Australian rules football in China

Jiangwan Stadium the venue for the first Australian Football League matches played in China

Country| People's Republic of China
Governing body| AFL China
National team(s)| People's Republic of China
First played| 1989, Hong Kong
Registered players| 2,919 (2021)[1]

Audience records

Single match| 10,689 (2018). Port Adelaide v. Gold Coast (Jiangwan Stadium)

Australian rules football in China has been played since the 1989 and grew in popularity in the 2010s.[2]

Interest in Australian football in China received a boost after the AFL, the premier professional football competition in Australia, invested in an AFL exhibition match in Shanghai in 2010, and followed up with an AFL academy in 2011. Further investment has followed from other interests including the construction of a dedicated AFL oval in Tianjin in 2011. The AFL Commission designed AFLX in 2017 as a means to promote the sport in China.[3] It scheduled a series of AFL Premiership matches was played at Jiangwan Stadium from 2017-2019, the first outside of Pacific, which attracted an average attendance of 10,073.

The local state TV network began broadcasting matches from Australia in 2016.[2] The 2019 AFL Grand Final was watched by a record 5.67 million viewers.[4] Star Sports has since broadcast AFL there.

There are a number of senior clubs spread throughout China, including in the bigger cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin, as well as Auskick programs in other cities such as Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

The national team, composed solely of Chinese nationals, is known as the China (Dragons or Reds). It won the Asian Australian Football Championships All-Asia Cup in 2017 and 2018 and achieved its best international result of 13th at the 2017 Australian Football International Cup.

## Clubs & Competitions

[edit]

### Local Leagues

[edit]

Competition  | Region  | First season  | Teams  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Guangdong Australian Football League (GDAFL)  | Guangdong (Guangzhou, Dongguan and Huizhou)  | 2014  | 5  | Guangdong AFL
South China Australian Football League (SCAFL)  | Hong Kong | 2015  | 4  | South China AFL

### Clubs

[edit]

Club  | City  | Founded  | Notes

|
|
|

Beijing Bombers  | Beijing | 2003  | Beijing Bombers
Dongguan Panther Blues (China Blues)  | Dongguan | 2011  |
Hong Kong Dragons | Hong Kong | 1989  | Hong Kong Dragons
Guangzhou Scorpions  | Guangzhou | 2010  | Guangzhou Scorpions
Macau Lightning  | Macau | 2010  | Macau Lightning
Shanghai Tigers  | Shanghai | 2002  | Shanghai Tigers

## History

[edit]

Chinese Australians have been playing Australian rules football since the late 19th century. In 1882, 17-year-old Henry George Chin Kit made his debut for the Ironbark Football Club against Charing Cross in the Bendigo Football League.[5] The Ballarat Chinese Football Premiership was covered extensively between 1892 and 1896, in local newspapers.[6]

A widely published 1939 editorial highlighted a very positive response to the game from a group of visiting Chinese delegates, one of which proposed that China should adopt the game.[7]

The first recorded match in Hong Kong was in 1939 played by the Royal Australian Navy.[8] At least two papers posted positive reviews of the matches:

> "Given a big ground and normal conditions, the Australian rules game should prove popular with football followers and it would not come as a surprise to see the Chinese adopt this game which is a combination of football (meaning soccer), rugby and basketball."[8]

> "it was a great im provement on rugby union football, and the game showed what an immense difference in speed there would be in rugby union if scrums were disallowed."[8]

Matches were played by Australian Naval Reservists in 1940, there was hope that local Chinese would take up the game.[9] In July 1940, a match was played at Kowloon at the Police Club grounds.[10]

### Late 20th Century

[edit]

In 1984 the South Australian National Football League announced a plan to sell rights to its matches to China to an audience of around 70 million including translations.[11]

The Hong Kong Dragons Australian expatriate team was formed in 1990, and have been one of Asia's most successful Australian rules football clubs since this time. The Dragons play against other Asian teams regularly and have competed at all Asian Australian Football Championships to date. Auskick, the Australian football program for juniors, grew in Hong Kong in the early 2000s after two Victorian expatriate families managed to secure official support and equipment from the AFL in Australia. The Dragons also coordinate an Auskick juniors program. Players trained at the iconic grounds at Happy Valley as well as the Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK).[12]

A junior program called the Gobi Desert AFL existed at a primary school in Hami, Xinjiang in the 1990s, but this has now disappeared.[citation needed]

A club was established in Shanghai under the name of the Shanghai Tigers in 2002. The Tigers have a playing list consisting mainly of expatriate Australians, with some British, American and South African players as well.[citation needed]

Australian rules was first played in Beijing in 2004, with the foundation of the Australian Expatriate team, the Beijing Bombers.[citation needed]

In city of Suzhou in 2007, 18 schools had introduced the sport into their curriculum.[13]

The sister city relationship between Tianjin and Melbourne saw the beginnings of football development in 2005.[14] By 2007, a development organisation called the AFL China had been formed, with Tianjin Normal University having two Australian football teams at its main campuses.[15] The Tianjin program was sponsored by the Melbourne Football Club and the Melbourne City Council, through links formed by former Melbourne Lord Mayor John So.[citation needed]

The Beijing Bombers played an annual China Cup series against the other Australian expatriate team the Shanghai Tigers, as well as starting a 3-team metro league known as the Beijing AFL in 2009.

Australian football began in Macau in 2009, with the introduction of Auskick and matches at the International School of Macau. The Macau Lightning Australian expatriate senior team debuted in 2010, with matches against the Hong Kong Dragons and Pokfulam Vikings.[16] They made their first Asian Championships appearance in Shanghai in October 2010, but failed to win any matches at the tournament.[17]

A second Australian expatriate team in the Pokfulam region of Hong Kong was in existence in 2010, playing as the Pokfulam Vikings and conducting some matches against the Dragons.[16]

The Guangzhou Scorpions Australian expatriate team was formed in 2010, playing matches against the Hong Kong Dragons and Macau Lightning.[18]

In late 2011 into early 2012 Darrell Egan Founded the Dongguan Panther Blues team at a middle school in Humen Dongguan. The team is also known in Australia as the China Blues consists of 15 to 18 years old student players, with some old school players up to the age of 20. The team went on to play Chinese teams of locals which formed in mid 2013 and is now coached under team's original captain Lin Honghue (Leighton Lin). Darrell Egan now acts as the team's Australian Liaison manager. The Dongguan Panther Blues established the first Chinese team of locals in China in 2014. Carlton Blues player Wally Koochew (See Below) being a pioneer as the first Chinese player in VFL/AFL history the Dongguan Blues team are also the pioneers in China.[19][20]

In 2016 Port Adelaide FC signed born and raised 2014 International Cup captain Chen Shaoliang to its International Scholarship list[21] Shaoliang played reserves matches with Port Adelaide in the SANFL[22] however was not elevated to the club's AFL list.

## National Team

[edit]

China

Nickname(s)| Dragons
Governing body| AFL China
Rankings
Current|  13th (as of October 2022[23])
International Cup
Appearances| 4 (first in 2008)
Best result| 13th (2017)
China's Red Demons take on the USA at IC08

A representative team mainly consisting of expat Australians in China has competed under the names China Blues and China Reds in International fixtures and Asian AFL Championships. The first national representative team composed entirely of Chinese nationals appeared as the China Red Demons at the 2008 Australian Football International Cup. Bo Gee Lu, a native of Guangdong played Australian Rules Football while studying at the University of Adelaide and went on to represent China with significant esteem in a number of International Cups, mostly as a midfielder/forward or pinch hitting in the Ruck.

### International Cup

[edit]

* 2008: 15th
* 2011: 5th (Division Two)
* 2014: 4th (Division Two)
* 2017: 3rd (Division Two)

## Players

[edit]

* Lin Jong playing for the Western Bulldogs in 2018

* Callum Ah Chee playing for the Gold Coast Football Club in 2018

* Brendon Ah Chee playing for the Port Adelaide Football Club in 2017

* Jack Wunhym in 1933

* Wally Koochew of the Carlton Football Club in 1908

* Sophie Li playing for Adelaide Football Club in 2019

* Rebecca Beeson playing for GWS Giants in 2018

* Darcy Vescio playing for the Carlton Football Club in 2017

Currently on an AFL senior list

Player | AFL Years* | AFL Matches* | AFL Goals | Clubs played for/plays for | Connections to China, Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Connor Downie | 2021-2022 | 2 | 0 | Hawthorn FC | Mother[24]
Cameron Polson | 2017-2020 | 19 | 4 | Carlton FC | Born in Hong Kong[25]
Callum Ah Chee | 2016- | 105 | 42 | Gold Coast FC, Brisbane Lions | Great grandfather[26][27]
Lin Jong | 2012-2021 | 65 | 33 | Western Bulldogs | Father[28][29][30]
Brendon Ah Chee | 2012-2021 | 58 | 31 | Port Adelaide FC | Great Grandfather[31]
Michael Long | 1989–2001 | 190 | 143 | Essendon FC | Great Grandparent[32] First AFL premiership player in 1993 (2 premierhips total).
Dannie Seow | 1986–1990 | 25 | 10 | Collingwood FC, Melbourne FC | Father[33]
Neale Fong | 1978-1999 | - |  | West Perth (WAFL) | Parents. Member of the WA football hall of fame.
Les Fong | 1973-1985 | - |  | West Perth (WAFL) | Parents. West Perth's longest-serving captain (1980–85). Selected for six State of Origin games for the Western Australian team, including the first such game (1977).[34]
Ian Chinn | 1940-1942 | 17 | 28 | South Melborune FC | [35]
Jack Wunhym | 1927-29 | 10 | 1 | Footscray FC | Father[36]
Les Kew Ming | 1922 | - |  | North Melbourne FC (VFA) | Parents[37]
Ernie Foo | 1914 | 4 | 2 | St Kilda FC | Parents[38]
George Tansing | 1908 | 5 | 2 | Geelong FC | Father[39][40]
Wally Koochew | 1908 | 4 | 2 | Carlton FC | Father[41]
Currently on an AFLW senior list

Player | AFLW Years* | AFLW Matches* | AFLW Goals* | Clubs played for/plays for | Connections to China, Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Amanda Ling | 2022- | 2 | - | Western Bulldogs | Parents[2]
Joanna Lin | 2021- | 17 | 4 | Collingwood FC | Taiwanese parents.
Sophie Li | 2018-20 | 21 | 1 | Adelaide FC | Parent[42] First AFLW premiership player in 2019.
Darcy Vescio | 2017- | 58 | 55 | Carlton FC | Parent[43][42]
Rebecca Beeson | 2017- | 41 | 7 | Greater Western Sydney | Parent[42]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Encouraging signs as participation holds firm in Asia from AFL Asia 7 December 2021
2. ^ a b c Coach of China's first AFL team schools Victorian students on their own game By Abby Dinham for SBS. 14 September 2016
3. ^ Implementation of AFLX idea could in the end do more harm than good by Craig Little for The Guardian 26 July 2017
4. ^ Record TV ratings in China for Tigers' Grand Final triumph by Staff writer for AFL 23 October 2019
5. ^ Gold diggers-turned-goal kickers: How Australia’s Chinese community has excelled in footy since Gold Rush from SBS 12 July 2023
6. ^ 'A death blow to the white Australia policy': Australian rules football and the Chinese community in Victoria, 1892-1908
7. ^ "OUR SPORTS THROUGH CELESTIAL EYES". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 28, 948. Victoria, Australia. 3 June 1939. p. 5 (The Argus Weekend magazine). Retrieved 27 April 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
8. ^ a b c "WA Footballer Player In Hong Kong's First Game". The Daily News. Vol. LXIV, no. 22, 202. Western Australia. 6 June 1946. p. 13 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved 3 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
9. ^ "First National Code Game In East". The Mercury. Vol. CLII, no. 21, 575. Tasmania, Australia. 20 January 1940. p. 20. Retrieved 10 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
10. ^ "Game In China". Sporting Globe. No. 1882\. Victoria, Australia. 6 July 1940. p. 4 (Edition1). Retrieved 27 April 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
11. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL SA matches for Chinese TV". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 770. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 May 1984. p. 22. Retrieved 27 April 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
12. ^ Post Magazine (29 May 2007). "Australian football gathers steam | South China Morning Post". Scmp.com. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
13. ^ Northey, Brett (27 October 2007). "Dees see China investment already bearing fruit". World Footy News.
14. ^ Parry, Peter (19 September 2005). "Melbourne link to China development". World Footy News.
15. ^ Richard, Aaron (21 November 2007). "Beijing defeat Shanghai and Tianjin found second team in big week for Chinese footy". World Footy News.
16. ^ a b Richard, Aaron (6 May 2010). "First Hong Kong-Macau local derby this weekend". World Footy News.
17. ^ Nugent, Ash (7 October 2010). "hanghai to host Asian Championships". World Footy News.
18. ^ Mallia, Paul (12 December 2010). "Dragons Finish Season on a High". Hong Kong Dragons. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011.
19. ^ "Australian Football kicking goals in China - Australia Network News - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
20. ^ "Expat promotes Australian rules football in China's Dongguan - Connect Asia". radioaustralia.net.au. 24 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
21. ^ Port Adelaide signs its first recruit from China
22. ^ First Chinese national Chen Shaoliang debuts for SANFL's Port Adelaide Magpies By Caroline Winter 26 August 2017
23. ^ "World Footy News World Rankings post 2022 European Championships - World Footy News".
24. ^ AFL Draft 2020: Connor Downie ready to inspire a nation with mum’s Chinese heritage
25. ^ "2020 Multicultural Map revealed". AFLPA. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
26. ^ Going places: Rocket man Callum Ah Chee out to prove his hanger is no fluke
27. ^ Callum Ah Chee exploring his Chinese roots By Nat Edwards 16 May 2018
28. ^ Baldwin, Adam (5 February 2014). "Tea with the Jongs". AFL Players. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
29. ^ Connolly, Rohan (1 May 2015). "Lin Jong a Western Bulldog who belongs". The Age. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
30. ^ Landsberger, Sam (9 August 2012). "Lin Jong elevated to the Western Bulldogs senior list". Herald Sun.
31. ^ Port Adelaide recruit Brendon Ah Chee Archived 7 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
32. ^ "Aboriginal footy elder plans long trip home". Smh.com.au. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
33. ^ The Age, "You're a champ China", 27 June 2006
34. ^ West Australian Football Commission, 2012, Western Australian Interstate Football Representatives 1904 - 2011 (19 May 2012)
35. ^ Brisbane Lions' Callum Ah Chee is on the cusp of a 141-year first for football's Chinese-Australian community By Paul Kennedy for ABS 23 September 2023
36. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. p. 976\. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
37. ^ Les Kew Ming – the fighting footballer Robert Allen for Australian Football
38. ^ "Australian Football - ernie foo - Player Bio". AustralianFootball.com.
39. ^ "George Tansing - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
40. ^ "The Forgotten Story of the Chinese Goldfields Aussie Rules leagues". The Guardian. 25 March 2015.
41. ^ "From "Media City" to premiership glory". Carlton FC. 3 August 2015.
42. ^ a b c AFLPA multicultural map
43. ^ Matthews, Bruce (29 July 2016). "Marquee Blue Darcy Vescio embraces the club". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 26 October 2016.

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