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| ==AFL Canada== | ==AFL Canada== | ||
| ] was formed as governing body on July 30, 2004 when the Canadian Australian Football League changed its official name. The move corresponded with funding from the ], and junior participation program was put in place. The clubs were split into 2 regional based leagues, the ] and the ]. The remaining ] based clubs participate in AFL |
] was formed as governing body on July 30, 2004 when the Canadian Australian Football League changed its official name. The move corresponded with funding from the ], and junior participation program was put in place. The clubs were split into 2 regional based leagues, the ] and the ]. The remaining ] based clubs participate in AFL Canada organised regional conferences such as the British Columbia Cup. | ||
| In 2005 the Northwind participated in the 2005 International Cup. | In 2005 the Northwind participated in the 2005 International Cup. | ||
Revision as of 00:48, 3 May 2006
Australian Rules Football is a sport played in Canada. The sport has been relatively recently introduced to the country through a series of exhibition matches which began in 1987 and has since grown quickly into a number of competitive leagues.
History of Australian Football in Canada
Exhibition Matches
Between 1987 and 1989, the Australian Football League staged several exhibition matches in Canada since 1987, attracting large crowds and much interest. The 1987 game holds the record for a VFL/AFL match held outside of Australia.
| Year | Location | Stadium | Teams | Crowds |
| 1987 | Vancouver | Melbourne v. Nth Melbourne | 7,980 | |
| 1987 | Vancouver | B.C Place | Melbourne v. Sydney | 32,789 |
| 1987 | Vancouver | Collingwood v. Hawthorn | ||
| 1988 | Toronto | Varsity Stadium | Collingwood v. Hawthorn | 18,500 |
| 1989 | Toronto | Toronto Skydome | Essendon v. Hawthorn | 24,639 |
Source International Australian Football Council
Television Coverage
In the late 1980s, regional ESPN broadcasts in Canada showed highlights of the Victorian Football League from Australia. Currently it is shown on Fox Sports World Canada
The First League
The Canadian Australian Football League was established in May 1989 when two clubs the Mississauga Mustangs and the Toronto Panthers were formed and played in the inaugural Conacher Cup game in Toronto, Ontario. Since then, the game of Australian football in Canada has expanded to include thirteen clubs (including a ten team league in Ontario), a junior development program, and a national team.
In 1990, the Scarborough Rebels, the North York Hawks and the Hamilton Wildcats joined, with the Balmy Beach Saints coming on board in 1992. The North York Hawks later relocated and became known as the Broadview Hawks.
The Brampton Wolverines, the league's seventh team, were formed in 1993. The Scarborough Rebels relocated and became the Lawrence Park Rebels.
Early International Success
In 1993, Canadian representative team, known as the Northwind, beat a British (BARFL) representative team.
In 1994 and 1995, the Canadians again defeated the British at home.
Modern Competition
In 1995, several games were broadcast on a Hamilton cable TV channel.
In July of 1995, the Hamilton Wildcats played a Canadian All-Star team in front of 21,000 fans during the half-time break at a Canadian Football League (gridiron) match.
In 1999, the first USA v Canada game was played 49th Parallel Cup (named after the 49th parallel north). The Revolution narrowly defeated Team Canada (Northwind). Later matches enforced strict rules based on player origins.
In 2002, Canada participated in the inuagural Australian Football International Cup, Canada represented by the Northwind team consisting purely of Canadian born players.
In 2003, the first ever junior league in Canada, the North Delta Junior Australian Football League was formed.
AFL Canada
AFL Canada was formed as governing body on July 30, 2004 when the Canadian Australian Football League changed its official name. The move corresponded with funding from the Australian Football League, and junior participation program was put in place. The clubs were split into 2 regional based leagues, the Ontario Australian Football League and the North West Pacific Football League. The remaining Alberta based clubs participate in AFL Canada organised regional conferences such as the British Columbia Cup.
In 2005 the Northwind participated in the 2005 International Cup.
In early 2006, AFL Canada sent a small delegate to the AFL exhibition match in Los Angeles.
By 2006, there were over 420 senior Australian Rules Football players in Canada, an increase of 25% from 2005 .