Australian rules football in South Africa
Encyclopedia
Australian rules football
in South Africa
is a fast growing team sport
, having grown in participation by 160% between 2005–07.
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
.
service in South Africa played the game behind the lines.
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
.
, Pretoria
and Cape Town
and that the VFL was optimistic about the future of the game in South Africa. Little is known of how and when these clubs formed or what later became of them.
visited the North West Province and the first talks of re-introducing the game began with some football clinics. 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 association 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". 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.
, 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.
In 2006, the AFL announced it would send an All-aboriginal juniors side (from the Clontarf Foundation
's 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. Although the Australian team won easily the AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou
announced that he wanted to 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.
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.
On 14 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
.
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.
In February 2008, the Flying Boomerangs again returned to South Africa on tour, this time attracting more local media interest.
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 4–8 July 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.
The Lions returned to the International Cup in 2008. Despite fielding a short team, the Lions were fast and skilful, and surprised 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.
The game is played in half a normal rugby field, measuring about 50m in length, and about 40m in width. There are only two goal posts at one end of the pitch, which can also be used to play rugby. The goals stand about 5 metres apart, and have a bar parallel to the ground about 3 metres high joining the two upright poles. 4 points are awarded if the ball is kicked from within the 22 metre "D" between the posts and over the horizontal bar, and 2 points are awarded if the ball goes under the horizontal bar. If the ball is kicked from outside the 22 metre "D" over the horizontal bar, 6 points are awarded. This is termed a "Mzanzi". The right to shoot at the goal is earned if a player marks the ball anywhere within the pitch, having caught the ball from one of their team mates kick. No umpires are present in the game, as although the game is tightly contested, the players respect the rules and enforce them accordingly themselves.
From no players in 1997 to 160 senior and 540 junior players in South Africa in 2004.
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.
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.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
is a fast growing team sport
Team sport
A team sport includes any sport which involves players working together towards a shared objective. A team sport is an activity in which a group of individuals, on the same team, work together to accomplish an ultimate goal which is usually to win. This can be done in a number of ways such as...
, having grown in participation by 160% between 2005–07.
Since 1996, the sport has been growing quickly amongst indigenous communities, beginning in the North West province
North West (South African province)
North West is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Mafikeng. The province is located to the west of the major population centre of Gauteng.-History:...
and later spreading to Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
, KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
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
AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa is the governing body and development organisation for Australian rules football in South Africa.They manage the South African national Australian rules football team, development leagues and competitions in several provinces as well as junior participation.The body is funded by...
.
Early Beginnings
Australian rules football was first played in South Africa in 1898 when Australian soldiers on Boer WarSecond Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
service in South Africa played the game behind the lines.
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
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
A Revival ?
In 1967, it was reported in the VFL Record's "Footy Facts" column that Australian football clubs existed in JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
and Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
and that the VFL was optimistic about the future of the game in South Africa. Little is known of how and when these clubs formed or what later became of them.
Development Begins
In 1997, the Australian Defence ForceAustralian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
visited the North West Province and the first talks of re-introducing the game began with some football clinics. The key benefits of the game were seen to be the apartheid racial issues which plagued the nation's national sport
National sport
A national sport or national pastime is a sport or game that is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. Some sports are de facto national sports, as baseball is in the U.S., while others are de jure as lacrosse and ice hockey are in Canada.-De jure national sports:-De facto...
, rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and providing potential indigenous athletes with other choices a chance to possibly play a professional sport besides association football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, 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
Australian rules football exhibition matches
Australian rules football has been introduced to a wide range of places around Australia and the world since the code originated in Victoria in 1859....
was played between the Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
and Fremantle Dockers
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
clubs in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. The game attracted 10,123 spectators and media interest. The South African Government declared Australian rules football the sport for "the new South Africa". Later that year an Under 16 South African team competed in inaugural Jim Stynes Cup in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. In the same year the Adelaide Crows
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
conducted coaching clinics in South Africa.
In 2000, talented South African born indigenous player Damian Cupido
Damian Cupido
Damian Cupido is a former Australian League footballer whose 53 game Australian Football League career spanned two clubs in the Australian Football League.-AFL career:...
(who moved to Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
as a youngster) debuted for AFL club Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
, 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 teamSouth African national Australian rules football team
The South African national Australian rules football team represent South Africa in the sport of Australian rules football....
, the Buffaloes to the Australian Football International Cup
Australian Football International Cup
The Australian Football International Cup is an international sport competition in Australian rules football...
held in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. The team was not successful, failing to win any games and being defeated by large margins.
AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa is the governing body and development organisation for Australian rules football in South Africa.They manage the South African national Australian rules football team, development leagues and competitions in several provinces as well as junior participation.The body is funded by...
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
Australian Volunteers International
Australian Volunteers International or AVI recruits skilled professionals from Australia to work with partner organisations in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East...
and Tattersalls
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
. Brian Dixon
Brian Dixon
Brian Dixon is a former Australian rules footballer and Victorian Politician.Dixon played 252 VFL games for Melbourne between 1954 and 1968, playing mostly on the wing...
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
2005 Australian Football International Cup
The 2005 Australian Football International Cup was the second time that the Australian Football International Cup tournament, an international Australian rules football competition was held....
. The team registered its first win at senior international level against Japan and also Spain, finishing 8th overall.
In 2005, the Australian Convicts
Australian Convicts
The Australian Convicts are a touring amateur team of Australian rules football players and officials from Australia.The Convicts were formed in 2003 to help promote Australian rules football internationally through playing tour matches against international amateur sides.-Tours:The Convicts have...
toured South Africa. They defeated the Buffaloes, but the Buffaloes were competitive.
South African born indigenous West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
player Paul "Gumby" Magambwa began entertaining crowds with spectacular skills.
In 2006, the AFL announced it would send an All-aboriginal juniors side (from the Clontarf Foundation
Clontarf Foundation
The Clontarf Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to improve the education, discipline, self esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society...
's Clontarf Football Academy ) headed by former Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
star Michael Long and Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
star Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes is a professional Australian rules football player with the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League ....
to play 3 matches, including an International Rules match against local sides in South Africa. Although the Australian team won easily the AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou
Andrew Demetriou
Andrew Demetriou is the chief executive officer of the Australian Football League and a former Australian rules footballer. He is the youngest son of Greek-Cypriot immigrants and, before becoming a VFL player, he worked in the dental import industry...
announced that he wanted to expand the International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
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.
South Africa sent a side to the 2006 Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament
Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament
The Barassi Youth Tournament is an international Australian rules football tournament for junior players who are no older than 16 years of age. In conjunction with the Australian Football International Cup senior competition, the youth cup is an important event for the development of Aussie Rules...
, 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.
Aboriginal All-Stars
The Indigenous All-Stars are an Australian rules football team composed purely of Indigenous Australians....
match in Darwin as well as games in Kakadu
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is in the Northern Territory of Australia, 171 km southeast of Darwin.Kakadu National Park is located within the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory of Australia. It covers an area of , extending nearly 200 kilometres from north to south and over 100 kilometres...
and Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
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.
On 14 April 2007, Australia's AIS
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
Under 17 squad competed against the South African national Australian rules football team
South African national Australian rules football team
The South African national Australian rules football team represent South Africa in the sport of Australian rules football....
at North West Cricket Stadium
North West Cricket Stadium
Senwes Cricket Stadium is a cricket ground in Potchefstroom, North West Province, South Africa. It has hosted one Test match, in 2002. The Highveld Lions also play some home matches here...
in Potchefstroom, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
In April 2007, a large scale junior program, similar to Auskick
Auskick
Auskick is a national program in Australia to develop and promote participation in Australian rules football by children. It has proven to be popular with both boys and girls....
called "Footy Wild" was launched and Frank Costa
Frank Costa
Frank Costa OAM is an entrepreneur, 1997 Order of Australia Medal recipient, and philanthropist. The Geelong native has been a prominent figure in the region for more than four decades, after inheriting the family's produce business in the late 1950s...
backed a large sponsorship deal for South African footy.
The Geelong College
The Geelong College
The Geelong College is an independent, co-educational, day and boarding school, located in Newtown, an inner-western suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia....
1st XVIII football team (along with the netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
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.
In February 2008, the Flying Boomerangs again returned to South Africa on tour, this time attracting more local media interest.
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
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
(Western Cape), Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
(North West), Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
and the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
.
Between 4–8 July 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
2008 Australian Football International Cup
The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested....
squad was selected.
The Lions returned to the International Cup in 2008. Despite fielding a short team, the Lions were fast and skilful, and surprised 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.
The "SAAFL"
The South African Australian Football League was formed in October 2008. The league was started at the Douglas Murray Oval in Cape Town, South Africa, and is tightly contested between two teams. The original rules of the game have been modified by the SAAFL to suit the grounds available in South Africa.The game is played in half a normal rugby field, measuring about 50m in length, and about 40m in width. There are only two goal posts at one end of the pitch, which can also be used to play rugby. The goals stand about 5 metres apart, and have a bar parallel to the ground about 3 metres high joining the two upright poles. 4 points are awarded if the ball is kicked from within the 22 metre "D" between the posts and over the horizontal bar, and 2 points are awarded if the ball goes under the horizontal bar. If the ball is kicked from outside the 22 metre "D" over the horizontal bar, 6 points are awarded. This is termed a "Mzanzi". The right to shoot at the goal is earned if a player marks the ball anywhere within the pitch, having caught the ball from one of their team mates kick. No umpires are present in the game, as although the game is tightly contested, the players respect the rules and enforce them accordingly themselves.
Participation
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.
AFL Listed Players
- Damian CupidoDamian CupidoDamian Cupido is a former Australian League footballer whose 53 game Australian Football League career spanned two clubs in the Australian Football League.-AFL career:...
(AFL / SANFL) - South African born AFL player who played for both Brisbane and Essendon - Luke van Rheenen (AFL) (07/03/1988) - South African born 201 cm rookie with the St Kilda Football Club (2007–2008)
- Tate Day (AFL) - South African born player briefly rookie listed by the Brisbane Lions (1998)
State League Players
- Bayanda Sobetwa (13/03/1990) - player from Cape TownCape TownCape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
who became the first South African to be first AFL player recruited from South Africa when he joined the Greater Western Sydney Football Club. Represented South Africa at the 2008 International Cup and played in the WAFL under 18s for Swan Districts. - Ziggy Alwan (SANFL) (23/11/1988) - South African born, season 2008 player for Norwood Football ClubNorwood Football ClubNorwood Football Club, nicknamed, Redlegs, is an Australian rules football club belonging to the South Australian National Football League in the state of South Australia...
, recruited and returned to the Victorian Eastern Football LeagueEastern Football League (Australia)The Eastern Football League is an Australian rules football League, based in the eastern suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne....
's Noble Park Football Club where he grew up. Runner up in the reserves Magarey MedalMagarey MedalFor the biography award of the same name, see Magarey Medal for biography. For a list of winners, see List of Magarey Medallists.The Magarey Medal is an Australian rules football honour awarded annually since 1898 to the fairest and most brilliant player in the South Australian National Football...
and Norwood Reserves Best and Fairest in 2008 - Mtutuzeli HlomelaMtutuzeli HlomelaMtutuzeli Hlomela is the captain of the South African national Australian rules football team and since 2005 head coach of AFL South Africa and is of the most successful Aussie Rules players/coaches to come out of from South Africa....
(SANFL) - 167 cm soccer convert who played SANFL under 18s before captaining the South African national team in 2005 and 2008 International CupAustralian Football International CupThe Australian Football International Cup is an international sport competition in Australian rules football...
s and later national coach - Paul Mugambwa (WAFL) - (30/05/1981) - South African born, recruited from Bullcreek Leeming, 2005-9 senior list player for South Fremantle Football ClubSouth Fremantle Football ClubThe South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
. The 182 cm 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 MafikengMafikengMahikeng – formerly legally, but still commonly known as Mafikeng – is the capital city of the North-West Province of South Africa. It is best known internationally for the Siege of Mafeking, the most famous engagement of the Second Boer War.Located on South Africa's border with Botswana, it is ...
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.
National team
The LionsSouth African national Australian rules football team
The South African national Australian rules football team represent South Africa in the sport of Australian rules football....
are South Africa's national team. Their best result was in the 2008 Australian Football International Cup
2008 Australian Football International Cup
The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested....
when they finished 3rd overall behind Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
Leagues
- North West Province Australian Football LeagueNorth West Province Australian Football LeagueThe North West Province Australian Football League is an Australian rules football competition in South Africa operating out of the North West Province.-Clubs:*Christiana*Ventersdorp*Ganyesa SCORE community*Bodibe*Verdwaal*Rustenburg*Mafikeng*Vryberg...
- Gauteng Province Australian Football LeagueGauteng Province Australian Football LeagueThe Gauteng Province Australian Football League is an Australian rules football competition in South Africa operating out of the province of Gauteng.-History:The league began with Eldorado Park , formed by a development officer in 2002....
External links
- 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.
- Learning to play by Australian Rules from Time magazine/CNN
- Video of Aussie Rules from YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....