Footy in India

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TWLS

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Found this to be quite amazing. Not sure what is happening to be honest.

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Good find - We think it maybe one of these matches but not sure. The description of the match looks right.
http://aflindia.org/india-vs-australian-masters/
There is an increasing amount of development activity going on up there, which is not being tracked currently.
 

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RedV3x

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Found this to be quite amazing. Not sure what is happening to be honest.

Sometimes the Australian High Commission thinks it's good to stage an Australian Football game in association with some event such as trade talks.
The A.H.C. is similarly responsible in part for games in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and also the U.S.A.
 

BringBackTorps

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Whilst the 2 Links at the end relate to the development of AF in Pakistan, & locally in Melb., there are synergies between the 2 countries (English speaking middle class, many big ovals). It is EXTRAORDINARY that Pakistan is also sending a women's team to the 2017 IC in Melb. in August- they will probably be flogged, as their development is very recent.
There are far more people of Indian background in Australia cf. to Pakistan. However, the Pakistani community in Melb. receives support from Australian Lebanese Muslims -many of whom play local AF at a high standard.

The Pakistani Shaheens men's team plays irregularly in Melb., local Multicultural Cup etc. -but there is speculation that, if its standards continue to improve, it might eventually join the VAFA.

(Masala FC, VAFA, co-founded by Indian-Australians & Euro.-Australians in 2012, is improving each year, but still struggles on field. It has succeeded in forming a vibrant, multicultural club, & is growing. See:-
www.masalafc.com.au)

There is a good, friendly rivalry developing between the local AF Indian & Pakistani communities. More info. on the Shaheens:-

https://www.facebook.com/Pkshaheens/

http://www.shaheens.com.au/
 
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RedV3x

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Whilst the 2 Links at the end relate to the development of AF in Pakistan, & locally in Melb., there are synergies between the 2 countries (English speaking middle class, many big ovals). It is EXTRAORDINARY that Pakistan is also sending a women's team to the 2017 IC in Melb. in August- they will probably be flogged, as their development is very recent.
There are far more people of Indian background in Australia cf. to Pakistan. However, the Pakistani community in Melb. receives support from Australian Lebanese Muslims -many of whom play local AF at a high standard.

The Pakistani Shaheens men's team plays irregularly in Melb., local Multicultural Cup etc. -but there is speculation that, if its standards continue to improve, it might eventually join the VAFA.

(Masala FC, co-founded by Indian- Australians & Euro.-Australians in 2012, is improving each year, but still struggles on field. It has succeeded in forming a vibrant, multicultural club, & is growing. See:-
www.masalafc.com.au)

There is a good, friendly rivalry developing between the local AF Indian & Pakistani communities. More info. on the Shaheens:-

https://www.facebook.com/Pkshaheens/

http://www.shaheens.com.au/

Yes, in 2014 it was the Shaheens and in 2017 it will be the Dragoons. There is also the PAFL and the AFLP.
 

TWLS

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Still cannot find the result of the 2 matches played up there on the weekend between the Indian National team and a Australian Masters team.
Going by photos on various sites these fixtures were a bit of a big deal with several Dignitaries attending, formal presentations and a big crowd.
They were promoted as the first International Matches of our game in India.
The article below talks about a young Indian man -Kanishk Kumar- with good Australian/Indian business connections who has joined the board of AFL India.
It is a big tick for the game if it can attract people like him.
http://aflindia.org/kanishk-kumar-joins-arfai/
 

TWLS

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A couple of items about footy in India.
The match recently between the Australian Masters Squad and the Indian National Team resulted in a win for the Masters Team. We have no scores.

The Indian Squad for IC17 left up there on the 27th and it looks like 13 players were in the group photo at the airport. Do not know if they came in 2 groups.
 

TWLS

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We will take a look at India and their progress in IC17.
Here is a Country with a huge population, and their sports activities are varied.
India is in Pool B Div 2 along with Japan, Germany, Pakistan.
The team has battled hard but has found the going pretty tough because Japan and Germany have dominated their Pool.
However the Indians have something to look forward to - Their Pool match against Pakistan on August 11 at 7pm at Golden Square.
These two countries have a huge sports rivalry going back years, and this match should bring out the expats in big numbers.
Looking at the results it appears that Pakistan is slightly more advanced than their Sub-Continent neighbours.

Looking forward it is hoped that they both get involved more with AFL Asia which will bring positive stuff to both countries, and the game in India will take time to develop also.
We do not know much about Pakistan but they have now updated their Web Site and Facebook, and they appear to be keenly involved back in their Country with teams now spread across the various Cities.
Its like shaking seeds from a tree and you never know which ones will take root, and Pakistan is a bonus seed for us.
 

RedV3x

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Their Pool match against Pakistan on August 11 at 7pm at Golden Square.
These two countries have a huge sports rivalry going back years, and this match should bring out the expats in big numbers.

That's an angle that could leverage development.

We do not know much about Pakistan .

Unfortunately They are still are largely Shaheens not Dragoons in the men's.
 

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TWLS

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This is an article on the AFL India web site.
It covers their match against Pakistan at IC17, and discusses various items including Visas for overseas players, which created problems for AFL House.
It also talks about IC14 and their match against Pakistan and how that country fielded all locally located players at that time.
There is no doubt a rivalry is continuing to build in our game between these 2 Countries, and why not because it extends to many sports.

http://aflindia.org/india-lose-out-a-thriller-against-pakistan-shaheens/
 

TWLS

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Reclink India is the group developing the game in Mumbai. This year they held their inaugral AFL9s 6 team Mumbai Footy League in March/April/May.
They plan to move on to other centres and expand the sport, with a similar format.
Recently they held a general meeting to plan for next years activities, when all of their staff met.
To recap - They have separated from the AFL India organisation, and will continue on with their targets.

AFL India to date have held Annual Championships only. We are not sure what occurs between those Champ`s.
AFL India competed in the recent IC17 in Melbourne, and battled hard against tough opponents, and in the future will the two groups jointly select a team for IC20 onwards.
 
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TWLS

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Last November the Bengal Tigers Footy Club hosted three AFL India Interns from Flinders Uni, South Australia in the district of Hooghly West Bengal.
The Interns who are studying various Sciences, and who are all playing the game in Adelaide were soon coaching on their first day, and remarked that the children were very keen and happy.
They will be in India for a month overall and will later journey on to Odisha State where they will coach the Odisha Swans Footy Club.
Odisha (formerly Orissa), an eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, is known for its tribal cultures and its many ancient Hindu temples. The capital is Bhubaneswar. It adjoins West Bengal.
The trip was organised by AFL India and in West Bengal -Rakesh Ghosh and Harris Jamal.

The PM Malcolm Turnbull visited India last April on a full State trip.
Sports co-operation was on his full agenda, and apparently he signed a deal for a Sports University to be set up over there based on our A.I.S with assistance from the Victoria University and the University of Canberra in Australia.
Indian Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar was in the deal, and hopefully with the Victoria Uni involved our game gets invited to participate even though the sport is at grassroots levels currently in India.
Are you listening AFL House.

Andrew Hunter from the AFL Port Powers push into China has written an article linking our game to any future Sporting Co-operation with India.
http://www.theweek.in/features/soci...ralian-football-build-bridges-with-india.html
 

TWLS

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The ARFAI 2018 National Championships are being held on Jan 6/7.
There will be 8 Indian States represented -15 teams - 180 players - 2 Divisions. The Eighth State - Bihar - was added this year.
Venue - Bharatiya Vidya Bhaven School ground- Salt Lake City (Bihannagan)- West Bengal.
This Grassroots Comp is held every year and appears to be expanding with 8 States involved, and has not received much media coverage/publicity, and funding needs a boost in India.
AFL India will be involved overall in the event, and 2 AFL Clubs also are planning to eventually hold a game in India.
Perhaps the mooted introduction of AFLX may generate much more interest.
We do not know if Reclink India are assisting in any way.
 

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2 AFL Clubs also are planning to eventually hold a game in India.
Perhaps the mooted introduction of AFLX may generate much more interest.
We do not know if Reclink India are assisting in any way.

If a whole season of AFL generates this outcome; if an AFL game in India produces another outcome;
then how much interest is going to be generated by a short tournament ?
How much interest is going to be generated in India by a short tournament in Australia if it is not broadcast in India ?
Major change results only from investment and the a.t.m. the AFL has stated it has no timeline for India.

Without broadcast O/S or investment O/S the situation will remain as the current football development from organic growth.
Organic growth is mainly the result of amateur volunteers that at some stage fell in love with Australian Football
and in that respect any new football is starting from scratch.
 

TWLS

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The Jharkhand Crows Seniors and Juniors teams have won the 6th ARFAI National Championship for 2018.
The Jharkhand Crows Seniors won the Grand Final by defeating four time Champions the Bengal Tigers, who had won the first four ARFAI Titles.
Scores; 6 goals 5 behinds -41 pts to 3 goals 2 behinds -20 points and it was the second consecutive National Title for the Crows.
The Crows Seniors were Captained by Max Martin Tirkey (Mahesh Tirkey), who is a big AFL Adelaide Crows fan.

The Junior Title was also won by the Jharkhand Crows who defeated the Bengal Tigers.
The Junior Crows have dominated this Division since its inception in 2015 having won all four Titles.
Scores; Jharkhand Crows 4 goals 3 behinds – 27 pts.
Bengal Tigers 3 goals 5 behinds – 23 pts.
The Crows Juniors were Captained by Sachin Kachhap..

It appears the two clubs above are currently dominating the Grassroots footy world up there, however with 8 Indian States involved that will change over time
We did not realise that they were the 6TH Championship to be held which maybe indicates some sustained support at what level financially we do not know exactly, but you dont have to be a genius to work out the level. The answer lies in the next sentence.
Sudip Chakraborty is the long time stalwart of Indian mainland footy and conducts fund raising events in the Indian expat football Community in Melbourne, and in other avenues, such as the AFL Essendon Club and the Bendigo Footy League.

What we would like to see is another AFL club organise a Port Adelaide/AFL/China type project and get involved in India.
The likely contenders for this move forward are AFL Adelaide Crows and AFL Essendon Bombers who have been talking about organising a game in India for 2 years??? at a major Cricket Venue.
Just for Starters there are 49 International Standard Cricket Grounds alone plus hundreds of minor grounds scattered around India, which includes Schools.

Background;
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. The state shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Chhattisgarh to the west, Odisha to the south, and West Bengal to the east.
The area above is a bit of a hotspot for our game having a footy presence in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal, which can assist development all being neighbours.
Sources – AFL India and other media.
 

RedV3x

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The stuff of progress.

"Reclink India is now fully equipped to deliver it's school programs across the country with their new gear. Kids now get a visual presentation of the game before they experience the joy of playing it on the field. Thanks Reclink Australia and @thephillipsfoundationau India Unbound for funding our new tech gear! Let's do this!! #ReclinkIndia50kSchoolProgram#WeAreGrowing #Includtheunincluded"
 

TWLS

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This is a long overdue update on our game in India.
The AFL Essendon footy club continues to strengthen its ties to the sport over there.
The article talks about many items but the 2019 National Indian Championships will feature 200 selected players from the quoted 11,000 player base.
That figure shows healthy growth is occurring, and should be maintained.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2...vNEC0hXYJZZxcf_XaRT7UtHOmxFzIWi0ya_M9vfAPsNYQ

Recently the Odisha Swans who are in the Footy Association of Odisha held a series of exhibition matches at the Bholagadia Mini Stadium in Mayurbhani, Orissa.
The crowd was given as over 20,000 people -The photos of the crowd showed a mixed group of all ages watching.

Odisha (formerly Orissa), an eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, is known for its tribal cultures and its many ancient Hindu temples.
Mayurbhani is located in the Northern area of Odisha State.
Bholagadia Mini Stadium is a lower tier Ground with minimal Stands. Interestingly videos of recent Soccer matches showed the same size crowd as the crowd at the exhibition game.

In our opinion India is open to our game and it will grow relative to the funding put in and learning about India geographically will be a challenge for a while.
The AFL is planning AFL exhibition matches up there likely in 2020.
 

TWLS

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Back again with updates.
The AFL India National Champs were held recently.
The Press conference beforehand had several media reps present who asked a lot of questions about the sport, and the comp also got coverage in local newspapers.
Jan 6 2019
We have a new National Champion in the Senior Division! The Bengal Tigers - Australian Rules Football defeated the Jharkhand Crows - Australian Football in the Grand Final with the score 60-8..
In the Junior division, the #Jharkhand Crows successfully defended their title 5th time in a row with a victory over #Bengal Tigers with the final score 32-13..

The following teams representing the various Indian States were present.
Jharkhand Crows - Australian Football, Bengal Tigers - Australian Rules Football. Odisha Swans - Australian Football, Bihar Bulldogs - Australian Football, Maharashtra Giants - Australian Football, Rajasthan Eagles AFL League, Kerala Bombers - Australian Football, Tamil Kangaroos - Australian Football, #TelanganaSaints

Bengal Tigers - Australian Rules Football is feeling excited.
1 February 2019
The birthplace of #AustralianRulesFootball in India is proudly going to launch -
First Footy #Academy in India!!
Organised by Murshidabad Footy (Murshidabad Footy Association) to facilitate the development of talented players from across the 12 districts of West Bengal playing the sport and the entire state in future.
Great work being done by all our state, district and local/lock leaders with continuous support from AFL India.
We would like to invite everyone in and around Murshidabad District to join us on the 3rd February at -GAMILA NABIN SANGHA.

An exhibition match will be played also -West Bengal v Murshidabad with 11 a side.
Very interesting this move which may indicate some maturity is occurring up there, and several districts involved. Of course the question arises where is any funding originating apart from AFL India.
A local Sponsor was mentioned so that is also good news for the future.
 

TWLS

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More updates.
There are two groups developing footy in India -AFL India and Reclink India and they are operating under the one umbrella.
Reclink are Mumbai based.

The @Monash Uni Cats vs the Indian Tigers @AFL match here in Mumbai recently. Tigers won by a couple of goals on the same dusty ground that Sachin Tendulkar player cricket on as a boy!
The photos indicated that the Cats had a mixed team and the Tigers were all local men.
They were competing to win the 2019 Melbourne Monash University Cup and Monash have been in India for several years.

Reclink India footy stalwart Sumesh Suwant recently tweeted a great figure for our game up there.
At the end of 2018 there were 15 Indian States that had a footy presence and that Womens participation was also increasing and that the AFLW was being promoted as well.
India has 29 States and 7 Territories so there is a fair bit of potential for our sport.

The AFL Richmond Tigers are increasingly getting involved up there with visits and their promotions of our great game, and are tipped to play up there sometime in the future.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2018-12-17/richmond-institutes-trip-to-india
 
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TWLS

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More updates.
There are two groups developing footy in India -AFL India and Reclink India and they are operating under the one umbrella.
Reclink are Mumbai based.

The @Monash Uni Cats vs the Indian Tigers @AFL match here in Mumbai recently. Tigers won by a couple of goals on the same dusty ground that Sachin Tendulkar player cricket on as a boy!
The photos indicated that the Cats had a mixed team and the Tigers were all local men.
They were competing to win the 2019 Melbourne Monash University Cup and Monash have been in India for several years.

Reclink India footy stalwart Sumesh Suwant recently tweeted a great figure for our game up there.
At the end of 2018 there were 15 Indian States that had a footy presence and that Womens participation was also increasing and that the AFLW was being promoted as well.
India has 29 States and 7 Territories so there is a fair bit of potential for our sport.

The AFL Richmond Tigers are increasingly getting involved up there with visits and their promotions of our great game, and are tipped to play up there sometime in the future.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2018-12-17/richmond-institutes-trip-to-india

Have some more info on the spread of the game in India.
It looks like AFL India has 20 States where they are have or are in process of introducing grassroots footy.
They listed those states in their promo of the 2018 ALL INDIA CHAMPS.

It looks like Reclink India are concentrating around Mumbai and the other 6 North Western States = 7
So we have a total of 27 States now listed.
India has its challenges - A large geographical area and 1.3 billion people.
 

TWLS

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Here is an article posted by AFL India on its web site and gives a further summary on their 2019 National Champs held in early January, which we mentioned in previous posts.
There were nine Indian States represented at these Championships and was conducted in Seniors and Juniors.

Before the event AFL India held a press conference for the media who asked a lot of questions about the sport apparently.
The game appears to be attracting some attention in the areas where it is established, and a local newspaper and TV had pictures and coverage.
The AFL Essendon Footy Club held a fund raising function in mid December in Melbourne to assist the running of the comp, and at this time they and the AFL Richmond Tigers are continuing their support of the game up there.
We can ponder when the AFL itself may form an India Dept aka China.

http://aflindia.org/7th-annual-national-championship-of-footy-in-india/
 

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