World Footy News

An entry on the AFL Europe website showed the allocation of a start-up grant for a Budapest based Australian Rules football team in 2013. Whilst many readers possibly salivated at the thought of breaking into the Hungarian market, others may well have thought it was a misprint. But Geordie Est has returned to Australia from Hungary with the story of Aussie Rules progress in Budapest.

“I carried out several clinics during my time in Budapest. They were predominantly for foreigners either living in the city or passing through. I started the clinics in late autumn when the weather was getting a bit chilly so I didn't get a huge amount of traction. Nonetheless, I would like to thank Ben MacCormack for sending the balls over. It did give me the opportunity to showcase the game in some small way. I also collaborated with a Frisbee group and introduced the ball and the game to those that were interested. I held the clinics at Margaret Island which is very central and provided an ideal location.”

“Having a DSLR [camera] and a range of lenses at my disposal I took a few "promotional pictures" of one of the footballs Ben sent over, with a female model who was keen on Australia and AFL. I also took a few pictures during the screening event for the Grand Final at The Champs Sports Bar which I had organised for the second year running. Unfortunately I took the wrong lens with me that early morning and the pictures didn't turn out too well. A while ago I sent Ben a few samples of these images, but didn't take any snaps during the clinics unfortunately.”

“While I'm in Australia for the time being, I do have a great interest in Europe because I also collaborate with others in fields outside of sport. The chances are that at some point I will get back to Europe to help out or take part in anything AFL Europe organises over there. I am always keen to remain engaged in any way.”

“It would have been great to have shown your fellow writer [Harley Vague on his recent European fact-finding trip] around the city. I think Budapest on the up at the moment and is a great place for AFL Europe to look into.”

Clearly AFL Europe felt the same way, with the issuing of a grant being a small step on the road to a Hungarian based team. Time will tell if the game continues to smoke and flame after the first sparks have been ignited, the the prospect remains real and with people like Geordie fanning the flames, Budapest might well be the new kid on the European block in years to come.