Australian rules football in the Northern Territory
Encyclopedia
Australian rules football
in the Northern Territory
has a history dating back to the 1910s and is the most popular sport
in the territory, particularly with indigenous Australian communities in Darwin
, Alice Springs and the Tiwi Islands
.
7% of all Northern Territorians in 2007 participated in Australian rules football, the highest participation in Australia (and second worldwide only to Australian rules football in Nauru
). The sport also produces more professional Australian rules footballers per capita in the Australian Football League
than any other state or territory.
The Northern Territory is home to several representative teams, most notably the Aboriginal All-Stars
, but also the Northern Territory Thunder, the Northern Territory Football Club
(that plays in the QAFL) and the Flying Boomerangs
and has a strong local competition, the Northern Territory Football League
.
The first recorded match of Australian Football in Darwin
was played in February 1916 on Darwin Town Oval.
The Northern Territory Football League
chose to play in the Northern Territory's 'wet season', primarily due to hard playing surfaces during the 'dry season'. Most other leagues in Australia operate during the winter, but since the Territory does not have a winter, it is played at different times. The Wanderers Football Club
were the founding members of the league in 1916.
John Pye and Andy Howley introduced Australian rules football to the Tiwi Islands
in 1941, which grew to become the most popular sport on the islands. The Tiwi Islands Football League
is a strong competition which feeds players into the NTFL. Skills of the TIFL players are widely celebrated. The TIFL Grand Final is the largest event on the island and a major tourist drawcard.
In 1991, Marrara Stadium was increased in capacity, and became the new home for the NTFL and AFL matches.
In 1991, Darwin hosted the first Arafura Games
, the first international competition to include the sport of Australian Rules, and local teams have competed against nations from around the world. The city has hosted the games since.
Since the late 1990s, the Aboriginal All-Stars
have captured the imagination of indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory, and have gained a huge amount of support.
Although the Territory would love to have a local team in the national competition, a small population and the lack of potential sponsorship means it is unlikely (but not impossible) that a team will be admitted to the Australian Football League
at this time.
In 2002, a record crowd of 17,500 attended an AFL pre-season practice between the Aboriginal All-Stars
and Carlton Football Club
.
However, in a deal struck with the Northern Territory government, Melbourne
based Western Bulldogs
AFL side has played several home games a year at Marrara Stadium.
In 2004, Alice Springs main ground Traeger Park
was re-developed and has hosted several AFL exhibition matches.
In 2007, a representative side began in earnest a campaign to join a major league, the SANFL, WAFL
or QAFL
with the new team split between Alice Springs and Darwin. A decision was reached in late 2008, with the Northern Territory Football Club
, known as the Thunder, formed to field a team in the Queensland competition from the 2009 season onwards.
, before being incorporated into the QLD/NT and then Allies representative sides.
At Under 16 and Under 18 level, the territory fields teams in the national championships.
The Aboriginal All-Stars
, a team composed of indigenous Australian players mostly from the AFL and all over the country, are based in Darwin. Darwin is also home of the Flying Boomerangs
, the junior indigenous side, who play an annual series against South Africa
.
The Northern Territory Football Club
formed in 2009 to play in the QAFL competition.
The Tiwi Islands
is said to have the highest participation rate in Australia (35%) http://www.theage.com.au/news/northern-territory/even-a-cyclone-cant-stop-the-footy/2005/03/19/1111086063413.html.
and South Australian National Football League
, including many indigenous Australian players. Greats include Maurice Rioli
, Michael Long, Daryl White, Ronnie Burns
, David Kantilla
, Dean Rioli
and Nathan Buckley
.
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 the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
has a history dating back to the 1910s and is the most popular sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
in the territory, particularly with indigenous Australian communities in Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, Alice Springs and the Tiwi Islands
Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are part of Australia's Northern Territory, north of Darwin where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea. They comprise Melville Island and Bathurst Island, with a combined area of ....
.
7% of all Northern Territorians in 2007 participated in Australian rules football, the highest participation in Australia (and second worldwide only to Australian rules football in Nauru
Australian rules football in Nauru
Australian rules football in Nauru dates back to the 1930s and quickly established itself, along with weightlifting as the national sport of the country.The overall participation rate of over 30% is the highest for the sport in the world.-Structure:...
). The sport also produces more professional Australian rules footballers per capita in 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...
than any other state or territory.
The Northern Territory is home to several representative teams, most notably the Aboriginal All-Stars
Aboriginal All-Stars
The Indigenous All-Stars are an Australian rules football team composed purely of Indigenous Australians....
, but also the Northern Territory Thunder, the Northern Territory Football Club
Northern Territory Football Club
Northern Territory Football Club, nicknamed The Thunder, is a Northern Territory-based Australian rules football club competing in the NEAFL Australian Rules Football competition.-History:...
(that plays in the QAFL) and the Flying Boomerangs
Flying Boomerangs
The Flying Boomerangs are the underage Indigenous Australian Australian rules football team.The team has played tests against the South African national Australian rules football team in both Australia and South Africa and more recently against an underage Papua New Guinea, the first international...
and has a strong local competition, the Northern Territory Football League
Northern Territory Football League
The Northern Territory Football League is an 8 team Australian rules football semi-professional league operating in Darwin in the Northern Territory.The premier grade is the largest Australian rules football league in the Northern Territory...
.
History
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
was played in February 1916 on Darwin Town Oval.
The Northern Territory Football League
Northern Territory Football League
The Northern Territory Football League is an 8 team Australian rules football semi-professional league operating in Darwin in the Northern Territory.The premier grade is the largest Australian rules football league in the Northern Territory...
chose to play in the Northern Territory's 'wet season', primarily due to hard playing surfaces during the 'dry season'. Most other leagues in Australia operate during the winter, but since the Territory does not have a winter, it is played at different times. The Wanderers Football Club
Wanderers Football Club
The Wanderers Football Club, nicknamed, Eagles, is a member club of the Northern Territory Football League.-History:The club was formed in 1916 and was a founding member of the NTFL.It has produced AFL players such as Shannon Motlop and Bruce Dwyer....
were the founding members of the league in 1916.
John Pye and Andy Howley introduced Australian rules football to the Tiwi Islands
Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are part of Australia's Northern Territory, north of Darwin where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea. They comprise Melville Island and Bathurst Island, with a combined area of ....
in 1941, which grew to become the most popular sport on the islands. The Tiwi Islands Football League
Tiwi Islands Football League
The Tiwi Islands Football League is an Australian rules football competition in the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.Australian Rules football is the most popular sport on the Tiwi Islands....
is a strong competition which feeds players into the NTFL. Skills of the TIFL players are widely celebrated. The TIFL Grand Final is the largest event on the island and a major tourist drawcard.
In 1991, Marrara Stadium was increased in capacity, and became the new home for the NTFL and AFL matches.
In 1991, Darwin hosted the first Arafura Games
Arafura Games
The Arafura Games is a Multi-sport event held every 2 years in the Australian city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory. It is an international event which draws its competitors from around the world. First held in 1991, the most recent Games, held in 2009, involved over 30 nations and over 3,000...
, the first international competition to include the sport of Australian Rules, and local teams have competed against nations from around the world. The city has hosted the games since.
Since the late 1990s, the Aboriginal All-Stars
Aboriginal All-Stars
The Indigenous All-Stars are an Australian rules football team composed purely of Indigenous Australians....
have captured the imagination of indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory, and have gained a huge amount of support.
Recent History
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
at this time.
In 2002, a record crowd of 17,500 attended an AFL pre-season practice between the Aboriginal All-Stars
Aboriginal All-Stars
The Indigenous All-Stars are an Australian rules football team composed purely of Indigenous Australians....
and Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
.
However, in a deal struck with the Northern Territory government, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
based Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
AFL side has played several home games a year at Marrara Stadium.
In 2004, Alice Springs main ground Traeger Park
Traeger Park
Traeger Park is a small stadium located in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.The stadium hosts Australian rules football and cricket matches and has a capacity of 10,000....
was re-developed and has hosted several AFL exhibition matches.
In 2007, a representative side began in earnest a campaign to join a major league, the SANFL, WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
or QAFL
Queensland Australian Football League
The Queensland Australian Football League was an Australian rules football competition for clubs from South East Queensland.Up until 2010, the QAFL was the premier semi-professional competition in Queensland, with salary cap rules and regulations in place.It was previously known as the Queensland...
with the new team split between Alice Springs and Darwin. A decision was reached in late 2008, with the Northern Territory Football Club
Northern Territory Football Club
Northern Territory Football Club, nicknamed The Thunder, is a Northern Territory-based Australian rules football club competing in the NEAFL Australian Rules Football competition.-History:...
, known as the Thunder, formed to field a team in the Queensland competition from the 2009 season onwards.
Representative Sides
The Northern Territory was represented in early Interstate matches in Australian rules footballInterstate matches in Australian rules football
Australian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
, before being incorporated into the QLD/NT and then Allies representative sides.
At Under 16 and Under 18 level, the territory fields teams in the national championships.
The Aboriginal All-Stars
Aboriginal All-Stars
The Indigenous All-Stars are an Australian rules football team composed purely of Indigenous Australians....
, a team composed of indigenous Australian players mostly from the AFL and all over the country, are based in Darwin. Darwin is also home of the Flying Boomerangs
Flying Boomerangs
The Flying Boomerangs are the underage Indigenous Australian Australian rules football team.The team has played tests against the South African national Australian rules football team in both Australia and South Africa and more recently against an underage Papua New Guinea, the first international...
, the junior indigenous side, who play an annual series against South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The Northern Territory Football Club
Northern Territory Football Club
Northern Territory Football Club, nicknamed The Thunder, is a Northern Territory-based Australian rules football club competing in the NEAFL Australian Rules Football competition.-History:...
formed in 2009 to play in the QAFL competition.
Participation
In 2007, there were 3,300 senior players and a total of 16,710 participants in the Northern Territory. The state has an overall participation rate in the sport per capita of 7%, making it the highest in the country. http://afl.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/article/205058bu.pdfThe Tiwi Islands
Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are part of Australia's Northern Territory, north of Darwin where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea. They comprise Melville Island and Bathurst Island, with a combined area of ....
is said to have the highest participation rate in Australia (35%) http://www.theage.com.au/news/northern-territory/even-a-cyclone-cant-stop-the-footy/2005/03/19/1111086063413.html.
Attendance Record
- 17,500 (2002). (AFL pre-season practice) Aboriginal All-StarsAboriginal All-StarsThe Indigenous All-Stars are an Australian rules football team composed purely of Indigenous Australians....
vs CarltonCarlton Football ClubThe Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. (Marrara OvalMarrara OvalMarrara Stadium is a sports ground in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The ground was built in 1991 and Australian rules football and Cricket are primarily played at the venue...
, DarwinDarwin, Northern TerritoryDarwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
)
Major Australian Rules Events in the Northern Territory
- Northern Territory Football LeagueNorthern Territory Football LeagueThe Northern Territory Football League is an 8 team Australian rules football semi-professional league operating in Darwin in the Northern Territory.The premier grade is the largest Australian rules football league in the Northern Territory...
Grand Final - Tiwi Islands Football LeagueTiwi Islands Football LeagueThe Tiwi Islands Football League is an Australian rules football competition in the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.Australian Rules football is the most popular sport on the Tiwi Islands....
Grand Final - Arafura GamesArafura GamesThe Arafura Games is a Multi-sport event held every 2 years in the Australian city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory. It is an international event which draws its competitors from around the world. First held in 1991, the most recent Games, held in 2009, involved over 30 nations and over 3,000...
(quadrennial) - Australian Football LeagueAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Premiership Season (Bulldogs 'home' games)
Great Northern Territory Footballers
Over the years, the Northern Territory has produced an amazing array of talent for elite leagues such as 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...
and South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
, including many indigenous Australian players. Greats include Maurice Rioli
Maurice Rioli
Maurice Rioli was an Australian rules football player best known for his time spent with the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League...
, Michael Long, Daryl White, Ronnie Burns
Ronnie Burns (footballer)
Ronnie Paul Burns is a former indigenous Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club and Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League ....
, David Kantilla
David Kantilla
David Kantilla was an Australian rules footballer who is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian to play in the South Australian National Football League. Throughout his footballing career he was known by his 'Anglo' name David Kantilla but also had his tribal name of Amparralamtua.Kantilla...
, Dean Rioli
Dean Rioli
Dean Rioli is an indigenous former Australian rules football player who spent his whole professional career with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League....
and Nathan Buckley
Nathan Buckley
Nathan Charles Buckley is a former professional Australian rules football player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain of the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
.
Notable NT Players in the AFL
- Andrew McLeodAndrew McLeodAndrew Luke McLeod is a former Australian rules footballer for the Adelaide Football Club. He is the games record holder for Adelaide, having played 340 games....
- Aaron DaveyAaron DaveyAaron Davey is a professional Australian rules football player of Indigenous Australian heritage. He currently plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
- Joel BowdenJoel BowdenJoel Bowden was an Australian rules footballer with the Richmond Football Club in the AFL. In 2007, he was declared the new president of the AFL Players Association....
- Peter BurgoynePeter BurgoynePeter Gabriel Burgoyne is a former Australian rules footballer with Port Adelaide in the Australian Football League. He played primarily in midfield and on the half back flank.-Early life:...
- Matthew WhelanMatthew WhelanMatthew Whelan is a former professional Australian rules football player.Wearing the number 45 jersey, Whelan was reliable defender/back pocket known by Demons fans simply as the "Wheels". He also earned the nickname "Wrecker" for his big hits and tough and uncompromisingly defensive style of...
- Jared BrennanJared BrennanJared Brennan is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League.-Early life:...
- Jason Roe
- Xavier ClarkeXavier ClarkeXavier Clarke is an Indigenous Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League . Formerly playing for St Kilda, at the send of the 2009 season he was traded to the Brisbane Lions.-Early life:...
- Malcolm LynchMalcolm LynchMalcolm Lynch is an Australian rules footballer who last played with the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League .Originally from the Tiwi Islands, he has played football in the Northern Territory where he grew up....
- Anthony CorrieAnthony CorrieAnthony Corrie is an Australian rules footballer who has previously played for the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League , and is currently without a team....
- Trent HentschelTrent HentschelTrent Hentschel was an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He was taken in the 2002 Pre-season Draft at pick No.5...
- Richard TamblingRichard TamblingRichard Tambling is an Australian rules footballer who plays in the Australian Football League. He was drafted to the Richmond Football Club with the fourth selection in the 2004 AFL Draft and played 108 games for them before being traded to Adelaide during the 2010 AFL Trade Week.-Early...
- Raphael ClarkeRaphael ClarkeRaphael Clarke is an Australian rules footballer for the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League . He is the brother of Brisbane utility Xavier Clarke, who was also a St Kilda player from 2002 until 2009....
- Daniel MotlopDaniel MotlopDaniel Motlop is an Indigenous Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League.- Kangaroos career :...
- Matthew Stokes
- Cyril RioliCyril RioliCyril Rioli is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League...
- Cameron StokesCameron StokesCameron Stokes was a Australian rules football player listed for the Hawthorn Football Club. Stokes was recruited to the Hawks via the 2007 AFL rookie draft, selected at pick 54. He made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2008 AFL season, alongside fellow Northern Territorian Cyril Rioli...
- Austin WonaeamirriAustin WonaeamirriAustin Wonaeamirri is a professional Australian rules football player of indigenous origin. He previously played for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League .-Early life:...
Regional Leagues
- Central Australian Football LeagueCentral Australian Football LeagueThe Central Australian Football League is an Australian rules football competition operating out of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Australia.The CAFL organises the annual Ngurratjuta Town Vs Country Challenge event and local Rec Footy competitions....
- Northern Territory Champions LeagueNorthern Territory Champions LeagueThe Northern Territory Champions League is an Australian rules football competition held in Central Australia. The league debuted during the 2006 season of the Central Australian Football League...
- Northern Territory Champions League
- Barkley & District Football LeagueBarkley & District Football LeagueThe Barkley & District Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Australia.-Current Clubs:*Sporties Football Club*Eagles Football Club*Ali Curung Football Club*Epenarra Football Club...
- Katherine District Football LeagueKatherine District Football LeagueThe Big Rivers Australian Football League is an Australian rules football competition in the Northern Territory, Australia based in the Katherine region.-Current Clubs:*Arnhem Crows Football Club...
- Gove Australian Football LeagueGove Australian Football LeagueThe Gove Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based on the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory.-Current Clubs:*Cats Football Club*Djerrak Football Club*Gopu Football Club*Walkabout Football Club-See also:...
- Tiwi Islands Football LeagueTiwi Islands Football LeagueThe Tiwi Islands Football League is an Australian rules football competition in the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.Australian Rules football is the most popular sport on the Tiwi Islands....
Women's
- Northern Territory Women's Aussie Rules Football AssociationNorthern Territory Women's Aussie Rules Football AssociationThe Northern Territory Women's Aussie Rules Football Association is the governing body of the sport of Women's Australian rules football in the Northern Territory.-History:...
Official Site
Masters
- Masters Australian Football NT Official Site