World Footy News

In an announcement released by AFL Europe, the Champions League event for 2015 will be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at a venue to be advised at a later date.  The dates for this event will be March 21st and March 22nd.

 

According to AFL Europe General Manager Ben MacCormack, “It’s with great pleasure that we announce the details for the inaugural AFL Europe Champions League – 2015 – Amsterdam. Following a number of years with the majority of our major events being held in the UK and Ireland we are pleased the Amsterdam Devils have taken on the challenge to co-host the Champions League with AFL Europe. It’s a great chance for them to further develop the sport in a market with huge potential.”

 

 

 The AFL Europe website has detailed the following format and player eligibility rules for interested teams:

 

 

Format: Club not country. Winning Club of each major league in our member nations invited (defer to runner-up if premier decline’s invite). If member country only has one club they automatically qualify if not part of another major league (e.g. Madrid Bulls). Euro Cup format and rules. 9-a-side. One day competition with group stage and finals (team numbers dependant). Winner to be crowned Club Champions of Europe.

 

Player Eligibility: As this is a club based competition and there are a variety of different rules regarding Australian playing numbers across Europe we have decided on the following. Maximum of 4 Australian’s on the field at any one time. Players must have played at your club in the premiership year or be signed up to play in 2015. Maximum squad of 16 players (cannot be added to/swapped once the days play has begun).

 

Clubs that have already qualified for participation at the event are:

 

Belfast Redbacks (Ireland, ARFLI), Toulouse Hawks (France), Manchester Mosquitoes (AFLCNE), West London Wildcats (AFL London), Zagreb Hawks (Croatia), Amsterdam Devils (Netherlands), Llops Del Pla (Catalonia), Madrid Bulls (Spain), Farum Cats (Denmark), Rheinland Lions (Germany), Turku Dockers (Finland), Solna Axemen (Sweden – SAFF, Stockholm), Port Malmo Maulers (Sweden – DAFL), Edinburgh Bloods (Scotland), Roma Blues (Italy), Oslo East (Norway), Bristol Dockers (Welsh Australian Rules Football League).

 

AFL Europe is also looking at the possibility of women’s teams for the event and have issued an invitation for interested teams.

 

For further information, contact Ben at AFL Europe at: ben.maccormack@afleurope.org