Countries playing Australian rules football

List of countries with registered players of Australian rules football

See also: Geography of Australian rules football and Australian Football International Cup

Map of the world indicating the nations where Australian rules football was most played in 2009. The stronger regions are indicated in shades of red, areas in which it was most played; areas where the game was unknown or least played are indicated in grey.

Note: In order to be recognised as a true national team and not simply expatriates (for the purposes of this entry), the list is subject to International Cup eligibility rules.[1]

Australian Football League has official affiliation agreements with 15 international governing bodies, ARFL Ireland, AFL Canada, Danish Australian Football League, AFL Scotland, AFL England, AFL Wales, AFL Japan, Nauru Australian Football Association, AFL New Zealand, USAFL, AFL South Africa, AFL PNG, AFL Samoa, Tonga Australian Football Association, AFL Germany and AFL Middle East, although it has working relations with leagues and clubs in further countries.

However, while these affiliations are in place, Australia is the only nation that actively engages in this sport at a professional level.

## Africa

[edit]

Main article: Australian rules football in Africa

Countries with established league(s) and non-Australian-based national team:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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South Africa | Overview[2] | Lions (formerly Buffaloes) |  | AFL South Africa | North West Province
Gauteng Province |  | 3rd, (IC2008)

Other nations with some history of Australian Rules:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)

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Botswana | Overview[3] | None | None | None | None | None
Ghana | Overview[4] | None | None | None | None | None
Kenya | Overview[5] | None | None | None | None | None |
Senegal | Overview | None | None | None | None | None |
Uganda | Overview[6] | None | None | None | None | None
Western Sahara | Overview[7] | None | None | None | None | None
Zimbabwe | Overview | None | None | None | None | None |

## Americas

[edit]

Main article: Australian rules football in the Americas

Countries with established league(s) and non-Australian-based national team:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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Canada | Overview | Northwind (men's), Northern Lights (women's) | 40+ | AFL Canada | OAFL
BCAFL
AFL Quebec
CWAFL | USAFL National Championships | 6th (IC2008) |
United States | Overview | Revolution (men's), Freedom (women's) | 50+ | USAFL | MAAFL
EAFL
NWPAFL
SEAFL
WAFA | USAFL National Championships | 3rd (IC2005) |
Colombia | Overview | Jaguares (men's), (women's) | Bogota Bulldogs | AFL Colombia |  |  |  |

Other countries with some history of Australian Rules:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)

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Argentina | Overview |  | Los Santos de Santiago | AAFAU |  |  |
Brazil | Overview[8] |  | Carnaval |  |  |  |
Bermuda | Overview[9] |  | Bermuda Lions |  |  |  |
Cayman Islands | Overview[10] | None | None | None | None | None
Chile | Overview[11] |  | Santiago Saints |  |  |  |

## Asia

[edit]

Main articles: Australian rules football in Asia and Australian rules football in the Middle East

Countries with an established league(s) and non-Australian-based national team:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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Japan | Overview | Samurais | Tokyo Goannas | AFL Japan | JAFL
| Asian Championships
Narita Cup | 8th (IC2008)

Countries with at least one active club and/or national team including Australian players:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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Brunei | Overview |  | Sharks | BARFL |  | Asian Championships |
China | Overview |  | Beijing Bombers
Shanghai Tigers
Tianjin Normal University |  |  | Asian Championships | 15th, 2008
Hong Kong | Overview |  | Dragons |  |  | Asian Championships |
India | Overview[12][13][14] |  |  | AFL India |  |  | 16th, 2008
Indonesia | Overview[15] |  | Jakarta Bintangs
Jakarta Bulldogs
Bali Geckos
Banda Aceh Bandits
Borneo Bears |  | WeJAFL | Asian Championships
Pancawati Cup
Java-Bali Cup
Bali 9s |
Israel | Overview[16] | Peres Peace Team |  |  |  |  | 13th, 2008 (as Peace Team)
Laos | Overview |  | Lao Elephants |  |  |  |
Malaysia | Overview |  | Warriors |  |  | Asian Championships |
Pakistan | Overview[17][18] | Dragoons |  | AFL Pakistan | Swat |  |
Philippines | Overview[19][20] | Philippine Eagles | Philippine Eagles | PAFL |  | Asian Championships |
Qatar | Overview |  | Doha |  |  | Dubai 9s |
Singapore | Overview |  | Singapore Wombats |  |  | Asian Championships |
Thailand | Overview |  | Thailand Tigers |  |  | Asian Championships |
United Arab Emirates | Overview[21][22][23] |  | Dubai Dingoes
Dubai Dragons
Dubai Heat |  |  | Asian Championships
Dubai 9s |
Vietnam | Overview |  | Vietnam Swans | AFL Asia | SAFL
HAFL | Asian Championships |

Countries with some history of Australian Rules and/or a club in development:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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East Timor | Overview | Crocodiles |  |  |  |  |
Lebanon | Overview[24] | Falcons |  |  |  |  |
Macau | Overview | Lightning | None | None | None | None
South Korea | Overview | None | None | None | None | None
Sri Lanka | Overview | Lions | None | None | None | None

## Europe

[edit]

Main article: Australian rules football in Europe

+Countries with an established league and/or non-Australian-based national team:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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Austria | Overview | Avalanche | Styrian DownUnderDogs

Vienna Galahs

|  |  | CEAFL Cup, EU Cup |
Catalonia | Overview |  |  | LFAC | LFAC | EU Cup |
Czech Republic | Overview | Dragons | Prague Dragons | CAAFL | CAAFL League | EU Cup |
Denmark | Overview | Vikings | Farum Cats | DAFL | DAFL Premier League | Doctor's Cup | 4th, 2002
Croatia | Overview | Knights | Zagreb Hawks, Agram Power, Velika Gorica Bombers | CAARF | CRO League | EU Cup |
England | Overview | Dragonslayers
(Form part of the Great Britain Bulldogs for the IC) |  | AFL Britain | AFL London
Southern Division
Central & North West Division
North East Division | Brit Cup
EU Cup |
France | Overview[25] | Les Bleus | Aix-Marseille Dockers
Bordeaux Bombers
Montpellier Fire Sharks
Paris Cockerels
Perpignan Tigers
Strasbourg Kangaroos
Toulouse Crocodiles | UFFA | UFFA
ARFLF | EU Cup | 14th, 2011
Finland | Overview[26] | Ice Breakers | Helsinki Heatseekers
Salo Juggernauts
Espoo Roos
Turku Dockers
Waasa Wombats |  | FAFL | EU Cup | 14th, 2008
Germany | Overview | Black Eagles | Munich Kangaroos
Frankfurt Redbacks
Rheinland Lions
Hamburg Dockers
Berlin Crocodiles
Stuttgart Emus | AFLG | AFLG | EU Cup, Tri-Nations |
Iceland | Overview | Ravens | Bulls
Eagles
Dragons | IceAFL |  | EU Cup |
Ireland | Overview | Warriors |  | ARFLI | ARFLI |  | 1st, 2002 and 2011
Italy | Overview | Azzurri | Roma Blues
Milano Aussie Rulers
Genova Dockers | AFL Italia |  |  |
Montenegro | Overview | Survivors |  | AFL Crnu Gora |  |  |
Netherlands | Overview[27] | The Flying Dutchmen | Delft Blues

Waterland Eagles
Amsterdam Devils

| DAFA | DAFA Premiership | EU Cup |
Norway | Overview | Trolls | Oslo Crows
Ås Battlers
Tromsø |  |  |  |
Scotland | Overview | Clansmen
(Form part of the Great Britain Bulldogs for the IC), Sirens | Edinburgh Bloods
Glasgow Sharks
Greater Glasgow Giants
Kingdom Kangaroos
West Lothian Eagles | AFL Britain | SARFL | Haggis Cup EU Cup |
Spain | Overview | Bulls | Madrid Bears
Móstoles Kangaroos |  |  |  | 10th, 2005
Sweden | Overview | Elks |  | AFL Sweden | SAFL
SAFF | Tri-Nations | 8th, 2008
Switzerland |  | Steinbocks | Winterthur Lions
Basel Dragons
Geneva Jets | AFL Switzerland |  |  |
United Kingdom | Overview | Bulldogs |  |  | AFL Britain
WARFL
SARFL |  | 6th, 2002 & 2005
Wales | Overview | Cymru Red Dragons
(Form part of the Great Britain Bulldogs for the IC) | Cardiff Double Blues
Gwent Tigers
South Cardiff Panthers
Swansea Magpies
Vale Warriors | AFL Britain | WARFL | Dragon Cup |

Countries with at least one active club and/or national team including Australian players:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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Belgium | Overview |  | Brussels Saints |  |  | EU Cup |
Poland | Overview | Polish Devils | Warsaw Bisons, Fort Nysa, Wrocław Lions | AFL Polska | AFL Polska | EU Cup |
Russia | Overview | Czars | The Pirates
The Shooters
Slavyane
St. Petersburg Cats
Lazy Coalas | ФАФР |  | EU Cup |
Hungary | Overview | Cats | Budapest Bats | AFL Hungary |  | EU Cup |

Other countries with some history of Australian Rules:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)

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Georgia | Overview |  |  | Ozirulz Georgia |  |  |

## Oceania

[edit]

Main article: Australian rules football in Oceania

Countries with active league(s) and national teams.

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)  | Best Men's International performance (tournament)  | Best Women's International performance (tournament)

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Australia | Overview | Galahs All-Australian Team | List of clubs | AFL | AFL
SANFL
WAFL
VFL
Queensland State
NTFL
Sydney AFL
TSL
O&M MFL
VWFL
SAWFL
SWAFL
WAWFL
ACTWAFL
NTWARFA | AFL Grand Final
NAB Cup
TAC Cup | Ineligible
Fiji | Overview | Tribe | Nausori Cats
Raiwaqa Bulldogs
Suva City Swans
Suva Lions | AFL Fiji | AFL Fiji |  | 10th, 2014
Nauru | Overview | Chiefs |  | Nauru Australian Football Association | NAFA Senior League
NAFA Junior League |  | 5th, 2008
New Zealand | Overview | Falcons |  | AFL New Zealand | Auckland AFL
Canterbury AFL
Waikato AFL
Wellington AFL | NPC | 1st, 2005
Papua New Guinea | Overview | Mosquitos |  | PNG Rules Football Council | Goroka
Kimbe
Lae
Mt Hagen
Port Moresby
Rabaul
Eastern Highland | NPC | 1st, 2008; 2014
Samoa | Overview | Kangaroos |  | Samoa Australian Rules Football Association |  |  | 5th, 2005
Tonga | Overview | Black Marlins |  | Tonga Australian Football Association |  |  |
Vanuatu | Overview |  |  | AFL Vanuatu |  |  |

Other countries with some history of Australian Rules:

Country  | Overview  | National team  | Major teams/clubs  | Governing Body  | Main league competition(s)  | Main cup competition(s)

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Solomon Islands | Overview |  |  |  |  |  |

## See also

[edit]

* Sports portal
* Australia portal

## References

[edit]

1. ^ AFL and Countries ponder eligibility rules for 2008, by Brett Northey - worldfootynews.com, 23 April 2007
2. ^ South Africa target 28000 players by 2010, youth Test match confirmed, by Brett Northey - worldfootynews.com, 15 Jan 2007
3. ^ "FootyWILD set to take Africa by storm? - World Footy News".
4. ^ "West African kids kick the Aussie Footy in soccer's heartland - World Footy News".
5. ^ Footy a welcome hit in Kenya, by Matt Morris - worldfootynews.com, 20 Nov 2004
6. ^ "Footy Shorts - Footy in Uganda ? - World Footy News".
7. ^ "Aussie Rules in Western Sahara - World Footy News".
8. ^ Santiago Saints headed to Rio for Brazil's first-ever footy match, by Aaron Richard - worldfootynews.com, 9 June 2009
9. ^ Bermuda 2007 cancelled, by Brett Northey - worldfootynews.com, 16 January 2007
10. ^ "Footy in the Cayman Islands - World Footy News".
11. ^ Footy enters Chilean alternative sports scene, by Aaron Richard - worldfootynews.com, 15 Oct 2004
12. ^ Dixon's world tour to advance the cause, by Brett Northey - worldfootynews.com, 13 Sep 2006
13. ^ Kickstart to sport from Down Under by Romila Saha for the Calcutta Times 16 November 2006
14. ^ Indian footy - the 2008 International Cup, Croatian connection and Vegemite Vindaloo, by Ash Nugent - worldfootynews.com, 18 January 2007
15. ^ "Indonesian League does the hard yards alone, by Sean - worldfootynews.com, 28 November 2006". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
16. ^ Footy in Israel - From St Kilda to the Dead Sea, by Aaron Richard - worldfootynews.com, 19 January 2005
17. ^ College tournament planned for North-West Pakistan, by Aaron Richard - worldfootynews.com, 18 May 2006
18. ^ Pakistan keen to spread the word, by Ash Nugent - worldfootynews.com, 22 June 2006
19. ^ Aussie Rules gets its start in the Philippines, by Derek Ackary - worldfootynews.com, 15 January 2005
20. ^ Asian Eagles want to take to the skies again, by Craig Francis - hk-dragons.com, 24 November 2006 Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
21. ^ Dubai tries to get footy moving in the Middle East, by Ash Nugent - worldfootynews.com, 23 November 2006
22. ^ "Aussie Rules is gaining momentum in Dubai, by Steve Hill - gulfnews.com, 25 November 2006". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
23. ^ Dubai 9s preview, by Ash Nugent - worldfootynews.com, 7 Mar 2007
24. ^ Lebanese Falcons take Flight, by Aaron Richard - worldfootynews.com, 1 Oct 2004
25. ^ French footy gets on board with Leo Lagrange, by Aaron Richard - worldfootynews.com, 22 November 2006
26. ^ Finland domestic comp ready to break the ice in 2007, by Aaron Richard - worldfootynews.com, 16 November 2006
27. ^ Netherlands

## External links

[edit]

* Australian Football International

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008)

|

* v
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Australian Football International Cup

Tournaments|

* 2002
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National teams
(men)|

* Canada
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National teams
(women)|

* Australia
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* Fiji
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* v
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Australian rules football

Leagues and
competitions|

| National|

* AFL
* AFLW

|

Second-tier|

* SANFL
* SANFLW
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* VFLW
* WAFL
* WAFLW

Junior|

* AFL Under 18 Championships
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* Talent League Boys
* Talent League Girls

Other|

* AFL Canberra
* AFLC Women's
* Northern Territory Football League
* Adelaide Footy League
* NTFL Women's
* Queensland Australian Football League
* QAFL Women's
* AFL Sydney
* AFLS Women's
* Tasmanian State League
* TSL Women's

Defunct|

* AFL reserves
* NEAFL

History|

* Australian rules football during the World Wars
* History of the VFL/AFL
* Interstate football
* Marn Grook
* Origins
* Schism (1938–1949)

Variations|

* AFLX
* Comparison with Gaelic football
* Footy 9s
* International rules football
* Lightning football
* Rec footy
* Superules

Geography|

* Australian rules football in Australia
* Countries playing Australian rules football
* Tournaments
* Australian Football International Cup

Awards|

* Australian Football Hall of Fame
* Brownlow Medal
* Club best and fairest
* Magarey Medal
* Sandover Medal

Related articles|

* After-the-siren kicks
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