Aussie Rules UK
Aussie Rules UK (ARUK) was established in London as a pilot project for the international development of Australian rules football. Commencing in April 2005, ARUK grew rapidly with over 10,000 children participating in its flagship program, Aussie Rules Schools.
From 2007 until 2009, Aussie Rules UK also ran a senior competition, entitled the Aussie Rules UK National League. All leagues are now run by, and affiliated to AFL England.
It was an initiative of Australian Football International.
Major Achievements
Aussie Rules UK also established many firsts for Australian rules football internationally with major achievements including:
- Inclusion in the London Youth Games (Europe's largest junior sports tournament)
- Hosting the inaugural EU Cup (European Championship) in London
- 1st Women's match in Europe – Anzac Sports Challenge London
- 1st international junior match in Europe (England v Denmark, Copenhagen)
- Establishment of the Dragon Cup (England v Wales)
- Establishment of the Kangaroo Cup (England v Irish Exiles)
- Aussie Rules Gala Day in London (involving 300 children from 19 schools)
Senior Development
The Aussie Rules UK National League was launched in 2007 featuring three 9-a-side local leagues located in northeastern England, southern England and Wales.
Northern
The Northern Division began with four teams, the Middlesbrough Hawks, Hartlepool Dockers, Durham Swans and Newcastle Centurions. In 2009, new team Gateshead Miners entered the league, whilst the Durham club changed its name to the Durham Saints. The league has now become the AFL Britain North East Division.
Southern
The Southern Division initially featured the Southampton Titans, Bournemouth Demons, Thanet Bombers and two sides affiliated with the London Swans, one as the Brighton Black Swans, and the second keeping the club's original name Sussex Swans and playing in the club's original home of Crawley. Thanet folded after the 2007 season, but were replaced in 2008 by the Chippenham Redbacks, a new club who were based largely around players from the recently defunct Swindon Devils. The league gained new side the Portsmouth Pirates for 2009, but lost Brighton. The league is now the AFL Britain Southern Division. In 2011 the league grew again to six teams with the addition of the Guildford Crows Aussie Rules FC.
Welsh
The Welsh division began with four sides in south Wales and the Swindon Devils from England's West Country, but the Welsh sides struggled initially for player numbers in 2007 and games were held irregularly. 2008 saw the league restructure as an organisation called the Welsh Australian Rules Football League.
Central
The Central Division began play in 2009, with the Birmingham Bears, Huddersfield Rams, Leeds Bombers and Liverpool Eagles competing. Some of these clubs still compete in the AFL Britain Central & North West Division, together with former BARFL Social League clubs Manchester Mosquitoes and Nottingham Scorpions and new clubs Wolverhampton Wolverines, Hull Mariners and Sheffield Thunder.