World Footy News

The British Australian Rules Football League (BARFL) was formed in May 1990 with eight competing clubs: Wandsworth Demons, Earl's Court 'Roos, West London Wildcats, London Hawks, North London Lions, East Midland Eagles, Lea Valley Saints and Thames Valley Magpies.

The AFL provided initial support for clubs in the shape of team uniforms and footballs, and several clubs were able to secure sponsorship deals to assist them to consolidate.

1991 saw the Bristol Bears and Sussex Swans join the League, followed by the Liverpool Blues and Birmingham Crows in 1992. The first international matches were played against Canada and Hong Kong a year later.

Prior to the start of the 1994 season there was a major development in the form of the appointment by BARFL of a paid General Manager, Greg Everett. Unfortunately, aspiring new club Irish Rovers withdrew from the competition on the eve of the first round, and the Liverpool Blues also disbanded.

The first international match between Great Britain and Denmark was played in London with the BARFL scoring an emphatic 90 point win. The Danes gained conclusive revenge a year later when they won by 68 points in Copenhagen.

The London Hawks hat-trick of premierships from 1993 to 1995 was followed by a double to the Wandsworth Demons in 1996 and 1997. After losing five grand finals from as many attempts, the West London Wildcats finally broke through for their long awaited first flag in 2000.

Former West Coast, Fitzroy and Brisbane player Mark Zanotti arrived in London in February 1999 and was keen to get involved. He was appointed CEO of the BARFL and his high profile was a great boost to the code. Zanotti also started a new team, the London Gryphons. They were joined by a second new team, the Clapham Demons.

The 2000 season saw a new exhibition match take place at Holland Park in West London named the Federation Cup. This was a match organized in conjunction with the Australian High Commission with the "Australian Dreaming" exhibition taking place throughout the summer - an exhibition of Australian Art and Culture.

The 2001 season saw the emergence of a two-tiered league system. This was mainly due to rules stating that no more than nine Australians could be on the field during BARFL matches. A second division was therefore created with more flexible laws concerning the numbers of Aussies on the field of play.

The Brit Cup was a new competition made up of only British players from five of the British League teams, including a guest team from St Helens, an emerging team from the north of England.

AFL matches have been played at The Oval in London since North Melbourne played Carlton in 1986. There is also regular international competition, with a strong rivalry developing with Denmark. The British Bulldogs performed well at the Atlantic Alliance Cup in London in October 2001, recording good wins against Canada and Denmark. They are looking forward to repeating their success at the International Cup.