = February 1916, Darwin
registered = 16,710 (total) 3,300 (adult)
clubs =
match = 17,500 (2002). (AFL pre-season practice) Aboriginal All-Stars vs Carlton. (Marrara Oval, Darwin)
league =
national1 =
club1 = Northern Territory Football League
club2 = Central Australian Football League
club3 = Barkley & District Football League
club4 = Katherine District Football League
club5 = Gove Australian Football League
club6 = Tiwi Islands Football League
club7 =
club8 =
club9 =
country

Australian rules football in the Northern Territory has a history dating back to the 1910s and is the most popular sport in the territory.

History

The first recorded match of Australian Football in Darwin was played in February 1916 on Darwin Town Oval.

The Northern Territory Football League chose to play in the Northern Territory's 'wet season', primarily due to hard playing surfaces during the 'dry season'. Most other leagues in Australia operate during the winter, but since the Territory does not have a winter, it is played at different times. The Wanderers Football Club were the founding members of the league in 1916.

John Pye and Andy Howley introduced Australian rules football to the Tiwi Islands in 1941, which grew to become the most popular sport on the islands. The Tiwi Islands Football League is a strong competition which feeds players into the NTFL. Skills of the TIFL players are widely celebrated. The TIFL Grand Final is the largest event on the island and a major tourist drawcard.

The Northern Territory was represented in early Interstate matches in Australian rules football, before being incorporated into the QLD/NT and then Allies representative sides.

In 1991, Marrara Stadium was increased in capacity, and became the new home for the NTFL and AFL matches.

In 1991, Darwin hosted the first Arafura Games, the first international competition to include the sport of Australian Rules, and local teams have competed against nations from around the world. The city has hosted the games since.

Since the late 1990s, the Aboriginal All-Stars have captured the imagination of indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory, and have gained a huge amount of support.

Recent History

Although the Territory would love to have a local team in the national competition, a small population and the lack of potential sponsorship means it is unlikely (but not impossible) that a team will be admitted to the Australian Football League at this time.

In 2002, a record crowd of 17,500 attended an AFL pre-season practice between the Aboriginal All-Stars and Carlton Football Club.

However, in a deal struck with the Northern Territory government, Melbourne based Western Bulldogs AFL side has played several "home" games a year at Marrara Stadium.

In 2004, Alice Springs main ground Traeger Park was re-developed and has hosted several AFL exhibition matches.

In 2007, a representative side began in earnest a campaign to join a major league, the SANFL, WAFL or Queensland State League with the new team split between Alice Springs and Darwin.

Participation

In 2007, there were 3,300 senior players and a total of 16,710 participants in the Northern Territory [ [http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/we-love-aussie-rules/2007/06/19/1182019117471.html More chase Sherrin than before - realfooty.com.au ] ] . The state has an overall participation rate in the sport per capita of 7%, making it the highest in the country. [http://afl.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/article/205058bu.pdf]

The Tiwi Islands is said to have the highest participation rate in Australia (35%) [http://www.theage.com.au/news/northern-territory/even-a-cyclone-cant-stop-the-footy/2005/03/19/1111086063413.html] .

Audience

Attendance Record

* 17,500 (2002). (AFL pre-season practice) Aboriginal All-Stars vs Carlton. (Marrara Oval, Darwin)

Major Australian Rules Events in the Northern Territory

*Northern Territory Football League Grand Final
*Tiwi Islands Football League Grand Final
*Arafura Games (quadrennial)
*Australian Football League Premiership Season (Bulldogs 'home' games)

Great Northern Territory Footballers

Over the years, the Northern Territory has produced an amazing array of talent for elite leagues such as the Australian Football League and South Australian National Football League, including many indigenous Australian players. Greats include Maurice Rioli, Michael Long, Daryl White, Ronnie Burns, David Kantilla, Dean Rioli and Nathan Buckley.

Notable NT Players in the AFL

*Andrew McLeod
*Aaron Davey
*Joel Bowden
*Peter Burgoyne
*Matthew Whelan
*Jared Brennan
*Jason Roe
*Xavier Clarke
*Shannon Motlop
*Anthony Corrie
*Trent Hentschel
*Richard Tambling
*Raphael Clarke
*Daniel Motlop
*Richard Cole
*Cyril Rioli
*Cameron Stokes
*Austin Wonaeamirri

Leagues

Open

tate-wide Leagues

*Top End Australian Football Association

=Darwin Metropolitan Leagues=

*Northern Territory Football League

Regional Leagues

*Central Australian Football League
**Northern Territory Champions League
*Barkley & District Football League
*Katherine District Football League
*Gove Australian Football League
*Tiwi Islands Football League

Women's

*Northern Territory Women's Aussie Rules Football Association [http://www.geocities.com/womensfootball/ntwarfa/ Official Site]

=Masters=

*Masters Australian Football NT [http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/club_info.cgi?clubID=24971&club=Northern%20Territory&client=%40MAF%20Carnival%202005%40981%40%40%40%40%40%404%40%40%40 Official Site]

Principle Venues

*Marrara Stadium
*Traeger Park

ee also

*AFL Northern Territory
*Northern Territory Football League

References

*AFL Northern Territory
*Australian Football League

External links

* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/northern_territory.htm NT Team of the Century from Full Points Footy]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/northern-territory/even-a-cyclone-cant-stop-the-footy/2005/03/19/1111086063413.html Even a Cyclone can't stop the footy]