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Australian rules football in Africa

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The South African Lions in action against Ireland during the 2008 Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne

Australian rules football in Africa is most organised in South Africa, although there are programs under development in many African nations including Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe and there are plans to introduce the sport into more African countries.

Immigration to Australia saw a rise in the number of Africans playing in the Australian Football League, among the first were African-Americans like Tom Banks and South Africans including Aubrey MacKenzie and Damien Cupido.

Kevin Sheedy predicted an African future for the AFL when he recruited Ethiopian Goaner Tutlan in 2004. The success of Majak Daw saw a rise in the popularity of AFL among South Sudanese migrants[1] which have attracted the attention of AFL recruiters in search for the combination of height and athleticism.[2] An increasing number of players descended from the Indigenous peoples of Africa have played professionally in the Australian Football League, holding African Australian identity. Tall Sudanese players are now sought by AFL recruiters to fill key positions including the ruck.[3]

Botswana

[edit]

The government of Botswana approached the AFL in 2009 with a view to extending the FootyWILD program from South Africa across the border into Botswana. Australian football in South Africa began in the North West Province, an area bordering Botswana and with numerous cultural, linguistic and historical ties to the neighboring country.[4]

Ethiopia

[edit]

While the sport hasn't been played in Ethiopia, the country is notable for producing AFL players from the migrant community in Australia.

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Ethiopia, References
Tew Jiath 2024- 1 0 Born[5]
Josh Draper 2024- 11 0 Mother[6]
Changkuoth Jiath 2018- 45 2 Born Mekelle[7]
Goaner Tutlan 2004 - - Born[8]

Egypt

[edit]

Australian rules football was played by the ANZACs in Egypt during World War I. The sport has since been revived by Australian expats, with an Auskick program being started in Cairo.[9] The Australian Embassy in Cairo has backed the program.[10]

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Egypt, References
James Borlase 2023- 1 0 Born Cairo[11][12]
Mac Andrew 2022- 10 0 Born Cairo[13]
Ahmed Saad 2012-2015 33 48 Parents[14]

Ghana

[edit]

Australian football was played on a non-organised level in Ghana in 2007, where traveling Australians played with children.[15]

In early 2009, AFL club the Western Bulldogs announced that they were in talks with Azumah Nelson regarding the introduction of Australian rules football at the Azumah Nelson Foundation (AZNEF) Sports Academy.[16] Nelson was quoted as saying "Once we become familiar with handling the oval shaped ball, I am sure that Ghana will produce many champions for the AFL Clubs in Australia"[17] The Bulldogs also stated that they may travel to Ghana to visit the AZNEF Sports Academy in future.[17]

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Ghana, References
Brandon Walker 2021- 37 1 Born[18]
Connor Idun 2019- 39 0 Father[19]
Isaac Quaynor 2019- 71 3 Father[20][21]
Joel Amartey 2018- 17 16 Father[22]

Kenya

[edit]

There have been efforts to start the sport at junior level since 2004.[23] Gus Horsey from the Baltimore Washington Eagles from the United States Australian Football League visited the country in February and September, running several footy clinics and organising a grand final between four local teams in Nairobi. During Horsey's second visit to Kenya to coach Australian rules, he regularly trained over 100 children after school with help from local soccer coaches,[24] although plans through USFooty Kids to continue the clinics in the future did not go ahead.

The AFL reported in 2009 that junior clinics were being conducted in Kenya under the same model as FootyWILD in South Africa.[4]

In 2015, schoolboys international matches were held on the Kenya-Tanzania border.[25]

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Kenya, References
Sebit Kuek 2022-2024 0 0 Born[26]
Elaine Grigg 2024- 3 0 Born[27]
Leek Aleer 2022- 3 0 Born[28]
Bigoa Nyuon 2022-2024 4 0 Born Nairobi[29]
Sophie McDonald 2020- 26 0 Parent[30]
Tony Olango 2017 - - Born[31]
Aliir Aliir 2014- 114 5 Born Kakuma[32]

Malawi

[edit]

Educaring Africa ran clinics Ntakataka Village in Monkey Bay in 2019.[33]

Nigeria

[edit]

While the sport hasn't been played in Nigeria, some AFL players from the migrant community in Australia have strong connections to the country.

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Nigeria, References
Stefan Okunbor 2023- - - Parents[30]
Joel Wilkinson 2011-2013 26 1 Father[34]

Senegal

[edit]

Australian rules football was played sporadically in Senegal during the 1990s, after Darwin-based Mark Moretti visited Dakar for two months in 1991. Moretti had introduced the sport to local children originally as an example of overseas culture, but there was interest from both the children and some local soccer administrators in continuing the sport. When Moretti returned in 1997 there had not been any progress, so he organised some footballs and other material to be sent to Senegal and the country was represented at the International Australian Football Council AGM in Darwin in 1999.[35] Around this time, two teams were established, named the Crocodiles and the Hares, but the sport has since disappeared in the country.

A team representing Senegal appeared at the "World 9s" in Catalonia in 2008, consisting of Senegalese nationals resident in Spain and competing in the Catalan AFL.

Collingwood FC recruited 202cm Senegalese basketballer Bassirou Faye as an international rookie in 2021.

South Africa

[edit]
Main article: Australian rules football in South Africa
South African premiership player Jason Johannisen

The Witwatersrand Gold Rush brought miners from Australia to South Africa and records indicate that it was played from the 1880s to 1909 and was for a time during 1904, the most popular football code in the colony. It was reintroduced by the Australian Defence Force in 1997 and in the 2000s became one of the fastest growing places for the sport outside of Australia, becoming widely played in the North West Province with tens of thousands of players. The governing body is AFL South Africa. Prominent South African born AFL players include Damian Cupido and Jason Johannisen.

Sudan

[edit]

While the sport hasn't been played in Sudan, the country is notable for producing AFL players from the migrant community in Australia.

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Sudan, References
Domanic Akuei 2022- - - Born[36]
Bigoa Nyuon 2022-2024 4 0 Parents[37]
Mac Andrew 2022- 10 0 Parents[38]
Tarir Bayok 2020 - - Born[39]
Buku Khamis 2019- 9 6 Born[40]
Tony Olango 2017 - - Parents[41]
Majak Daw 2011-2022 54 43 Born Khartoum[42]

South Sudan

[edit]

While the sport hasn't been played in South Sudan, the country is notable for producing many AFL players from the migrant community in Australia. A team representing South Sudan has won the World 9s twice most recently in 2021.[43]

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to South Sudan, References
Sebit Kuek 2022-2024 0 0 Born[44]
Tew Jiath 2024- 1 0 Parents[45]
Bigoa Nyuon 2022-2024 4 0 Parents[46]
Mac Andrew 2022- 10 0 Parents[47]
Leek Aleer 2022- 3 0 Parents[28]
Martin Frederick 2021- 14 2 Parents[48]
Michael Frederick 2020- 48 58 Parents[48]
Tom Jok 2019- 1 0 Born Nasir[49]
Changkuoth Jiath 2018- 45 2 Parents[50]
Akec Makur Chuot 2017- 33 2 Born Yirol[51]
Mabior Chol 2016- 56 75 Born[52]
Reuben William 2016-2017 3 0 Born Wau[53]
Gach Nyuon 2016-2017 - - Born, parents[54]
Aliir Aliir 2014- 114 5 Parents[55]

Uganda

[edit]

Non-organised Australian football at junior level featuring locals has been played in Uganda in 2006.[56]

Western Sahara

[edit]

Australian football was played on an informal basis in Western Sahara in 2008.[57]

Zimbabwe

[edit]

The sport of Australian rules football is[when?] in its early stages of development in Zimbabwe,[58] with Australian Football Zimbabwe[58] in the planning stage, with its main aims being to combine Aussie rules football as a developing sport, with health clinics and information sessions to be run to assist disadvantaged and sick children.

In 2020, AFL Zimbabwe was formed as the governing body for the sport in Zimbabwe.[59]

Notable players

[edit]
Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Zimbabwe, References
Tendai Mzungu 2011-2017 105 55 Father[60]
Ian Perrie 1998-2007 116 129 Born

Other AFL nationalities

[edit]

An increasing number of players descended from the Indigenous peoples of Africa have played professionally in the Australian Football League, holding African Australian identity. The successful career of Majak Daw in the AFL is credited as having inspired many children from the South Sudanese migrant community in Australia to take up the sport.[61]

Player AFL/AFLW Years* AFL/AFLW Matches* AFL/AFLW Goals* Connections to Africa, References
Héritier Lumumba 2005-2016 223 30 Congolese-Angolan father[62]

Team Africa at the International Cup

[edit]

A team known as Team Africa, drawn from various Melbourne African communities, competed in the 2008 Australian Football International Cup's Multicultural Challenge, playing matches against South Africa, Tonga and an Asian community side dubbed Team Asia.[63]

Team Africa's players were from countries including Somalia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Djibouti.[63]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Daw-inspiring feats bring Sudan into the heart of Aussie sport The Australian 20 Apr 2013
  2. ^ Neil Cordy for Code Sports 24 October 2022
  3. ^ ‘I’ve only been here four years and I’m better than you!’ How South Sudanese players are enriching the AFL By Greg Baum 28 May 2022
  4. ^ a b "FootyWILD set to take Africa by storm? - World Footy News". WorldFootyNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Culture, food at Dad's and defensive one on ones: Jiath and Quaynor's special bond". collingwoodfc.com.au. Collingwood Football Club. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  6. ^ WAFC. "AFL DRAFT GURU RATES LEADING WA CONTENDERS - TALL DEFENDERS". West Australian Football League. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Hawks debutant 'rattled' after getting call-up". The West Australian. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Ethiopian hopes to make mark for Africa - World Footy News". WorldFootyNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  9. ^ "AFL revival in Egypt century after Anzacs". 17 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Australian Embassy in Cairo Gets Footys into Egypt - World Footy News".
  11. ^ James BORLASE from Adelaide Crows
  12. ^ Crows' Next Generation Academy prospect James Borlase from The Advertiser 3 December 2020
  13. ^ Suns to unleash the Mac attack: Prized No.5 pick to debut By Callum Twomey 28 July 2022
  14. ^ Ahmed Saad. "Ahmed Saad". saints.com.au. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  15. ^ "West African kids kick the Aussie Footy in soccer's heartland - World Footy News". WorldFootyNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Ghana and Azumah Nelson look to AFL and Bulldogs - World Footy News". WorldFootyNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  17. ^ a b Bulldogs look to forge ties in Ghana – Herald Sun
  18. ^ "Fremantle Dockers NGA players". fremantlefc.com.au. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  19. ^ Cool Connor standing out down back from the Geelong Advertiser 12 July 2018
  20. ^ A taste of Richmond, but Collingwood looms for Quaynor by Daniel Cherny for The Age 16 November 2018
  21. ^ ‘Not OK’: Collingwood seek to correct dearth of Indigenous players by Michael Gleeson for The Age 1 February 2021
  22. ^ "How racial abuse led Joel Amartey to his AFL debut". Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  23. ^ Aussie Rules International – Kenya Archived 9 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Footy a welcome hit in Kenya - World Footy News". WorldFootyNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  25. ^ Dust to dust: footy takes off in Africa Conor Walsh on Aug 23, 2015
  26. ^ De Haer, Katie (24 July 2020). "Sebit's journey to the Royals". eastperthfc.com.
  27. ^ 'I just love footy': Kenyan-born talent relishing junior opportunities By Sarah Black 3 July 2023
  28. ^ a b "Leek Aleer". gwsgiants.com.au. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  29. ^ Mum's journey inspires Sudanese refugee Biggie Nyuon towards AFL dream Sean Sowerby 7NEWS 20th November 2019
  30. ^ a b "2021 AFL Players Association Multicultural Map". AFLPA. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  31. ^ Opposites attract for Kenyan-born ruck talent By Marc McGowan 27 November 2017
  32. ^ "Aliir's incredible journey from Kakuma to AFL". ESPN.com. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  33. ^ Educaring Africa – Kicking Goals in Malawi 14 November 2019
  34. ^ "Joel Wilkinson still making his stand against racism - AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  35. ^ Footy Kicks Off in West Africa Archived 9 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Sudan, Egypt, Carlton: Why Dom is always daring to dream By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media 24 May 2023
  37. ^ Mum's journey inspires Sudanese refugee Biggie Nyuon towards AFL dream Sean Sowerby 7NEWS 20th November 2019
  38. ^ Suns to unleash the Mac attack: Prized No.5 pick to debut By Callum Twomey 28 July 2022
  39. ^ Tarir Bayok West Coast Eagles draftee
  40. ^ Dinham, Abby (2 May 2017). "From South Sudanese refugee to the 2018 AFL draft: Buku Khamis is making his mark". SBS World News. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  41. ^ Opposites attract for Kenyan-born ruck talent By Marc McGowan 27 November 2017
  42. ^ McFarlane, Glenn (20 February 2011). "Majak Daw's big move". Sunday Herald Sun. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  43. ^ South Sudan AFL International
  44. ^ De Haer, Katie (24 July 2020). "Sebit's journey to the Royals". eastperthfc.com.
  45. ^ "Culture, food at Dad's and defensive one on ones: Jiath and Quaynor's special bond". collingwoodfc.com.au. Collingwood Football Club. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  46. ^ Mum's journey inspires Sudanese refugee Biggie Nyuon towards AFL dream Sean Sowerby 7NEWS 20th November 2019
  47. ^ Suns to unleash the Mac attack: Prized No.5 pick to debut By Callum Twomey 28 July 2022
  48. ^ a b Leonard, Owen (30 April 2021). "Family and football in Frederick Brothers' DNA". fremantlefc.com.au. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  49. ^ Rookie pick: Tom Jok By Julian Trantino for Essendon FC 23 November 2018
  50. ^ "Hawks debutant 'rattled' after getting call-up". The West Australian. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  51. ^ Fee, Tom. "Meet Freo's most unlikely footballer". Freemantle Dockers website. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  52. ^ Quayle, Emma (1 July 2014). "From Sudan to the AFL: three teenagers hoping to make the big time". The Age. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  53. ^ Wiles, Andrew (11 November 2015). "13 days until draft: Reuben William". AFLQ.com.au. Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  54. ^ Sudanese rookie marks new era for Essendon 22 December 2015
  55. ^ "Aliir's incredible journey from Kakuma to AFL". ESPN.com. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  56. ^ "Footy Shorts - Footy in Uganda ? - World Footy News". WorldFootyNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  57. ^ "Aussie Rules in Western Sahara - World Footy News". WorldFootyNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  58. ^ a b "zimfooty.com - Registered at Namecheap.com". ZimFooty.com. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  59. ^ "Zimbabwe Footy Rising Above Challenges - World Footy News".
  60. ^ Who is… Tendai Mzungu?
  61. ^ Daw-inspiring feats bring Sudan into the heart of Aussie sport The Australian 20 Apr 2013
  62. ^ Gleeson, Michael (12 February 2008). "African journey helps O'Brien". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
  63. ^ a b "Australian Football International Cup 2008 – Official tournament program" (PDF). AFL.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
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