Australian rules football in Canada
Encyclopedia
Australian rules football
in Canada
is a fast growing team and spectator sport
which has been played since the late 1980s.
Australian football is currently played in four Canadian provinces
- Ontario
, Alberta
, Quebec
and British Columbia
. The Ontario league, centred around Toronto
but also including sides from cities as far afield as Guelph, Hamilton, Ottawa
and Montreal
, is considered the largest outside of Australia. In western Canada, there are clubs in Edmonton
, Calgary
and a six-team league in the Vancouver
area.
There is also a number of junior and women's clubs across Canada.
staged several exhibition matches
in Canada, attracting large crowds and much interest. The 1987 game holds the record for a VFL/AFL match held outside of Australia.
In the late 1980s, regional ESPN
broadcasts in Canada showed highlights of the Victorian Football League
from Australia
.
and the Toronto Panthers
were formed and played in the inaugural Conacher Cup game in Toronto, Ontario. Since then, the game of Australian football in Canada has expanded considerably nationwide.
In 1990, the Scarborough Rebels, the North York Hawks and the Hamilton Wildcats joined, with the Balmy Beach Saints coming on board in 1992. The North York Hawks later relocated and became known as the Broadview Hawks.
The Brampton Wolverines, the league's seventh team, were formed in 1993. The Scarborough Rebels relocated and became the Lawrence Park Rebels.
, beat a British (BARFL) representative team.
In 1994 and 1995, the Canadians again defeated the British at home.
In 1995, several local CAFA games were broadcast on a Hamilton
cable TV channel.
In July 1995, the Hamilton Wildcats played a Canadian All-Star team in front of 21,000 fans during the half-time break at a Canadian Football League
(gridiron
) match.
In 1999, the first USA v Canada game was played 49th Parallel Cup
(named after the 49th parallel north
). The Revolution narrowly defeated Team Canada (Northwind). Later matches enforced strict rules based on player origins.
In 2002, Canada participated in the inuagural Australian Football International Cup
, Canada represented by the Northwind team consisting purely of Canadian born players.
In 2003, the first ever junior league in Canada, the North Delta Junior Australian Football League was formed.
AFL Canada
was formed as governing body on July 30, 2004 when the Canadian Australian Football League changed its official name. The move corresponded with funding from the Australian Football League
, and junior participation program was put in place. The clubs were split into 2 regional based leagues, the Ontario Australian Football League
and the North West Pacific Football League
. The remaining Alberta
based clubs participate in AFL Canada organised regional conferences such as the British Columbia Cup.
In 2005 the Northwind participated in the 2005 International Cup.
In early 2006, AFL Canada sent a small delegate to the AFL exhibition match in Los Angeles
. London and Windsor folded due to distance but the new OAFL club the Central Blues formed and began competing. In Alberta, the Calgary Bears also formed and the Westcoast challenge commenced.
In early 2007, the Ottawa Swans formed, and affiliated with the OAFL, and the Demons relocated from Mississauga to High Park
in inner Toronto.
In late 2007, AFL Canada hosted the Ironbark challenge, including the 49th Parallel Cup between Canada
vs United States
including historic first women's and junior (under 17) tests between the two countries. Canada defeated the United States for the first time at both senior and junior level, but were soundly defeated in the women's match. The tournament also included a touring Japanese team and attracted a record attendance of 2,500 at Thunderbird Stadium
in Vancouver
.
Later the same year, former Canadian rugby union
international Mike Pyke
was signed by the Sydney Swans
AFL team as an international rookie at 24 years of age.
for Aussie Rules in Canada is AFL Canada
.
In 2006, there were over 420 senior (approximately 250 Canadian national) Australian rules football players in Canada out of a total of 484, an increase of 25% from 2005.
By the end of 2007, this figure had increased to a total of 825 players in organised competitions, of which 525 were senior and 300 were junior, an increase of over 70% from 2006, and a total of 95% increase over 2 years.
(STS) and MHz Networks
. As of 2010, TSN2
broadcasts one live game every round available in HD.
In 2011, the first televised all-Canadian Aussie Rules match was shown on Rogers TV, and featured the Ottawa Swans hosting the Toronto Rebels.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
is a fast growing team and spectator sport
Spectator sport
A spectator sport is a sport that is characterized by the presence of spectators, or watchers, at its matches. For instance, Tennis, Rugby, F-1, baseball, basketball, cricket, football , and ice hockey are spectator sports, while hunting or underwater hockey typically are not...
which has been played since the late 1980s.
Australian football is currently played in four Canadian provinces
Provinces and territories of Canada
The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories...
- Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. The Ontario league, centred around Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
but also including sides from cities as far afield as Guelph, Hamilton, Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, is considered the largest outside of Australia. In western Canada, there are clubs in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
and a six-team league in the Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
area.
There is also a number of junior and women's clubs across Canada.
History of Australian Football in Canada
Between 1987 and 1989, the Australian Football LeagueAustralian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
staged several exhibition matches
Australian rules football exhibition matches
Australian rules football has been introduced to a wide range of places around Australia and the world since the code originated in Victoria in 1859....
in Canada, attracting large crowds and much interest. The 1987 game holds the record for a VFL/AFL match held outside of Australia.
| Year | Location | Stadium | Teams | Crowds |
| 1987 | Vancouver | Melbourne v. Nth Melbourne | 7,980 | |
| 1987 | Vancouver | B.C. Place | Melbourne v. Sydney | 32,789 |
| 1987 | Vancouver | Collingwood v. Hawthorn | ||
| 1988 | Toronto | Varsity Stadium Varsity Stadium Varsity Stadium is a collegiate football stadium that is home to the Varsity Blues, the athletic teams of the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While the present structure was built in 2007, it is in fact the third major incarnation of the stadium that has occupied the same site... |
Collingwood v. Hawthorn | 18,500 |
| 1989 | Toronto | Toronto Skydome | Essendon v. Hawthorn | 24,639 |
In the late 1980s, regional ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
broadcasts in Canada showed highlights of the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
The First League
The Canadian Australian Football League was established in May 1989 when two clubs the Mississauga MustangsMississauga Demons
The High Park Demons are an amateur Australian rules football club based in Toronto, Canada.-History:...
and the Toronto Panthers
Toronto Eagles
The Toronto Eagles Australian Football Club is an amateur Australian rules football club competing in the Ontario Australian Football League....
were formed and played in the inaugural Conacher Cup game in Toronto, Ontario. Since then, the game of Australian football in Canada has expanded considerably nationwide.
In 1990, the Scarborough Rebels, the North York Hawks and the Hamilton Wildcats joined, with the Balmy Beach Saints coming on board in 1992. The North York Hawks later relocated and became known as the Broadview Hawks.
The Brampton Wolverines, the league's seventh team, were formed in 1993. The Scarborough Rebels relocated and became the Lawrence Park Rebels.
Early International Competition
In 1993, Canadian representative team, known as the NorthwindNorthwind
The Northwind is Canada's national Australian rules football team that represents the clubs and teams of AFL Canada.Northwind players are selected from the best Canadian-born players from the club teams across Canada....
, beat a British (BARFL) representative team.
In 1994 and 1995, the Canadians again defeated the British at home.
In 1995, several local CAFA games were broadcast on a Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
cable TV channel.
In July 1995, the Hamilton Wildcats played a Canadian All-Star team in front of 21,000 fans during the half-time break at a Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(gridiron
Gridiron football
Gridiron football , sometimes known as North American football, is an umbrella term for related codes of football primarily played in the United States and Canada. The predominant forms of gridiron football are American football and Canadian football...
) match.
In 1999, the first USA v Canada game was played 49th Parallel Cup
49th Parallel Cup
The 49th Parallel Cup is an annual Australian rules football match between the USA and Canada.-History:In 1999, the first USA v Canada game was played 49th Parallel Cup...
(named after the 49th parallel north
49th parallel north
The 49th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 49 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Europe, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean....
). The Revolution narrowly defeated Team Canada (Northwind). Later matches enforced strict rules based on player origins.
In 2002, Canada participated in the inuagural Australian Football International Cup
Australian Football International Cup
The Australian Football International Cup is an international sport competition in Australian rules football...
, Canada represented by the Northwind team consisting purely of Canadian born players.
The Game Gets Grassroots
AFL Canada
AFL Canada
AFL Canada is the governing body for men's and women's Australian rules football in Canada....
was formed as governing body on July 30, 2004 when the Canadian Australian Football League changed its official name. The move corresponded with funding from the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
, and junior participation program was put in place. The clubs were split into 2 regional based leagues, the Ontario Australian Football League
Ontario Australian Football League
The Ontario Australian Football League is the largest Australian Football league in North America. It is currently composed of teams from the Greater Toronto Area, Southwestern Ontario and the National Capital Region, who play off for the Conacher Cup , presently awarded to the winner of the annual...
and the North West Pacific Football League
North West Pacific Football League
The North West Pacific Football League is an Australian rules football competition with teams from both Canada and the United States.It was formed by the Seattle Cats and Vancouver Cougars in 2001, the league is the main home-and-away competition in the US states of Washington and Oregon, and the...
. The remaining Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
based clubs participate in AFL Canada organised regional conferences such as the British Columbia Cup.
In 2005 the Northwind participated in the 2005 International Cup.
In early 2006, AFL Canada sent a small delegate to the AFL exhibition match in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. London and Windsor folded due to distance but the new OAFL club the Central Blues formed and began competing. In Alberta, the Calgary Bears also formed and the Westcoast challenge commenced.
In early 2007, the Ottawa Swans formed, and affiliated with the OAFL, and the Demons relocated from Mississauga to High Park
High Park
High Park is a municipal park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It spans , and is a mixed recreational and natural park, with sporting facilities, cultural facilities, educational facilities, gardens, playgrounds and a zoo. One third of the park remains in a natural state, with a rare oak savannah ecology...
in inner Toronto.
In late 2007, AFL Canada hosted the Ironbark challenge, including the 49th Parallel Cup between Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
vs United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
including historic first women's and junior (under 17) tests between the two countries. Canada defeated the United States for the first time at both senior and junior level, but were soundly defeated in the women's match. The tournament also included a touring Japanese team and attracted a record attendance of 2,500 at Thunderbird Stadium
Thunderbird Stadium
Thunderbird Stadium is an outdoor stadium on the University Endowment Lands of British Columbia, west of Vancouver's city limits. It is used primarily for soccer and football by the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. It seats 3,500 in the main grandstand...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
.
Canada Emerges as a Footy Force
In early 2008, Canadian junior Scott Fleming moved to Australia to play with the Broadbeach Cats semi-professional club in the AFL Queensland State League at 17 years of age.Later the same year, former Canadian rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
international Mike Pyke
Mike Pyke
Michael Anthony Patrick Pyke is a Canadian dual-code football player.He is best known in his homeland as a rugby union player, who played for Canada's national side and French Top 14 squad US Montauban.Pyke is currently a professional Australian rules footballer with the Sydney Swans.-Early...
was signed by the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
AFL team as an international rookie at 24 years of age.
Governing Body
The governing bodySport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
for Aussie Rules in Canada is AFL Canada
AFL Canada
AFL Canada is the governing body for men's and women's Australian rules football in Canada....
.
Participation
By the end of 2007, this figure had increased to a total of 825 players in organised competitions, of which 525 were senior and 300 were junior, an increase of over 70% from 2006, and a total of 95% increase over 2 years.
Women's Football
Canada boasts one senior women's league in Alberta and 5 women's football clubs nationwide. Youth girls development programs operate in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. The national team, formed in 2007, is known as the "Northern Lights". They were formerly known as the "Eagles". They played in the first women's international footy matches during 2007, when they lost twice to the USA Freedom.Alberta Footy Men's League
| Club | City | Province Provinces and territories of Canada The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories... |
founded | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Kangaroos Calgary Kangaroos The Calgary Kangaroos are an Australian rules football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Calgary Rugby Union and are members of AFL Canada.... |
Calgary Calgary Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies... |
Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... |
2005 | Official Site |
| Calgary Bears | Calgary Calgary Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies... |
Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... |
2007 | Official Site |
| Edmonton Wombats | Edmonton | Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... |
2009 | |
Alberta Footy Women's League
| Club | City | Province Provinces and territories of Canada The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories... |
founded | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Kookaburras Calgary Kookaburras The Calgary Kookaburras are a ladies Australian rules football club based in Calgary, Canada. They play at the Queen Elizabeth School, Hillhurst and are members of AFL Canada. They were the first women's football club formed in Canada.-History:... |
Calgary Calgary Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies... |
Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... |
2007 | Official Site |
| Edmonton Emus | Edmonton Edmonton Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census... |
Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... |
2009 | Official Site |
| Hillhurst Nighthawks | Calgary | Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... |
2008 | Official Site |
| Kensington Kingfishers | Calgary Kensington, Calgary Kensington is a Business Revitalization Zone in Calgary, Alberta, focused around the intersection of Kensington Road and 10th St. NW, also known as the Kensington-Louise Crossing Business Association. It resides primarily in the Hillhurst and Sunnyside neighbourhood, and successful marketing has... |
Alberta Alberta Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces... |
2008 | Official Site |
British Columbia Australian Football League
| Club | City | Province Provinces and territories of Canada The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories... |
founded | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnaby Eagles Burnaby Eagles The Burnaby Eagles were an Australian rules football club based in Burnaby, British Columbia. They played in the North West Pacific Australian Football League. They were founded in 2001.... |
Burnaby Burnaby, British Columbia Burnaby is a city in British Columbia, Canada, located immediately to the east of Vancouver. It is the third-largest city in British Columbia by population, surpassed only by nearby Surrey and Vancouver.... |
British Columbia British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... |
2001 | Official Site |
| Delta BayHawks | North Delta North Delta, British Columbia North Delta is a largely middle-class bedroom community situated in the Lower Mainland, in British Columbia, Canada. The community is the most populous of the three communities that make up the Corporation of Delta. North Delta is home to numerous parks and recreational opportunities... |
British Columbia British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... |
2009 | Official Site |
| Vancouver Cougars Vancouver Cougars The Vancouver Cougars are members of the Australian Football League Canada and compete in the North West Pacific Australian Football League.The club was founded in Vancouver, Canada on January 15, 2001, becoming the first ever Aussie Rules club in the city of Vancouver.-History:Club founders James... |
Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,... |
British Columbia British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... |
2001 | Official Site |
| West Coast Saints | Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,... |
British Columbia British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... |
2008 | Official Site |
North Delta Junior Australian Football League
| Club | City | Province Provinces and territories of Canada The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories... |
founded | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Delta Junior Australian Football League | North Delta North Delta, British Columbia North Delta is a largely middle-class bedroom community situated in the Lower Mainland, in British Columbia, Canada. The community is the most populous of the three communities that make up the Corporation of Delta. North Delta is home to numerous parks and recreational opportunities... |
British Columbia British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... |
2003 | Official Site |
Ontario Australian Football League
| Club | City | Province Provinces and territories of Canada The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories... |
founded | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadview Hawks Broadview Hawks The Broadview Hawks is an Australian rules football club based in the Broadview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The club has made Grand Final appearances in 1996, 1999 and 2006.-History:... |
Broadview Broadview (electoral district) Broadview was a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1935 to 1979. This riding was created in 1933 from parts of Toronto East and Toronto—Scarborough ridings.... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
1989 | Official Site |
| Ottawa Swans Ottawa Swans The Ottawa Swans are an Australian rules football club based in Ottawa, Canada.The club is notable as being the first and currently only Australian rules football club to represent the city of Ottawa.... |
Ottawa Ottawa Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
2007 | Official Site |
| Etobicoke Kangaroos Etobicoke Kangaroos The Etobicoke Kangaroos are an amateur Australian Football club based in Etobicoke, Canada. They are members of the Ontario Australian Football League.... |
Etobicoke | Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
2003 | Official Site |
| Guelph Gargoyles Guelph Gargoyles The Gargoyles are an amateur Australian rules football club based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.They are the only Aussie Rules club to represent the Guelph area... |
Guelph Guelph Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
2001 | Official Site |
| Hamilton Wildcats Hamilton Wildcats Formed in 1990, the Hamilton Wildcats are a member club of the Ontario Australian Football League . Currently the Wildcats boast a playing membership of some 32 players who are drawn to the unique game of Australian rules football from many regions of southern Ontario, Canada... |
Hamilton Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
1997 | Official Site |
| High Park Demons | Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
1989 | Official Site |
| Toronto Downtown Dingos Toronto Downtown Dingos -History:The Toronto Downtown Dingos were formed in February 1996. Mark Jones, an accomplished travelling Australian footballer, had the idea to form an eighth team in the then Canadian Australian Football Association.... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
1996 | Official Site |
| Toronto Eagles Toronto Eagles The Toronto Eagles Australian Football Club is an amateur Australian rules football club competing in the Ontario Australian Football League.... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
1989 | Official Site |
| Toronto Rebels Toronto Rebels The Toronto Rebels Australian Football Club are an amateur Australian rules football club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The Toronto Rebels are one of the oldest and most accomplished teams in Canadian Australian Football... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
1990 | Official Site |
| Central Blues Central Blues The Central Blues are an Australian rules football club based in Toronto, Canada.-History:The club was founded in 2005 by ex Guelph Gargoyles players Bruce Parker and Rob Chapman.... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
Ontario Ontario Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... |
2006 | Official Site |
Quebec
| Club | City | Province Provinces and territories of Canada The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories... |
founded | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec Saints Quebec Saints The Québec Saints are an Australian rules football club based in Montréal, Canada.-History:Founded by Luke Anderson in early 2008 the Québec Saints joined the Ontario AFL's 'Rec Footy' program the same year competing against the Central Blues and Broadview Hawks reserve squads.In late 2008 the... |
Montreal Montreal Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America... |
Quebec Quebec Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level.... |
2008 | Official Site |
Television
In 2006, due to growing demand and lobbying by the AFANA, Aussie Rules began playing live matches on television in Canada on Setanta SportsSetanta Sports
Setanta Sports is an international sports broadcaster based in Dublin, Ireland. Setanta Sports was formed in 1990 to facilitate the broadcasting of Irish sporting events...
(STS) and MHz Networks
MHz Networks
MHz Networks is a Northern Virginia based independent, non-commercial educational broadcaster operated by Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation. The legal broadcast callsigns for the two stations of MHz Networks are WNVC and WNVT...
. As of 2010, TSN2
TSN2
TSN2 is a secondary feed of the Canadian English language Category C specialty channel TSN, owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc., a joint venture of Bell Media and ESPN...
broadcasts one live game every round available in HD.
In 2011, the first televised all-Canadian Aussie Rules match was shown on Rogers TV, and featured the Ottawa Swans hosting the Toronto Rebels.
Exhibition Matches
Canada holds the world record for attendance at a match outside of Australia.- 32,789 (1987). MelbourneMelbourne Football ClubThe Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
v. North Melbourne (B.C. Place, VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
)
International Tests
- 2,500 (2007). 49th Parallel Cup. CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
vs United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Thunderbird StadiumThunderbird StadiumThunderbird Stadium is an outdoor stadium on the University Endowment Lands of British Columbia, west of Vancouver's city limits. It is used primarily for soccer and football by the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. It seats 3,500 in the main grandstand...
, VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...