BY JANA McCABE
AUSTRALIAN football is growing from strength to strength in Northern Ireland with the league hoping to expand and looking for new players to take part within the league.
Currently there are teams in Belfast and Dungannon, with Queens University also having a side.
The Belfast team was founded in 2021 and is called the East Coast Eagles Belfast, named after the Australian football team the West Coast Eagles. Meanwhile the Dungannon side, formed in 2022, is called the Oilean Hounds.
The East Coast Eagles and the Oilean Hounds compete against each other in a winter league, with the goal to expand this league to more teams within Northern Ireland.
Then both the teams merge to make the Ulster Kookaburras, the team from Ulster who compete in a summer league against other sides from the island of Ireland including teams from Dublin, Cork and Galway.
The Kookaburras were founded in 2010 and are the oldest AFLW team in Europe. The growth of Aussie rules began in the 1990s thanks to people moving from Australia to European cities and tourists with the men’s league well established around the continent.
Even though none of the players within the teams are from Australia, five women from Northern Ireland have moved Down Under to play Aussie Rules, one of who now plays professionally for the Gold Coast Suns (Clara Fitzpatrick, from County Down).
“It’s a sport that’s definitely expanding in Europe. It had a lot of momentum before COVID and we’re trying to keep that momentum going now we’re back playing.” Celina Gratton, part of AFL Northern Ireland Women’s Development team, stated.
As the interest in the sport has increased, they recently set up a national team, who compete in international competitions like the EuroCup.
The EuroCup, which occurs every year, will take place in Germany in October with trails taking place at the minute to be one of the 16 players who will travel and represent Northern Ireland.
Last year the Ulster Machas finished fifth out of nine teams.
“We want to place higher than fifth, I think we have it in us. We had a few new players join us over the winter and some really skilled and dedicated girls so the goal is definitely to beat our old ranking,” Gratton added.
“Typically, the Irish teams do well as they have some strong recruits from within a gaelic background and they are pretty similar.
“The rules are almost exactly the same, but a change is the ball is a different shape, like a rugby ball but with smooth leather so not as rough as a rugby ball.
“It is a contact sport, so you’re allowed to tackle the person with the ball and completely tackle them to the ground. The tackles are very safe and there are very strict rules around how you’re allowed to tackle.
“Otherwise similarly to gaelic, you’re not allowed to throw the ball, but you’re allowed to hand pass it by punching it and can kick it. There are no solos, but you can bounce it like in gaelic football.”
“In the next five years we want to have four teams set up in Northern Ireland, four strong teams that are developed and have enough players to fully participate in the winter leagues. We want to make the top three at a EuroCup as well.”
If you are interested in giving Aussie Rules a try or have experience and want to get involved, see the details for clubs below. No experience necessary and it is an inclusive social side and a great way to meet new people, with lots of social events.
Instagram:
@afl_northernireland
@ulster_kookaburras
Contact number:
+44 7564 845204
