Ladies Day in North London

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Pink is the colour as North London host Ladies Day

Two of AFL London powerhouse clubs will face-off for a special cause this Saturday afternoon, with a sea of pink set to descend on Bounds Green as the North London Lions host the Wandsworth Demons on Ladies Day in support of the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

While the on-field action is sure to be uncompromising across the four matches on the day – particularly in the women’s premier division clash where top spot will be on the line – the venue has been dubbed ‘Nurture Park’ for the day, and will see all players and umpires don pink socks, as raffles and festivities to add to the atmosphere on the day.

 

The Lionesses will be looking to claim top spot with a big win

 

North London President, Jay Treloar, said that the club has been a long-term supporter of female participation in football and has been eager to celebrate all the women around them by continuing the “amazing” efforts to raise money and awareness for BCNA.

“The North London Lions have always appreciated and recognised the importance of the women in our lives, but it has become even more apparent since the club became one of the founding members in the inaugural AFL London women’s league, and we now continue to support women’s participation in Australian Football in London and across the UK,” he said.

“It is estimated that 18,235 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, so starting a conversation about breast cancer is the first step to creating more awareness and it’s something that we can do quite easily,” Treloar said.

The Lions hope to double their 2017 contribution to BCNA by exceeding £800 in donations on the day, with the support of Nurture Education set to help push the 2018 final figure towards the ambitious target.

 

“Bounds Green will be referred to as ‘Nurture Park’ in recognition of the contribution of Nurture Education, one of our major club sponsors, to directly support the day. We are especially appreciative of the efforts by Director Andy Marr to get behind the day,” Treloar said.

The Lions will be raffling a host of major prizes throughout the day that have been donated by sponsors and other contributors, with one-hundred per cent of the proceeds going to the BCNA.

Treloar called for anyone capable to make the effort to attend in support of a wonderful cause.

“As is always the way at North London Lions, everyone is welcome to come to Nurture Park and watch some football against the Demons and join in the great atmosphere that Robbie and his team at the Pavilion Sports Café provide on game day.”

“Come on down and support a great cause while enjoying our great game.”

Riley Brettell – AFL Europe

Ladies Day – Round 6 AFL London

North London Lions v Wandsworth Demons

Saturday 16th June – First Bounce at 11am

‘Nurture Park’ at the Pavilion Sports Cafe, Bounds Green, London

 

PSS Presents: Around The Grounds

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PSS Presents: Around the Grounds

Each week, AFL Europe will take a look at some of the football highlights around the continent in Around the Grounds presented by PSS International Removals. Here are the standout performances from the weekend’s action.

Central Europe

Dockers take the spoils on CEAFL day one

The Zagreb Cvjetno Dockers put themselves in prime position to defend their Central European crown over the weekend, with the reigning premiers banking early competition points on the first of two CEAFL tournaments for 2018 held in Zagreb.

The Dockers were joined by the Sesvete Doubleblues, Zagreb Hawks, Styrian Downunderdogs, Prague Dragons & Velika Gorica Bombers on the day and will be looking to book their ticket to Champions League 2019 when clubs come together again for the second CEAFL event in Prague later this year.

Germany

Crocs claim a thriller to end Dockers unbeaten run

The headline act in Germany over the weekend saw the Berlin Crocodiles overcome a wayward Hamburg Dockers side in a match that more than lived up to the lofy pre-game expectations, with the final margin one solitary point in favour of the Crocs.

Berlin got the early jump on their previously unbeaten opponents and managed to lead at each change with the help of some inaccurate kicking in front of goal by the Dockers, who threw everything at the Crocs in the final term but were unable to crack the gallant defence.

Elsewhere in AFLG, the Munich Kangaroos landed a body blow to the Frankfurt Redbacks with a thumping win while the Rheinland Lions moved into the top four with a big win over the Dresden Wolves.

Final Scores:

Berlin Crocodiles 10.5 (65) def Hamburg Dockers 8.16 (64)

Dresden Wolves 4.8 (32) def by Rheinland Lions 16.18 (114)

Frankfurt Redbacks 3.7 (25) def by Munich Kangaroos 20.11 (131)

Berlin celebrates after their 1-point victory over Hamburg

 

Ireland

West Clare collect more silverware with Super 7’s victory

It was all about the girls in Ireland on Saturday as Round 4 of the ARFLI Super 7’s was held in Portlaoise, with the West Clare Waves coming out on top of all four of their fixtures to secure the title and add another trophy to their burgeoning collection.

Their path to victory was no cakewalk on a highly competitive day of football, with the Waves match-up against the Cork Vikings particularly a contest that was fit for any arena in world sport.

All sides who featured on the day were able to come away with at least one win, including the Portlaoise Pixies on their debut.

Final Scores:

Portlaoise Pixies 2.4 (16) def by Portadown Power 1.4.1 (35)

Cork Vikings 2.3 (15) def by West Clare Waves 5.2 (32)

Portadown Power 2.2 (14) def by Dublin Angels 6.3 (39)

Dublin Angels 1.1 (7) def by Portlaoise Pixies 4.1 (25)

Portadown Power 2.2 (14) def by Cork Vikings 7.3 (45)

West Clare Waves 6.6 (42) def Dublin Angels 0.1 (1)

 

England

Lionettes and Wildkittens salute as the Demons celebrate the Big Freeze in Style

Two fixtures of Women’s Premier Division football in London saw perennial contenders West London put in a strong performance to beat the South East London Giants by 26-points, whilst the North London Lions ensured they will hit next Saturday’s BCNA Ladies Day fixture with the Demon’s in hot form as they accounted for the Wimbledon Hawks.

The Demon’s Premier Girls may have had the bye this week but they remained in the thick of the action at Clapham Common on Saturday, as a big crowd gathered on a day where football almost an afterthought with the annual ‘Big Freeze at the C’ fixture.

The day was a huge success off the field in raising funds and awareness for the FightMND campaign, with results on field enhancing the mood of the home crowd as the men and women in red and blue claimed all four fixtures on the day.

Demons favourite Jarell Osei is chaired off after his final game for the Dees.

 

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Match Of The Round – CEAFL Tournament

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Central European nations combine for CEAFL Round One

It’s matchday one for the Central European Australian Football League (CEAFL) this Saturday, as six clubs from three nations converge on Zagreb for the first of two tournament days that will decide the premier for 2018.

The Sesvete Doubleblues, Zagreb Hawks, Styrian Downunderdogs, Prague Dragons, Zagreb Cvjetno Dockers & Velika Gorica Bombers will all feature on the day and be eager to get early wins on the board heading into the final CEAFL tournament in Prague on September 1st.

With an AFL Europe Champions League place on the line, the six clubs have been separated into two groups and will play off in a round robin format, with the top two sides from each pool progressing to the semi-finals.

The Dockers will be out to retain the CEAFL title in 2018

 

The 2017 champion Zagreb Cvjetno Dockers side will be confident of defending their title after toppling last season’s Croatian league winners Sesvete by 21-points in their most recent competitive hit-out, but Croatian Team Manager Ivan Molnar says he expects a highly competitive day of football across the board.

“All teams are looking forward to the tournament, Czechs and Austrians will try to surprise some of the Croatian teams and win the CEAFL for the first time. Croatian teams will continue their rivalries from national league and compete hard for the title,” Molnar said.

“All will benefit from the tournament because it serves as a solid preparation for Euro Cup, and of course, everyone will enjoy a good day of footy and a beer with friends afterwards!”

While Italy will be without representation in Zagreb on Saturday, Molnar says the CEAFL continues to gather momentum despite logistical difficulties, with Switzerland registering an interest in joining the competition in the future.

“The league is played in the format of tournaments because all the costs of travel and accommodation are covered by clubs alone so this is the only way it could be sustainable.”

Along with the CEAFL action, fans will get a chance to see the women of the Zagreb Panthers in action in an exhibition game played prior to the men’s semi-finals.

Groups

Group A: Sesvete Doubleblues, Zagreb Hawks and Styrian Downunderdogs.

Group B: Prague Dragons, Zagreb Cvjetno Dockers and Velika Gorica Bombers. 

 

Fixture

10:00 am – Blues v Hawks

10:40 am – Dragons v Dockers

11:20 am – Blues -v Dogs

12:00midday – Dragons v Bombers

12:40 pm – Hawks v Dogs

1:20 pm – Dockers v Bombers

2:00 pm – Panthers black v Panthers blue

2:50 pm – Semi-finals A1 v B2

3:30 pm – Semifinals B1 v A2

4:10 pm – Fifth place playoff

4:50 pm – Third place playoff 

5:30 pm – Final

European Championships 2019 Announcement

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London to host the European Championships in 2019

AFL Europe is thrilled to now be able to confirm the details for 2019’s premier international 18-a-side tournament, to be held in London from the 9th-12th October.

The three-day event will bring together international sides from around Europe for the continents feature triennial football showpiece, to be hosted by Great Britain in conjunction with the Wimbledon Hawks Football Club and AFL Europe.

Team GB celebrate after claiming the 2016 title

Great Britain Head Coach, Dean Thomas, says that the 2019 Championships shape to be the most keenly contested and anticipated footy event in Europe to date.

“London is the hub of footy in Europe and a fantastic city to be entertained in, and the European Championships are a must do event for any nation that harbours ambitions of playing in and doing well at the International Cup in 2020,” Thomas said.

“It is the benchmark competition for European nations outside of the International Cup, and with this advanced notice, we would hope and look forward to engaging with all eligible nations so that the best attendance is achieved,”

Games will be hosted across two venues at Wimbledon Park, including the affectionately named home of the Hawks, ‘The Nest,’ with Thomas saying that all parties will be seeking to “provide a venue, setting and atmosphere that befits a competition such as the European Championships.”

“The playing surface at Wimbledon is the best footy surface in the UK, with the size of the grounds creating open spaces that allows fast moving, end to end footy that is enjoyable to watch,” he said.

“I think all attending can expect a raucous atmosphere off field with plenty of on-field entertainment to match.”

The Irish Banshees and GB Swans will renew hostilities after a string of close matches in recent major tournaments

 

This announcement comes after last week’s confirmation that 2019’s showcase International 9-a-side event, the annual Euro Cup tournament, will be held in Norrtalje in Sweden.

AFL Europe General Manager, Ryan Davey, said that it was “a great thrill to be able to confirm these dates and locations so early to give all of the national teams the best possible chance of attending both events in the one calendar year.”

“As most know, hosting these events takes considerable time and effort and I applaud those who put their hand up to take on this responsibility. AFL Europe is confident both organising committees will do an exceptional job hosting these events,” Davey said.

“I would like to thank AFL Sweden and Team GB for their commitment to the growth of the game in Europe and indeed the events that they will now host. We are very excited to work alongside them to make these events a great success.”

 

European Championships 2019

18-a-side International Tournament

London, England

9th-12th October

Hosted by Great Britain with Wimbledon Hawks and in conjunction with AFL Europe

Riley Brettell – AFL Europe

Big Freeze at The ‘C

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The Big Freeze hits Clapham

All eyes will be on the MCG this Monday as Melbourne and Collingwood clash in the annual Queens Birthday ‘Big Freeze at the G’ blockbuster, but the chill is set to blow through London even earlier as the Wandsworth Demon’s host their 3rd annual ‘Big Freeze at the C’ event in support of the FightMND campaign this Saturday.

The fight against Motor Neuron Disease has gained significant momentum in recent years after AFL Legend, Neale Daniher, was diagnosed with the progressive illness in 2014.

With no cure currently known for the condition, Daniher has dedicated the rest of his life to raising awareness about what he calls “the beast”, rallying major support that has seen the FightMND foundation raise close to $20million (AUD) in under four years.

The Demons model the 2018 FightMND merchandise

His plight hit close to home for Wandsworth’s own Gaby Duncan, who came up with the idea for the Demon’s to support the foundation with an event similar to what was being run at the MCG by their Melbourne counterparts.

Demon’s President, Xavier Holland, said that the commitment from those within the club to supporting the cause along with some personal experiences ensured that the concept struck a chord with the whole community.

“One of the catalysts to the event back home was the diagnosis of Neale Daniher having MND, someone who Gaby was quite close with. From there it came to be known that many of our members have had friends or relatives suffer from the disease, so it quickly became something many of us became passionate about,” Holland said.

“Last year we had members address the club to give an insight as to what MND does and how important it is that more research is done to study it. This year we did the same as the cause and treatment of the disease is still somewhat of a mystery, it really helped for our members to understand the cause,”

“To stand in front of your peers and talk about something so personal was something that we all really valued.”

While Duncan leaving London recently has left a hole to fill with regards to putting the event together, Holland says that the Demons will still be pushing to eclipse last year’s donations tally of $12,000 AUD (£6,800)

“In the first year we raised about $3,000, the following year we raised over $12,000, which is a good indication of the effect this had on our club,” he said.

Three games of AFL London football between the Demons and London Swans will be the showpiece act on the day from 11:30 am, with action on the field supported by merchandise sales, raffles, a bake sale, the half-time exhibition match for the Clapham Cubs junior side, and the all-important ice dunking of all Wandsworth coaches.

Though perhaps more eagerly anticipated than any of that is the shaving of Demon, Alex ‘Tank’ McCormick’s two-year beard in support of the cause.

Holland said, “he resembles more birds nest than man, so that transformation should be fairly stunning.”

Riley Brettell – AFL Europe

Join the ‘Freeze Army’ and help the Demon’s crack the $12,000 figure in 2018 by donating HERE.

 

Belushi’s Presents: Player Spotlight – Clément Meyer

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Belushi’s Presents: Player Spotlight

Clément Meyer

Each week, AFL Europe in combination with Belushi’s will take a look at one of our star players competing in fixtures across the continent in Player Spotlight. 

Will Taylor – AFL Europe

 

Described by his captain as the most dedicated player he has ever met, Clément Meyer is one of the great contributors to Australian Football in Europe.

After discovering the sport through his sister who was living in Toulouse, Clément decided to go to his first AFL training 5 years ago with his now beloved ALFA Lions.

“I arrived there with no idea about how this sport looks like.”

“I discovered the rules with our Australian coach, Pedr and I fell straight in love of footy!”

His love affair with the game can be seen through the multiple tournaments and competitions he has participated in.

While regularly playing for the Lions in the CNFA, Clément first made his appearance on an international scale during the 2015 Euro Cup in Croatia.

“I played with Crusaders and it was a really amazing experience so I decided to go again in 2016 for the EC in Lisbon.”

“When you are a teammate of someone in Europe, even just for one game, you are teammates forever and it is exactly why I love playing Aussie Rules everywhere through Europe.”

 

 

In 2017, Clément made the move to Albania but he couldn’t find an Albanian team. Instead he managed to find a game with the Zagreb Hawks from Croatia and competed with the boys in the Croatian Cup earlier this year.

His last international tournament however was the 2018 AFL Europe Champions League where he had the chance to meet up with his former team mates in Amsterdam.

“It was again a crazy tournament for me and it was really funny to have the opportunity to play against some old teammates with who I played with in my past international experiences!”

With many matches comes many memories and that is certainly the case for the French star.

As a moment he believes is a highlight of his career, Clément recalls the 2017 Grand Final in the French Championship as a day he will never forget.

“After 4 years of existence, the club ALFA Lions (Lyon) finished 3 times at the bottom of the ladder, but in 2017, we won all our games and the team were clearly the best in France at this time.

“We arrived in Paris for the Final and the game was organised after a professional rugby game of Top14 (Stade Francais – Racing 92), in a rugby professional field.”

“What is better in your sporting life than entering a field with still 20,000 people in the stadium?”

“We had a big win by more than 60 points against the second best team in France in 2017.”

 

 

 

Now committed to his new life in Albania, Clément is working to progress the game throughout a nation that is foreign to Australian Football.

It’s a task that is without a doubt difficult for someone who is still relatively new to the country, but Clément still has hope that he can grow the sport in the Balkan region.

“Indeed it is what I had in mind before I came here.”

“In Albania and the Balkan countries, it’s already hard to find rugby teams so it will be even harder to find motivated people to try Aussie Rules.”

“But I am still working on that while trying to find Australians in the region or just people who already heard about AFL and would like to try it.”

“So if anyone reading this have some connections with Albania or friends there, let me know and let’s try to develop this sport in the Balkans!”

Forever contributing to both his clubs and the national teams he has represented, Clément has certainly had a profound influence growing Australian Football across the continent.

Is there someone at your club with an outstanding football story that deserves to be recognised? Get in touch, riley.brettell@afleurope.org

 

 

 

 

PSS Presents: Around the Grounds

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PSS Presents: Around the Grounds

Each week, AFL Europe will take a look at some of the football highlights around the continent in Around the Grounds presented by PSS International Removals. Here are the standout performances from the weekend’s action.

 

Will Taylor – AFL Europe

 

The Stockholm Dockers  women’s side put in a very good effort despite falling just short of the Port Malmö Lynx in the Swedish Cup

Dockers and Lynx reign supreme in Sweden

The Swedish Cup was a huge success for both the Norrtälje Dockers and Port Malmö Lynx.

In the stand alone fixture in the women’s competition, the hosts in Port Malmo were just too strong for a gritty Stockholm Dockers outfit. The game showcased some of the best players across Europe playing Australian Football and it was the Lynx who prevailed by seven points in a tight tussle.

 

 

The men’s competition featured the Dockers, Port Malmö Maulers and a combined Helsingborg Saints/Eksjö Bulldogs side.

While the mixed side was competitive, the Maulers and Dockers were the teams that faced off in the 2018 Grand Final.

In the group stage the Maulers got the better of the Dockers by just two points, but in the big dance the margin was reversed.

Leading by just three points at half time in the decider, the Dockers held their nerve and held their slender advantage to take the Swedish Cup in 2018.

Final Scores:

WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL: Port Malmö Lynx 5.5 (35) defeated Stockholm Dynamite 4.4 (28)

MEN’S: Port Malmö Maulers 6.3 (39) defeated Nörrtalje Dockers 6.1 (37)

Port Malmö Maulers 9.8 (62) defeated Helsingborg Saints/Eksjö Bulldogs 1.4 (10)

Nörrtalje Dockers 8.5 (53) defeated Helsingborg Saints/Eksjö Bulldogs 2.0 (12)

MEN’S GRAND FINAL: Nörrtalje Dockers 5.3 (33) defeated Port Malmö Maulers 5.1 (31)

 

 

Superb Southampton on top of the SEAFL

Two rounds down in the Southern England Australian Football League (SEAFL) and it’s looking like the Southampton Titans are the favourites to take out this year’s competition. Last weekend, the Portsmouth Pirates hosted Round 2 of the competition and put up a superb effort for a team returning to the SEAFL. They were able to secure their first win of the season over the Sussex Swans to climb off the bottom of the ladder. The standout performers however remained the Titans who managed 50-point and 23-point victories over the Pirates and Swans respectively.

 

 

 

 

Final Scores:

Southampton Titans 7.14 (56) defeated Sussex Swans 4.9 (33)

Southampton Titans 12.6 (78) defeated Portsmouth Pirates 3.10 (28)

Portsmouth Pirates 11.11 (77) defeated Sussex Swans 5.5 (35)

 

 

 

Croatia play host to Abu Dhabi in a cross-continental exhibition

After having a stellar season in the Middle East, the Abu Dhabi Falcons made their way over to Croatia to take on the local national team (Croatian Knights) in an international friendly last weekend. Leading into the Euro Cup for 2018, the game was perfect preparation for the Croatians as they vie to take the title in Cork later this year. The match was very entertaining with plenty of goals, tackles and high marks to celebrate. Battling through the harsh rain and lightning, the Croatian boys were able to handle a very impressive Falcons line-up to run away as 47-point victors in Zagreb.

 

Final Score:

Croatian Knights 15.14 (104) defeated Abu Dhabi Falcons 8.9 (57)

 

 

Devils down Delft in an inaugural Dutch derby

In Holland, The Delft Blues AFC played host to the Amsterdam Devils in the inaugural fixture between the two Dutch based Australian Football clubs. Amsterdam are always a tough fixture for any opposition, but the Blues didn’t let their reputation intimidate them. Despite coming up against the runners-up in the 2018 AFL Europe Champions League, the Blues put in a very respectable performance to fall short by 33-points against the highly skilled outfit.

Final Score:

Amsterdam Devils 17.8 (110) defeated Delft Blues AFC 12.5 (77)

 

 

 

Leaping Lionesses looking the goods in London

Back to back wins for the North London Lionesses have the talented women’s side making a move up the ladder in the AFL London Women’s Premiership competition.

Saturday’s commanding victory by 45-points against the South East London Giants has North London just behind the Wandsworth Demons in second position on the ladder. After the Demons and the Lions played a classic in Round 2 where Wandsworth prevailed by under a goal, it seems as if these sides are the two favourites to take their place in this season’s Grand Final.

Final Score:

North London Lionesses 7.5 (47) defeated South East London Giants 0.2 (2)

 

 

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Match Of The Round – Swedish Cup

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National bragging rights on the line in battle for the Swedish Cup

In what has already been a huge week for Australian Football in Sweden following the announcement of Norrtålje as the host city for Euro Cup 2019, Saturday’s Swedish Cup is set to add the icing on the cake as seven teams descend on Malmo for the men’s round robin tournament and winner takes all women’s match.

The annual competition brings together sides from right across Sweden, as well as the Oslo Crows of Norway, with teams battling it out for the title of the nation’s best club side in the event hosted by the Port Malmo Football Club.

As the 2018 hosts, the Port Malmo Maulers will be out to maximise their home ground advantage and stamp their authority on the men’s competition in their quest to add another Swedish Cup to the trophy cabinet after winning the event in 2015 and 2016. 

Having begun their DAFL season with three strong wins from their four outings, including a big win over Odense last Saturday, the Maulers bring in enviable form and shape up as a major threat once again in 2018, but will have to overcome a dangerous Norrtålje Dockers line-up that is chocked full of Swedish national team talent and loom as a key contender.

The Dockers head into the tournament as one of the key contenders

The day will also see the clash of two sides at either end of the football spectrum in Sweden, as the nation’s oldest and newest football clubs go head to head when the Helsingborg Saints face the relative new boys of the Eksjo Bulldogs.

Rounding out the men’s tournament are the Oslo Crows, who have tasted Swedish Cup glory before when winning the competition in 2014, and after losing in last years final, the Crows will be out to give KB & The Doc something else to talk about by going one better in 2018.

The Oslo Crows, pictured at Champions Leauge 2018, have gained a cult following on Melbourne radio.

The women’s title will be decided by the full-length matchup between the Port Malmo Lynx, who impressed at the recent AFL Europe Champions League tournament in Amsterdam, and the newly formed Stockholm women’s side who enter their first Swedish Cup, with this game taking on extra interest with national team places up for grabs.

The women of the Port Malmo Lynx will be out to go back-to-back on Saturday.

Follow all the Swedish Cup action throughout the day via AFL Sweden on Facebook