World Footy News

The 2004 British Australian Rules Football League Premiership and Conference titles were won last weekend, with the West London Wildcats taking out the London Premiership, and the Shepherds Bush Raiders winning the London Conference. It was a big result for the Wildcats, as both winning teams are part of the West London club.

The BARFL is split into four leagues, with two based around London. The 2004 London Conference is essentially an Australian expat league, and featured seven teams, with the Shepherds Bush Raiders finishing minor premiers and going through to defeat the Putney Magpies in the Grand Final, 15.19 (109) to 9.5 (59), for their fourth straight flag (pictured left).

The London Premiership is a mixed local/expat league, and had six teams competing this year. The powerful West London Wildcats were playing in their fifth Grand Final in six years, and knocked off the Wimbledon Hawks 14.12 (96) to 5.2 (32) to take home the silverware (pictured left).

As reported earlier, the Regional Premiership was won by Reading and the inaugural Scottish League saw the Edinburgh Old Town Bloods victorious. Although season 2004 has seen some setbacks, with some regional clubs unable to complete the season, it appears that overall numbers were up, and the UK Aussie Rules concept was also introduced (a story on this will be done later in the year). Hopefully football will continue to grow in the UK in 2005.