Australian Rules Football, Aussie Rules or simply "footy" as it is known in Australia, is a unique brand of football from, as it's name suggest, Australia.
It is a dynamic, action-packed form of football which, as the name suggests, originates from Australia. And despite its southern heritage, this exciting and physical sport is spreading quickly across Europe.
The rules are quite different to "traditional" football - the main differences being that, in Australian Rules Football, the ball is of oval shape... you can use your hands to catch or "mark" the ball... you can punch the ball... you can pass in any direction... there is no offside... up to 18 players per team can participate and a normal score is around 100 points!!
It is often confused with Rugby, but it is very different. Unlike this, and many other forms of football, players begin the match in their positions all across an oval shaped field. The field can be up to 180 metres long with 4 goal posts at each end. 6 points are scored when the ball is kicked through the middle goal posts, and 1 point is scored when the ball goes through the outer goal posts.
It is a game of frequent scoring, physical contests and there is no offside. Players can move the ball towards their teams' goal by means of kicking, carrying or "hand passing", which involves punching the ball with a closed fist.
Players may also tackle a player who is carrying the ball, though only between the shoulders and the waist. Dangerous play and fouls are penalised with a free kick and the player may then kick the ball forward without any challenge from his opponent.
Its high energy and fast paced action make it the no.1 spectator sport in Australia!!
Aussie Rules is fast becoming known as one of the most action packed and toughest sports all over the world.
AFL Promotional video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_hqosNvv5E
www.youtube.com/watch?v=65NdEJDNNfE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx_nZhqfx68
Hope everyone is doing well and winter has been kind to you. As the new Czech AFL season is now upon us (training is underway on Wednesdays - see Fixtures & Results for details) it is time we welcomed back all the returning players from last year, plus all the new players who will be joining us for the first time this season. So far the turnout has been sensational, with no less than 20 players attending preseason training at each of the Thursday sessions so far.
In previous years CAFL has been focused on putting together a team from Prague to play matches against teams from other countries such as Austria and Croatia in various international tournaments. Whilst this is still planned for 2010, our major focus will be to further develop the CAFL League competition with regular games here in Prague. We will be showcasing League games with 4 teams for the second season of the Czech League. These games will be played on weekends at the Sparta Rugby Ground with a quiet refreshment afterwards.
Unfortunately, putting together a league, getting together equipment etc., does cost a fair bit of money. For this reason it is necessary to charge playing fees. Included in this price are all training sessions and all Czech League games. This upfront price averages out slightly cheaper than paying per session.
For those who join later in the season a reduced prorata rate will be charged depending how far into the season they join. Also for new players who come down to try the game out there will be no charge for the first 3 sessions. If, after that, they decide they would like to become a regular then a partial prorata fee for the remainder of the season will be required.
Finally as part of building an all round club atmosphere we will be also planning more CAFL social events which will not just be for players but for anyone who would like to join in, ie: friends, wives, girlfriends, spectators, anyone. Information about these events will be sent out by email well ahead of time and posted on this site.
Kind regards and all the best for the 2010 Aussie Rules Season.
Mike Gouteff
CAFL President