Australian rules football in Fiji

Last updated

Australian rules football in Fiji
CountryFiji
Governing body AFL Fiji
National team(s) Fiji
First played1963, Suva
Audience records
Season Fijian Australian Football League

The sport of Australian rules football has been played in Fiji since at least 1963, when an exhibition was held in Suva.

Contents

Fiji has produced several professional players for the Australian Football League, however organised Australian rules did not begin there until 2009.

The governing body for the sport on the islands is AFL Fiji, created in 2009. [1]

History

An Australian rules exhibition was held at Suva in 1963. [2] In 1965, St Kilda Football Club returned to Fiji as part of a proposed biennial end of season trip, but declined to further promote the game there.

The first television broadcasts of matches by the Australia Network began in 2002. In the period 2004–2008, a proposal for a serious ongoing Australian Rules football competition was mooted by former Fiji Police Commissioner, Andrew Hughes. Hughes had played footy at various amateur levels in Australia and was keen to promote it when he arrived in Fiji to take up his post as the nation's top cop. In mid-2004, Hughes, based in Suva, called a meeting within the Fiji police force of officers interested in assisting with his vision of using the force itself as the basis for developing and promoting a local footy competition. According to one who was present at that initial meeting in the Police Officers Mess, ‘Hughes himself was to be the trainer and teacher’ of the new code. A second meeting was held in Lautoka for interested officers based in the West. According to the Police Public Relations Officer at the time, Mesake Koroi, ‘many top rugby players joined in and it started off well, but there was no one except Hughes to run the [programme], so it was hard because, of course, he had other police work to attend to’. This then was the first effort to establish the sport in Fiji. [3] The Fijian Australian Football Association was formed as a governing body but the sheer weight of workload for Hughes meant the FAFA went into recess without creating an organised league. (A failed bid was made for inclusion of the sport into the 2007 South Pacific Games held in Fiji. [4] ). Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs became the first AFL club to actively scouting for recruits in Fiji. [5] This project was later announced to begin with open trials in Suva and Labasa in October of that year 2004. 16 year-old Solomon Loki and 19 year-old Inoke Ratu were added to the Western Bulldogs International scholarship lists. They were not able to take up their offers regrettably because of visa obstructions arising out of Fiji's 2006 coup.

Additionally, in early 2005, representatives the Fiji Daily Post (FDP) newspaper (Alan Hckling publisher; Mesake Koroi then general manager; and editor Robert Wolfgramm), met with Police Commissioner Hughes to alert him of their interest in promoting the code and to work with other like-minded locals and expats by giving publicity to footy through the newspaper. As the 2005 pre-season began, Melbourne-based footy enthusiast, Lex Neander, began filing match summaries for the FDP. His column soon turned into a weekly full page run every Tuesday which continued until the end of the 2008 Australian footy season.

In 2008 meanwhile, pushing footy in Fiji then fell to Fiji-born, David Rodan jnr, the professional player who began with Richmond but was then with Port Adelaide football club. David had long expressed an interest in bringing the code to Fiji and was anointed the AFL's official ambassador for the code. In 2008 his plans were shared with fellow Port Adelaide recruit, Alipate Carlile, and physical education teacher and wife-to-be, Carla Di Pasquale. Together they explored the possibility of Port Adelaide football club joining with him to re-establish the code here in Fiji by means of a new body - ‘AFL Fiji’. In a historic presentation to the PA football club, the Rodan-led trio outlined a proposed logo, a playing strip, and a timeline for establishing the code in Fiji. The trio also outlined where the Hughes initiative failed, and proposed a strategy for future success. The AFL accepted the grand design of his vision and partnered Rodan's initiative with their representative, Andrew Cadzow, who was overseeing "AFL Asia-Pacific" in Brisbane.

In July 2009, Andrew arrived at Suva's Holiday Inn on behalf of the AFL with a brief to develop a plan and establish a steering committee to drive the Rodan-inspired vision into reality. The chief question because Rodan was still playing footy in Australia, was who on the ground would take the interest in footy to concretise it, give it substance, make it work. In response to a newspaper advertisement, fifteen Fiji locals turned up on the July 10th and 11th to hear what Andrew cadzow proposed. Apologies to the meeting were received from David Rodan snr, David Rodan jnr, Carla Di Pasquale, John and Marilyn (from Levuka homestay), and Mareta (from Iwala Events). But among those present were Peter Fulcher, Damian Ames and Pam, Nemani and Biri Rokobuli, Lia Ratu and son Inoke, Vasenai Loki and son Solo, Caroline Narruhn and son Joseph, and Lupe Wolfgramm and her sons, Max and Dylan (who had playing experience as juniors in Melbourne beforehand). From this formative group, Damian Ames was appointed inaugural Chairman. Pam, the Rokobuli and Loki families, as well as Caroline Narruhn were nominated to the Steering Committee.

During the meeting, Cadzow also outlined a future for an "AFL Fiji" that could potentially involve a calendar of events packed with school programmes, talent searches, Auskick/Fijikick rollouts, the presence of a youth ambassador, corporate sponsorships, and participation in Oceania and International Cup championships – all to be overseen by a structured AFL Fiji steering committee and advisory board. The immediate aim was to get up and running, organised and operational, by September 2009, with an official AFL Fiji launch in October as part of the inaugural David Rodan Cup Under 16s competition. That inter-school competition would serve as a filter for local players to join a new national team to compete in December 2009, in an inaugural Under 16s Oceania Cup championships hosted in Fiji.

After the AFL creation of the "AFL Oceania" in Australia in 2008, Fiji was identified as a major target for Australian rules football development in the region. AFL Fiji's formation in mid-2009, by the creation of national committee. [1] In August (2009), Dylan Wolfgramm was selected to be Fiji's representative in an Oceania Under 23 team to play exhibition matches in Cairns on the occasion of the sitting of the Pacific Islands Forum there. Kevin Rudd and other leaders were present to witness the Mal Michael-coached Oceania team win a match against a North Queensland representative side. In September (2009) a newly formed AFL Fiji Steering Committee met at the Holiday Inn and comprised: Tony Moore, Jordan Moore, Lupe Wolfgramm, Max Wolfgramm, Dylan Wolfgramm, Inoke Ratu, Lia Ratu, Solo Loki, Vasenai Loki, Damian Ames, Alex Hales (from the Fiji Daily Post), Caroline Narruhn, Joseph Narruhn, David Rodan Snr, David Rodan Jnr, and Carla Di Pasquale. The meeting settled dates for a forthcoming official launch of AFL Fiji and to set dates for and inaugural "David Rodan Cup" and inter-Pacific "Oceania Cup". ‘Super-clinics’ were also planned at Marist, Grammar, Dudley, Cathedral, International, Laucala Bay and Gospel secondary schools, along with training of development officers necessary for completing the preparatory skilling tasks. Volunteers were assigned for finding sponsorships, game venues, and maintaining the media profile of AFL Fiji.

In the second week of October 2009, the AFL's Andrew Cadzow arrived and co-launched "AFL Fiji". Coinciding with this, Chris Maple and others from the Western Bulldogs Football Club had begun running footy clinics and searches at various locations around Fiji. “With their rugby background they’re used to physical contact, they’re athletic, and from what I’ve seen today they’re very hard working – all the traits needed for AFL football,” Maple told Dale Carruthers, a Canadian journalist attached to the Fiji Daily Post newspaper. New AFL Fiji chairman, Damian Ames, also told the newspaper that Fiji was an ideal ground for introducing the code - “It’s an untapped source of athletes,” Ames said. But the major challenges of introducing the code Damian admitted was that “rugby is so entrenched here [in Fiji].” Ames, Cadzow and other supporters attended and co-supervised clinics held at Suva Grammar School on 14 October, and later at Marist Brothers, while Bulldog representatives Maple and crew were at Yat Sen School doing their talent search.

Following these first tentative steps to gauge local interest, on Friday 16 October 2009, AFL Fiji was modestly, officially and publicly launched with about thirty in attendance in the Banyan Room at Suva's Holiday Inn. Australia's High Commissioner, James Batley, kindly accepted my invitation to do the honours with best wishes for the future. Three days later, 19 October, the Diwali Day public holiday, Fiji "first footy carnival" leading to the "David Rodan Cup" was held. At the end of round-robin matches, the inaugural cup was awarded to Laucala Bay Secondary College, with Runners Up Suva Grammar School; and 3rd Place to Cathedral Secondary School, with 4th Place: Gospel High School. From these four teams, a "Fiji Power" squad was picked to contest the forthcoming inaugural "Oceania Cup" to be held in December (2009). The squad was named as: Laijiasa Bolenaivalu, Fuata Silisoma, Ropate Tobe, Darryll Arthur-Valentine, Jonathan Chongkit, Jiuta Vateitei, Viliame Tuni, Esekia Gibbons, Joeli Logavatu, Gabriel Ledua, Eroni Niumataiwalu, Anasa Yabaki, Wilson Kacivi, Penisoni Tuiova, Richard Niulevu, Semisi Apakuki, Sisa Qarikau, Kinivuwai Nanovo, Paula Rokotuiloma, Samuela Delai, Semi Tikoitoga, Titus Raihman, Ledua Tuberi, Mesake Dakai, Yabaki Cakautini, John Tuivanuakula, Solo Ratu, Dylan Wolfgramm, and Luke Gucake.

The inaugural ‘Under 16 Oceania Cup’ was held at Cathedral Secondary School grounds, 11–13 December (2009). Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji teams competed. In blustery weather, the fiercely but fairly contested Cup went to Tonga. All Pacific teams would head to Tonga in 2010. In the meantime, footy clinics were conducted in schools around the Suva-Nausori area with training sessions organised weekly at Albert Park in downtown Suva.

In 2010, a schools tournament was held, with more than 80 students from 14 different schools in Suva and Nausori represented in six teams that played round robin matches. [6] The "Fiji Power" national team made its first appearance at the Under 16 Oceania Cup in Tonga in December 2010. [7]

A senior team entered the 2011 Australian Football International Cup and were highly successful, taking the Division 2 title after dominating the Grand Final against France. [8]

A local league with four teams (Nausori Cats, Raiwaqa Bulldogs, Suva City Swans and Suva Lions) has since commenced. [9]

In October 2022, the Australian government announced its commitment to a support package for the sport in Fiji. [10]

National team

Men's team

Fiji
Flag of Fiji.svg
Nickname(s)Tribe
Governing body AFL Fiji
Rankings
CurrentSteady2.svg 14th (as of October 2022 [11] )
International Cup
Appearances3 (first in 2011)
Best result8th (2017)

The Fiji men's national Australian rules football team has competed in the Australian Football International Cup three times, finishing 13th in 2011, 10th in 2014 and 8th in 2017.

Results

International Cup
YearPlaceChange
201113thSteady2.svg
201410thIncrease2.svg 3
20178thIncrease2.svg 2

Women's team

Fiji
Flag of Fiji.svg
Nickname(s)Vonu
Governing body AFL Fiji
Rankings
CurrentSteady2.svg 5th (as of October 2022 [12] )
International Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2014)
Best result5th (2014)

The Fiji women's national Australian rules football team has competed in the Australian Football Women's International Cup twice, finishing 5th in 2014 and 6th in 2017.

Results

International Cup
YearPlaceChange
20145thSteady2.svg
20176thDecrease2.svg 1

Notable players

Men's

Currently on an AFL senior list
PlayerConnection to FijiAFL Years*AFL Matches*AFL Goals*
Atu Bosenavulagi Born [13] 2019-111
Esava Ratugolea Parents [14] 2017-5938
Nathan Freeman Parent [15] 2014-201821
Aaron Hall Mother [16] 2012-14793
Tom Nicholls Mother2011-457
Nic Naitanui Parents [16] 2009 -213112
Alipate Carlile Born, mother2006-20171675
Setanta Ó hAilpín Mother (Rotuman)2005 - 20138882
Aisake Ó hAilpín Mother2004-2008- [17] -
David Rodan Born, to Fijian-born Tongan mother and Tongan father [18] [19] [16] 2002 - 2013185131
Wes Fellowes Mother1981–198910228
Charlie Moore Born1897–18993034

Women's

Currently on an AFLW senior list
PlayerConnection to FijiAFLW Years*AFLW Matches*AFLW Goals*
Helen Roden Born [20] 201710

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suva</span> Capital and largest city of Fiji

Suva is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Fiji-related articles</span>

Articles about people, places, things, and concepts related to or originating from Fiji, include:

The Australian Football International Cup is a triennial international tournament in Australian rules football. It is the biggest international tournament in the sport that is open to all nations. More than 26 nations have participated and the competition has expanded into multiple pools and both men and women's divisions. At the time of the last tournament in 2017, the sport had a record 170,744 registered players outside Australia growing at a rate of 25 per cent per annum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Australian rules football</span>

The Geography of Australian rules football describes the sport of Australian rules football played in more than 60 countries around the world. By 2017 more than 26 nations had contested the Australian Football International Cup, the highest level of worldwide competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Rodan</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1983

David Rodan is an Australian rules football goal umpire and a retired professional footballer who played for the Richmond Tigers, Port Adelaide Power and the Melbourne Demons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Britain men's national Australian rules football team</span>

The Great Britain men's national Australian rules football team is known as the Great Britain Bulldogs. The team is made up of the best British born players selected from clubs of in England, Wales and Scotland, and occasional appearances from British players playing for clubs in Australia. In AFL Europe, separate national teams represent England, Wales and Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nauru national Australian rules football team</span>

The Nauru national Australian rules football team, nicknamed the Chiefs, represents Nauru in Australian rules football. Despite its small size and population, Nauru, which is the only country with AFL as its national sport, consistently ranks among the top eight teams in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rewa F.C.</span> Fijian football club

Rewa Football Club is a Fijian semi-professional football club based in Nausori, playing in the National Football League. Rewa's home ground is Foodcity Ratu Cakobau Park

Australian rules football in Samoa has been played since 1997.

Savusavu F.C. is a Fijian football team playing in the second division of the Fiji Football Association competitions. It is based in Savusavu, which is a situated on the southern side of the island of Vanua Levu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian rules football in Africa</span> List of AFL Leagues by country

Australian rules football in Africa is most organised in South Africa, although there are programs under development in many African nations including Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe and there are plans to introduce the sport into more African countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian rules football in Oceania</span>

Australian rules football in Oceania is the sport of Australian rules football as it is watched and played in the Oceanian continent. The regional governing and development body is AFL South Pacific it is affiliated to the AFL Commission and was formed in 2008.

Rugby union is the most popular sport in Fiji ; however, rugby league, netball, and association football are also widely played. Various forms of traditional boat racing and wrestling are also popular.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport in Oceania</span>

Sport in Oceania varies from country to country. The most popular playing sport for men in Australia is Australian rules football, while for women is netball. Australian rules football is the most popular sport in terms of spectatorship and television ratings. Rugby union is the most popular sport among New Zealanders, while in Papua New Guinea rugby league is the most popular. Cricket is another popular sport throughout the Oceania region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deans Trophy</span>

The Deans Trophy is the most prestigious and oldest sports award among Fiji Secondary Schools sporting competitions. The boys rugby union annual competition was first introduced in 1939 and is the oldest tournament in the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inoke Male</span> Rugby player

Inoke Male, is a Fijian former rugby union footballer and former head coach of the Fijian national side. He played in the position of Number eight, but could also play Flanker during his playing career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen Roden</span> Australian rules footballer

Helen Gloria Roden is a professional athlete who played for college basketball club TCU Horned Frogs and for Australian rules football club Collingwood in the AFL Women's (AFLW).

The 2020 Fiji Premier League was the 44th season of the Fiji Premier League, the top-tier football league in Fiji organized by the Fiji Football Association since its establishment in 1977. The season began on 1 February 2020.Ba are the defending champions.

The 2022 OFC Women's Nations Cup was the 12th edition of the OFC Women's Nations Cup, the quadrennial international football championship organised by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) for the women's national teams of the Oceanian region. It was originally scheduled from July to August 2022, but was moved to January and February to accommodate changes to the FIFA Women's International Match Calendar. The OFC announced on 4 March 2021 that it was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on 29 April 2022 announced that Fiji would host the tournament from 13 to 30 July.

The 2003 Pacific Games women's football tournament was the inaugural edition of Pacific Games women's football tournament. The competition was held in Fiji from 30 June to 10 July 2003.

References

  1. 1 2 AFL Fiji meetings planned
  2. "Football forgotten in Fiji". The Canberra Times . Vol. 40, no. 11, 282. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 9 October 1965. p. 27. Retrieved 4 March 2022 via National Library of Australia.
  3. Fiji footy gets the ball rolling
  4. Football's South Pacific Paradise by Brett Northey for World Footy News. September 04 2004
  5. Bulldogs look for island treasures
  6. Hawks win AFL David Rodan Cup
  7. Fiji names final squad for Under 16 Oceania Cup
  8. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-fiji-tribe-conquering-at-afl-international-cup The Fiji Tribe conquering at AFL International Cup (SBS.com.au)
  9. Reaching new frontiers.(Sport). (2013-03-09). In The Age (Melbourne, Australia). 18.
  10. Penny Wong introduces Pacific AFL partnership to boost bilateral relations - as she jets off to Nauru and Marshall Islands by Ewa Staszewska for Sky News Australia 12 October 2022
  11. "World Footy News World Rankings post 2022 European Championships - World Footy News".
  12. "World Footy News Women's World Rankings post 2022 European Championships - World Footy News".
  13. "Fiji born Bosenavulagi to make AFL debut tonight – FBC News".
  14. "Esava rocks Aussie Rules". sheppnews.com.au. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  15. AFLPA multicultural map
  16. 1 2 3 "Latest AFL News, features and breaking AFL News". Sportal. 9 October 2014. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  17. "Ohailpins AFL Shift". Heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  18. 118 players with multicultural background on AFL lists
  19. "Former players from all corners of the world celebrate AFL multicultural round". Herald Sun. 20 July 2014.
  20. Cavanagh, Chris (30 January 2017). "Helen Roden returns to football after decade playing, coaching basketball in USA". Herald Sun .