World Footy News

The Republic of Nauru is a small isolated Central Pacific island lying some 41km south of the Equator. The island is divided into 14 districts and has a total population of 10,000 people.

Despite its small size Nauru has had its fair share of high profile AFL players and coaches. These include Dermott Brereton, Gary Lyon, Gary Ablett, Michael Turner, Paul Couch, Neville Bruns, Bernie Quinlan, Mark Yeates, Jarrad Molloy, Simon Hawking, John Northey and Chris Johnson.

Nauru is the only country outside Australia where the No. 1 sport is Australian football. Probably the best example of the fanaticism in Nauru is the names of some of the people themselves. Christian names include Sheedy, Hawthorn, Jacko, Cazaly, Hudson and Jesaleunko. There's even a Jeff Kennett!

The Nauru Australian Football Association (NAFA) consists of six senior teams and a five-team reserves competition. Junior football consists of an Under-11 and Under-14 competition, the Nauru Junior Football Federation.

NAFA's headquarters are situated at Linkbelt Oval. There is no grass whatsoever - the playing surface consists completely of phosphate dust over crushed dirt. NAFA's slogan is "the hard men of football" and you would have to be made of stern stuff indeed to even consider playing on such a surface.

Despite the lunar appearance of the playing field there are permanent fully sized goal posts and a very good large scoreboard. Centre square and other markings are done with oil.

There is virtually no recorded history of Australian football in Nauru. Common consensus, however, indicates that it was first played in the 1930s and that it was introduced by Nauruans who had been to school in Victoria. Amongst them was Geelong supporter Hammer DeRoburt, known as the father of the nation.

Nauru participated in the 1995 Arafura Games in Darwin, winning the bronze medal. The Frigate Birds (as they were then known) were coached by former Geelong player Mark Yeates.

In 1996 there were eight teams in the competition with special guest John Northey watching the grand final.

In 1997 there was no competition organized at either junior or senior level, although the Nauru Secondary School sent an under 14 team to compete in the Queensland Junior State Championships as an invitational member, winning all four games.

In March 2000 Nauru's national team, now named the Chiefs, traveled to Queensland to compete in the Web Sports Cup, involving teams from Nauru, Samoa and Australia. Their tour was a great success, winning both matches.

The Chiefs repeated their success a year later, this time taking out the inaugural Pacific Cup, which was also held in Queensland.

On a roll, the Chiefs continued on to the Arafura Games in Darwin, where they won the gold medal. No football was played in Nauru during 2001 but they are confident of performing well at the International Cup.

Individuals and teams interested in visiting Nauru should contact Valdon Dowiyogo at vdowiyogo@yahoo.com