World Footy News

The Australian Indigenous under 16 side, the Flying Boomerangs, have completed their African tour undefeated, knocking over the locals 164 to 38 in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The match was preceded by an under 13s game between the home town and another local area, Nyanga. In another good sign for development of the sport, both matches received some local media coverage, an important step in exposing locals to footy and opening people's mind to the game.

The following report, by Mzwanele Mkalipi, can also be read online here: Blimey, bra, it's Aussie rules footy

Blimey, bra, it's Aussie rules footy

Hundreds of bemused sports lovers turned out at the Khayelitsha Cricket Oval on Saturday to watch Cape Town's first international Aussie rules "footy" match between a South African and an Australian team.

It was no surprise that the Flying Boomerangs beat the local side 164-38, but Allison Simons, manager of the Australian Football League WC, said local interest in the game had been growing over the past six months.

In Aussie rules, two teams of 18 players take to the field. The game is a combination of soccer, rugby and basketball, with players bouncing the ball as they run, passing forward, and no offside rule.

The event kicked of with a match between under-13 teams from primary schools in Nyanga and Khayelitsha, with Khayelitsha winning 36-19.

The Flying Boomerangs first visited South Africa in 2006, and the success of that tour led to the creation of the Youth Series, which is played between the two countries every February.

A South African side travelled to Australia last year and played in Darwin, Jabiru and Perth.

A youth programme, AFL FootyWILD, was introduced to primary schools in Khayelitsha and Nyanga last year.

FootyWild is a programme designed for South African youth, using Aussie rules football as a means to encourage participation in sport in disadvantaged communities.

The coach of the Nyanga under-13 team, Siphiwo Ngcwangu, said the youngsters were still new to the game and needed time to adjust.

"But with commitment and a bit of patience the game has a bright future in South Africa," he said.

His Khayelitsha counterpart, Momelezi Nyembenya, called for sponsors to help promote the game.

The South African squad comprised 12 Western Cape players and 12 from the rest of the country.

Simons said the game could be used as the "vehicle for social change among the youth of South Africa".

"This game gives youth options and takes them off the streets.

"This game also teaches the youth about different cultures - and most importantly the kids are having fun," he said.

MEC for sport and recreation Whitey Jacobs was among the spectators, and said though it was difficult to gauge the level of interest from the youth about the game, he was hopeful.

"We hope when the sport finally finds its route in South Africa there'll be a lot of interest. This sport is not much different from other codes that we have here," he said.