Aussie Rules in UK schools

Last year nearly 6000 school kids in the UK put down their soccer balls and gave Aussie Rules a go thanks to Aussie Rules UK. Aussie Rules UK was established to promote and develop Australian football in the UK. It is running Auskick programmes, in school coaching sessions, and Aussie Rules spring and summer leagues in London.

Aussie Rules has proven popular and schools such as Carshalton Boys Sports College in London and the Trinity School in Nottingham are developing their own local competitions.

The game being taught in the UK can be played on a soccer or rugby field and has modified rules – with 9 people a side, a player is tackled or dispossessed of the ball when he/she is touched by an opponent – they then have 3 seconds to dispose of the ball by handpassing or kicking.

In August this year, the Great Britain Bulldogs, the national Aussie Rules team, will head to Melbourne to compete against 16 nations for the AFL International Cup.

A fundraising night will be held on 3 June, 2008. All 16 AFL clubs and a number of Australian celebrities have donated signed jumpers and other items and attendees will have the opportunity to bid for these via silent auction at the magnificent Victoria House building, the home of Sport England. If you would like to attend the evening, talk football and sample a few Aussie beers, wines and pies go to www.aussierulesuk.com/under16/fundraising.php

If you are unable to attend the event but would still like to support the Bulldogs, you can do so via our Ten Pound Pom scheme. See http://www.aussierulesuk.com/under16/tenpoundpom.php for more info.