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Countries playing Australian rules football

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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

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

Americas

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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)
Canada Canada Overview Northwind (men's), Northern Lights (women's) 40+ AFL Canada OAFL
BCAFL
AFL Quebec
CWAFL
USAFL National Championships 6th (IC2008)
United States United States Overview Revolution (men's), Freedom (women's) 50+ USAFL MAAFL
EAFL
NWPAFL
SEAFL
WAFA
USAFL National Championships 3rd (IC2005)
Colombia 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)
Argentina Argentina Overview Los Santos de Santiago AAFAU
Brazil Brazil Overview[8] Carnaval
Bermuda Bermuda Overview[9] Bermuda Lions
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands Overview[10] None None None None None
Chile Chile Overview[11] Santiago Saints

Asia

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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)
Japan 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)
Brunei Brunei Overview Sharks BARFL Asian Championships
China China Overview Beijing Bombers
Shanghai Tigers
Tianjin Normal University
Asian Championships 15th, 2008
Hong Kong Hong Kong Overview Dragons Asian Championships
India India Overview[12][13][14] AFL India 16th, 2008
Indonesia 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 Israel Overview[16] Peres Peace Team 13th, 2008 (as Peace Team)
Laos Laos Overview Lao Elephants
Malaysia Malaysia Overview Warriors Asian Championships
Pakistan Pakistan Overview[17][18] Dragoons AFL Pakistan Swat
Philippines Philippines Overview[19][20] Philippine Eagles Philippine Eagles PAFL Asian Championships
Qatar Qatar Overview Doha Dubai 9s
Singapore Singapore Overview Singapore Wombats Asian Championships
Thailand Thailand Overview Thailand Tigers Asian Championships
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Overview[21][22][23] Dubai Dingoes
Dubai Dragons
Dubai Heat
Asian Championships
Dubai 9s
Vietnam 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)
Timor-Leste East Timor Overview Crocodiles
Lebanon Lebanon Overview[24] Falcons
Macau Macau Overview Lightning None None None None
South Korea South Korea Overview None None None None None
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Overview Lions None None None None

Europe

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+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)
Austria Austria Overview Avalanche Styrian DownUnderDogs

Vienna Galahs

CEAFL Cup, EU Cup
Catalonia Catalonia Overview LFAC LFAC EU Cup
Czech Republic Czech Republic Overview Dragons Prague Dragons CAAFL CAAFL League EU Cup
Denmark Denmark Overview Vikings Farum Cats DAFL DAFL Premier League Doctor's Cup 4th, 2002
Croatia Croatia Overview Knights Zagreb Hawks, Agram Power, Velika Gorica Bombers CAARF CRO League EU Cup
England 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 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 Finland Overview[26] Ice Breakers Helsinki Heatseekers
Salo Juggernauts
Espoo Roos
Turku Dockers
Waasa Wombats
FAFL EU Cup 14th, 2008
Germany Germany Overview Black Eagles Munich Kangaroos
Frankfurt Redbacks
Rheinland Lions
Hamburg Dockers
Berlin Crocodiles
Stuttgart Emus
AFLG AFLG EU Cup, Tri-Nations
Iceland Iceland Overview Ravens Bulls
Eagles
Dragons
IceAFL EU Cup
Republic of Ireland Ireland Overview Warriors ARFLI ARFLI 1st, 2002 and 2011
Italy Italy Overview Azzurri Roma Blues
Milano Aussie Rulers
Genova Dockers
AFL Italia
Montenegro Montenegro Overview Survivors AFL Crnu Gora
Netherlands Netherlands Overview[27] The Flying Dutchmen Delft Blues

Waterland Eagles
Amsterdam Devils

DAFA DAFA Premiership EU Cup
Norway Norway Overview Trolls Oslo Crows
Ås Battlers
Tromsø
Scotland 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 Spain Overview Bulls Madrid Bears
Móstoles Kangaroos
10th, 2005
Sweden Sweden Overview Elks AFL Sweden SAFL
SAFF
Tri-Nations 8th, 2008
Switzerland Switzerland Steinbocks Winterthur Lions
Basel Dragons
Geneva Jets
AFL Switzerland
United Kingdom United Kingdom Overview Bulldogs AFL Britain
WARFL
SARFL
6th, 2002 & 2005
Wales 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)
Belgium Belgium Overview Brussels Saints EU Cup
Poland Poland Overview Polish Devils Warsaw Bisons, Fort Nysa, Wrocław Lions AFL Polska AFL Polska EU Cup
Russia Russia Overview Czars The Pirates
The Shooters
Slavyane
St. Petersburg Cats
Lazy Coalas
ФАФР EU Cup
Hungary 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)
Georgia (country) Georgia Overview Ozirulz Georgia

Oceania

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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)
Australia 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 Fiji Overview Tribe Nausori Cats
Raiwaqa Bulldogs
Suva City Swans
Suva Lions
AFL Fiji AFL Fiji 10th, 2014
Nauru Nauru Overview Chiefs Nauru Australian Football Association NAFA Senior League
NAFA Junior League
5th, 2008
New Zealand New Zealand Overview Falcons AFL New Zealand Auckland AFL
Canterbury AFL
Waikato AFL
Wellington AFL
NPC 1st, 2005
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Overview Mosquitos PNG Rules Football Council Goroka
Kimbe
Lae
Mt Hagen
Port Moresby
Rabaul
Eastern Highland
NPC 1st, 2008; 2014
Samoa Samoa Overview Kangaroos Samoa Australian Rules Football Association 5th, 2005
Tonga Tonga Overview Black Marlins Tonga Australian Football Association
Vanuatu 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)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Overview

See also

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References

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  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
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