Aussie Rules at Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008 ?

[fishmonger]

Just wondering, I know there is the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament, but with all of the youth development that is going on, Aussie Rules could qualify for the Youth Commonwealth Games (an even recently held in Bendigo) in India 2008 ...

Rugby Sevens is played in these games and only 8 Commonwealth Nations compete:
* South Africa
* Cook Islands
* Fiji
* Scotland
* Samoa
* Australia
* England
* Singapore

Well, just as many countries now play Aussie Rules at the junior level and I think the following countries could easily field Aussie Rules sides:
* Australia
* Canada
* Nauru
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Samoa
* South Africa
* Tonga
* United Kingdom
Additionally Kenya and Fiji are also possibilities.
That is nearly 10 countries that could compete for medals. Of course, you'd imagine that Australia would win gold, NZ silver and PNG bronze, but other sides like RSA and Nauru would also be competitive and it would be a great platform to launch the game as a youth sport internationally.
India has cricket grounds which would help provide the necessary infrastructure to enable the event to be included, and delegates from Australia and other Aussie Rules powerhouses would already be present to assist in official capacity ....

Thoughts ?

 

[Quadzilla]

Are you suggesting actual 'Aussie Rules' and not some hybrid? If so, great idea ...



but don't let Demetriou hear about it ... he'll try to get that useless 'International' rules game in.

 

[fishmonger]

Are you suggesting actual 'Aussie Rules' and not some hybrid? If so, great idea ...



but don't let Demetriou hear about it ... he'll try to get that useless 'International' rules game in.

yep, definately the real thing. not a round ball game.

Interestingly enough, soccer is not represented at the games, but rugby is. Not sure why this is the case, is it also absent from the Arafura Games (which Aussie Rules is played as a sport) and South Pacific Games (which Aussie Rules has been touted as a future sport).

http://213.131.178.163/

Rugby sevens was included for the Bendigo games. At the time of organising the games I don't think Aussie Rules wouldn't have had enough countries with youth programs to qualify, but they would now.

 

[svalovec]

http://www.nt.gov.au/cdsca/dsr/arafura/2005/ag_sportsresults.html

not that it is important, but they do play soccer and futsol at the Arafura games, I passed one of the soccer games on the way to watch Japan play the Indigenous kids at Marara (the best footy oval in Australia).

 

[Peter P]

Well not the International Rules hybrid, but if the games were 9-a-side Aussie Rules (like Rugby being 7's) then the logistics of getting those countries up and playing soon could be easier. Could play some of the games on a smaller oval in the central green field of an athletics stadium.

 

[fishmonger]

Well not the International Rules hybrid, but if the games were 9-a-side Aussie Rules (like Rugby being 7's) then the logistics of getting those countries up and playing soon could be easier. Could play some of the games on a smaller oval in the central green field of an athletics stadium.

great idea.

It is just a shame that Aussie Rules 9-a-side doesn't have a catchy name like Rugby 7s ...

9-a-side rules needs to be promoted much more, because it is so accessible. US leagues are playing Metro 9-a-side rules and there are plenty informal games played in leagues areound Australia as well.

A slightly modified game of rules would be great, because like Rugby 7s, different sorts of athletes might excel in it, potentially making the competition more even.