What is Australian
Rules Football? Australian Rules Football (also "Aussie
Rules" or " footy") is a physical contact sport.
It is a form of football with roots traceable from early forms
of Rugby and Gaelic football, but it is uniquely Australian.
Its rules were codified in 1858, and probably predate all other
modern forms of football, such as American, Canadian, Rugby
Union and League, Association (Soccer) and Gaelic football.
Today it is a multi-million dollar business, with a National
Competition and numerous smaller leagues. Interest in the game
is generally at an all time high within and outside Australia.
The game is beginning to receive more recognition outside of
Australia. In America, people have heard of Australian Rules
Football, but normally compare it with Rugby or Soccer, which
is not an accurate comparison
Where
is Aussie Rules played? Australia is divided into 6 states and
2 territories. Aussie Rules is the main code of football in
Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and
the Northern Territory and has a strong following in the Australian
Capital Territory. The AFL provides financial or practical assistance
to leagues in Britain, Canada, Denmark, Japan, New Zealand,
and here in the USA. The United States Australian Football League
(USAFL) is comprised of forty teams in three divisions throughout
America. Additionally, the Revolution is an All-Star team of
Americans from around the country playing Australian Football
and competing with national teams from around the world.
