World Footy News

The Japan AFL will be holding their Annual 2 Day Australian Rules Football Carnival, the Narita Cup on June 11th and 12th 2005. Originally only Japanese based teams entered, however in 2001, the inclusion of Victorian Amateur Football Association team, Box Hill North, triggered the rapid growth of the competition. This report from Matt Hegarty from the Tokyo Goannas.

In 2004, the Fosters Narita Cup was again held at the Radisson Hotel Narita Airport, and saw International teams such as the Jakarta Bintangs and Singapore Wombats join Box Hill North, the Osaka Dingoes, Tokyo Goannas, and the Tokyo Samurais in the competition. The tournament also saw the strong participation of women's teams such as the Osaka Bilbies and Tokyo Geckos who played a series of exhibition games. In the men’s competition the Samurai’s completed a tremendous display of football over 2 days to defeat a plucky and gallant Box Hill in a tough, action packed final, running out convincing victors. A tremendous result for the University students and for Aussie Rules in Japan.

For information about the 2005 Narita Cup - check out the JAFL site.

On a more general note, Australian Football is alive and well in Japan and the Tokyo Goannas AFC is the club to where many Aussies (and non-Aussies) gravitate. This club provides Australians with the opportunity to re-establish old ties to an Australian sporting culture which encompasses not just training and games, but community development activities as well as of course, a few social beers.

For further information about playing, sponsoring or simply becoming an active member check out www.tokyogoannas.com or email info@tokyogoannas.com