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AFL Europe works with DFAT to empower Women and Girls through Aussie Rules.

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The AFL footprint is extending beyond the shores of Australia at a rapid rate. Port Adelaide’s partnership in China, Europe’s continual growth in participation and the array of countries embracing Aussie Rules are increasing at a rapid rate. Countries as remote and varied as Palestine and Malta are jumping on board expanding the AFL bubble further outside of Australia.

On the 3rd of June in Palestine, The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) hosted a ‘Young Women’s Sports Day’ in the capital of Ramallah. The Australian Representative Office (ARO) in Ramallah, in cooperation with the Palestinian Olympic Committee and the Higher Council for Youth and Sport, organised the day which was attended by 11 to 16-year-old girls. AFL Europe collaborated with DFAT by sending every girl home with an Auskick pack and ball.

With expectations set at 100 girls attending, the organising committee was amazed to have 150 keen and excited participants. Girls from villages, refugee camps and sporting clubs in the West Bank area were in attendance; being even more impressive considering the mercury reached a top of 34 degrees.

Aussie Rules was a hit amongst all 150 Palestinian girls as they were put through the paces with some kicking and handballing drills before they went into a free-for-all match, with everyone joining in the fun.

The footies and Auskick packs were much appreciated souvenirs for the girls and will act as reminders of the amazing day they had learning Australia’s Game. No doubt they be making appearances around Ramallah in the near future.

Marcia Pius, Head of Office at the ARO, commented that they were “very proud to share our love of sport with the Palestinian girls, and hopes to build on our cooperation with Palestinian sports institutions and the broader community in future events”.

A enormous thank you goes to Marcia Pius, Lima Anfous, and Amani Hato in the Palestinian DFAT office for ensuring Australian Rules featured in such an amazing initiative. It was a pleasure to be able to assist in the delivery of such a special day for so many girls in Ramallah.

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Benjamin Durance

Movember Cup 2015

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On the 15th of November the Manchester Mosquitoes host a charity Aussie Rules tournament at Trafford MV Rugby Club. The Nathan Blakey Movember Cup is held annually in support of the Movember Foundation raising funds for men’s illnesses, in particular  prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issues. The first tournament was held in 2011 and has been growing year on year raising around £10,000  for charity so far.

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The week before the first event, Nathan Blakey, a member of the Manchester Mosquitoes ARFC, passed away during complex surgery at the age of 28. Nathan had been part of the Mozzies since the clubs first season and was part of their 2010 premiership team. He was known for his down to earth, friendly nature and his love of the footy. He played, umpired, helped coach and loved a beer. He was a paramedic so would often be sorting himself out after matches whenever he took a hit. He is greatly missed. With his passing the week before the first Movember Cup it was decided to play the tournament in honour of Nathan. It seemed a fitting gesture to remember him in this way considering his love of football and his commitment to developing the game.

The Nathan Blakey Movember Cup is about to be held for the 5th year and we are looking forward to raising funds in support of men’s health and raising a glass in honour of our mate.

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Nathan. 14/02/1983 – 19/11/2011

Always well attended by AFLCNE Clubs, we hope as many players, spectators and supporters can come along and be involved to raise money to make it as big a success as possible. If you can’t make it but still want to contribute you can donate at the following link:

Mozzies Movember Page

If you want to help or be involved with the tournament contact Ben Sweetman email:president@manchestermosquitoes.com.

In the build-up to this years Movember cup here at the Central and Northern England Australian Football League we’ll be taking a look at some of the Men’s health issues you’ll be raising money for and how our clubs are helping to raise awareness.

 

Originally posted by the Manchester Mosquitoes at: http://aflcne.com/2015/10/31/the-nathan-blakey-memorial-movember-cup/

The Axios Euro Cup will be held in…

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 Umag!

It’s with great enthusiasm that AFL Europe, with the help of the Croatian Australian Football League (SANH), are thrilled to announce the location for 2015 Axios Euro Cup is the beautiful town of Umag!

The Axios Euro Cup is being held on the 10th October 2015 in Umag, which is located in Istra, the coastal region of Croatia. Taking place in the resort that also plays host to the annual ATP Croatia Tournament, the Cup promises a well organised, cheap and warm weekend. With special Euro Cup accommodation and being accessible from three airports under an hour and a half drive and the alternate option of hiring a car and driving from Italy or Slovenia, the 2015 Axios Euro Cup will be affordable for all.

Further information will be supplied in the coming weeks so stay tuned!

 

 

Sarah Ongarello

AFL Europe Championship – Day 2

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For this second day of the AFL Europe Championship, all the teams had something to prove. Day 1 produced very tight results, the successful teams wanting to keep their positions at the top of the tables.

AFL Europe Media – Kieran Harte

Swedish Elks vs Croatia Knights

Sweden has kept their tournament hopes alive after overcoming Croatia in round 2 of the 2013 AFL Europe Championship at Dublin’s DCU Sportsground today.

The win leaves Sweden with one win and one loss to date, after succumbing to Ireland on Saturday.  This win was set up by Sweden’s skilful midfield, with Natis Johansson, Emil Aberg and Johan Lantz all putting in strong performances and winning much of the ball.

Sweden’s backline also held up well against a tall and physically strong Croatian forward line with Irish born Tony McLoughlin superbly marshalling the troops.  The sheer force of Croatian big men Tomislav Cvetko, Tomislav Marsic and Ivan Ivos threatened to tear the game open at stages, but Sweden were able to maintain their composure when Croatia came within a goal late in the last quarter.

There were chances for both teams at the end to win the match before Swedish ruckman David Wahlberg received a free kick for a push in the back inside his own 50 metre zone.  He coolly slotted through the goal from 45 metres out to give Sweden a nine point lead before the final siren sounded.

Final Score:

Sweden: 5.11.41

Croatia: 5.2.32

Goals:

Sweden: Verngren 2, Blondeau, Johansson, Wahlberg

Croatia: Cvetko 2, Molnar, Jospivic, Kravar

Best Players:

Sweden: Aberg, Johansson, Lantz

Croatia: Habljak, Lenic, Cvetko

 

GB Bulldogs vs Germany Black Eagles

Great Britain has announced itself as a team to be reckoned with in the 2013 AFL Europe Championships after a scintillating 51 point win over Germany.  The performance featured match winners all over the ground for the GB Bulldogs, with none better than Anthony Trigg and Sean Walton who worked together to win clearance after clearance.

Helping the dominant midfield convert the opportunities was Chris James who managed to kick a tournament high four goals in the match.  He was assisted by the other forwards in Sam Willatt, David Saunders and Mark Todd who made the most of their opportunities.

Great Britain’s defence was also dominant, with strong efforts by Inti Arburo, Mark Ireland and Ollie Dilieto rebounding the ball time after time.  The strong defensive efforts of GB’s midfield were also noticeable, led by Mark Ireland, Owain Ryland and Mark Todd.

Germany now find themselves with two losses from two games and are no chance of reaching the Grand Final.  They had courageous performances from players Florian Naumann, Johannes Sartory and Matthias Klusemann, but were soundly beaten by Great Britain’s better use of the football and efficiency when going forward.

Final Score:

Great Britain: 9.12.66

Germany: 2.3.15

Goals:

Great Britain: James 4, Saunders 2, McNicholas, Todd, Harris

Germany:  Jung, Klusemann

Best Players:

Great Britain: Walton, Trigg, Ryland, Dilieto, James

Germany: Naumann, Sartory, Cordts

 

Irish Warriors vs Denmark Vikings

Ireland has secured a remarkable come from behind victory against Denmark in the second round of the 2013 AFL Europe Championship to have them one win away from the grand final.  Two freakish snap goals from Brian Roche and some heroics from James Flavin and John O’Regan in the last quarter saw Ireland overcome a four goal deficit.

Denmark had been the better team for much of the match and had managed to open up and maintain a handy lead against the Irish until late in the game.  Matthias Biron was everywhere for the losing side and couldn’t have done much more to drag his countrymen across the line.  He was well supported by Christopher Campion, Mikkel Kjoge and William Andersen who were all finding space and showing superior kicking skills to Ireland’s on ball brigade.

Up by 15 points at the last change, it looked like Denmark would be too poised to allow Ireland back into the game.  Campion had an opportunity to stretch the lead even further but missed and then suddenly Brian Roche had kicked two remarkable snap goals to have Ireland back in the game.

It was James Flavin who had been one of Ireland’s best players throughout the match who kicked the goal to put Ireland in front with less than a minute to go.  A goal on the siren to Paul O’Halloran flattered the final margin for Ireland who ran out eventual 10 point winners in the most entertaining match of the championship to date.

Thursday will now see Ireland play Croatia in the final round at 7pm, in a match that will send them directly through to the grand final if they win.

In the other games for the day, Sweden put their round one loss to Ireland behind them by defeating Croatia.  Great Britain overcame Germany to put them through to their first major international tournament final after other results from their group went their way.

If Ireland can overcome the Croatians this Thursday it will lead to a mouth-watering grand final with Great Britain.

Round 3 – 2013 AFL Europe Championship   –  Thursday August 8th

3pm:  Germany v Denmark

5pm: Sweden v Great Britain

7pm: Ireland v Croatia

 

Final Score:

Ireland: 7.7.49

Denmark: 6.3.39

Goals:

Ireland: Flavin 3, Roche 2, McCloskey, O’Halloran

Denmark:  Soerensen, Ottesen, Starbaek Nielsen, Andersen, C Campion, Mau Rose