Does the AFL have to get rid of "Australian" for Aussie Rules to be successful?

[Wolfpac]

I was reading Aka's book and it said that Rugby is played in Queensland Schools because of the name. Aussie Rules was know of as "Victorian Rules" back in 1900's. And because of this some of the board members voted against it because they didn't want a Victorian game played in Queensland. So it this is true then wouldn't the same be said for "Australian Rules"? If I was a South African kid, would I want to take up a sport named after another country? And If I was on the board at an American High School, would I want my kids playing a sport that they have to travel to the other side of the world to be known as a good player?

By having the word "Australian" it limits the sport to one country. And even if it did become popular oversea it would still just be know as an Australian code of Football. Other code have given themselves a more international nickname (Soccer, Gridiron ect) so why not Aussie Rules?

And why not give the Goal Umpires back their Bowler hats. it was the one of the few things that gave our code reconisition abroad. Heck I ever saw them on Sportscentre once.

 

[tommygun]

Some good points. In the US I think "Aussie Rules" is a good name. It gives it flavour. As for the bowlers I say yes. Put the white coats back on too. More flavour.

On another good note here in the US they played a one hour Highlights show in the Afternoon. Thats right from 3-4 in Colorado I was running around the neighborhood telling everyone to watch Fox Sports Rocky Mountain. I think its going to really help having it on in the afternoon on Saturdays.

 

[Peter P]

Good point and good to hear of some decent coverage - if only in one state of the USA.

Well American Football is still called that isn't it. But Gridiron and NFL are names that help overseas. Australian Rules Football could be called Aussie Rules, Rules, Ozirulz, Ozfooty, or AFL - and I've seen all these names used. Time will tell - there may be something in the AFL's push to call the game by the main pro league - "AFL", altho there will be plenty of other sports bodies using this acronym around the world.

 

[monnersfan]

One thing that 'Australian football' and 'Aussie Rules' have going for them in some areas (I imagine particularly in North America & Europe) is that Australian culture is stereotyped as being rough, egalitarian and athletic. All of these values reflect well on our code, and many see its attraction in its skill, balanced roughness (not as soft as soccer, not as rough as gridiron & rugby) and the fact that having a beer after the match, often with the opposition, is a real attraction.

Many things Australian are still a novelty in American and areas of Europe, and I wonder whether distancing the sport from its obvious cultural roots is a smart thing...

 

[Richoagain]

I was reading Aka's book and it said that Rugby is played in Queensland Schools because of the name. Aussie Rules was know of as "Victorian Rules" back in 1900's. And because of this some of the board members voted against it because they didn't want a Victorian game played in Queensland.

I don't know about that. I've heard that particular story regarding why Sydney clubs chose rugby rules rather than Victorian - but with regards to Queensland a number of private schools had a pretty good tradition of Aussie Rules up until about 1900.

It's hard to tell with a lot of footy history, sometimes things suggested as a possibiliy get taken as solid fact.

 

[Goat]

I did read that in QLD it came down to a vote and it was close, as to whether to push Rugby or Aussie Rules. Dunno if the name was an issue. And come on, if Aka says so....

At the end of the day, I don't think the name really holds it back, except possibly in countries that have a more fierce rivalry with Australia, such as NZ and England. As I've said before, Aussie Rules combines the best aspects of many sports, so Ultimate Footy would have been a good (if arrogant) name. But Ultimate is taken by frisbee. Anyone got a thesaurus handy (joking).

 

[brentonb]

this is a well worn subject but what we are really talking about here is branding and perception, I for one beleive that, that first game played on a two mile paddock with forty players over two days was a attempt to adopt Marn Grook, and after much thought this is not a bad Idea I think that our game would be more readily adopted and rcognised as the only game not derivative of English Football and the only game invented by Black people,. forgive me if I sound politicaly incorect. but beleive me this can be a great selling point especialy here in the Uk amongst ethnic communities in London

 

[Matt_TY]

Unfortunately I can't agree that the first game was just an adaptation of marn grook - there were definitely other influences including the English - but I think you might be onto a winner with marketing at least the link the sport does have to marn grook, I'm thinking it might help in South Africa where their own black community seems to be the main focus for Aussie Rules.

As for the original question I still hold that that's for the overseas leagues doing the marketing to decide as they see fit - no need to change the name of the sport in Australia

 

[Goat]

Perhaps more significantly - there is no prospect of changing the name in Australia. Only the AFL could dream of doing that, and they wouldn't do something so unpopular. (Some would say they are already changing it - to AFL, but I don't think that is the same as changing it to Ozfooty League or whatever).

I'm happy for Marn Grook to be a part of the legend of footy's origins, but yes, we have to be realistic and acknowledge the other contributions. All the footballs were still evolving and it all goes back to historic games 100s or 1000s of years old, be it in Europe or Australia.

 

[cos789]

I really don't think this is an issue anymore , which ever way you look at it .
Whilst Australia has a high international standing then the "Australia" in Australian Football is a plus . At the present stage of expansion being able to link Australian Football to Australian Trade , Food or whatever promotions is basically bonus advertising .
With the naming we have the luxury of choices .Traditional 18-a-side will always be Australian Football , Aussie Rules or Footy , but new developements lead to generic names Metro Footy , Tag ,Flag , Nines and Recreational as well as "footy" itself .
The only possible "pro" is that there is feedback for the International Rules from soccer types in Britain .Possibly they are willing to give that a go , but not AR .But then again they are two different games .

 

[CalgaryBlue]

I dont see any need to bomb the "australian" from the name of the game. personally, i agree with some of the other comments, that in north america it actually helps boost the attraction. As was said before, the fascination with the wild culture of aus is still a big attractuion for people. You coudnt just call the game AFL in north america anymore due to the "Arena Football League" which is indoor american football. Search engines on the internet are fabulous tools to use in annalyzing a cultures thought process. If you use a north american search engnine and look for AFL, you will get Arena Football. And, just like the search engoines, the letters AFL in a sporting context make most people think of the Arena game. Australian Rules Football , is a term used by outside of the game, and sets this game apart from other codes. By maintaining its proper name the game wont be confused by all the other "Football" games. When i say football im talking about soccer, but most people here are talking about Canadian Football League, some are talking about the American Football, and yet others are talking about Rugby. So,in my opinion the Name Australian Rules Football Is brilliant, and should continue to be used.

And If I was on the board at an American High School, would I want my kids playing a sport that they have to travel to the other side of the world to be known as a good player?

This is an interesting comment, and one worth examining. When i lived in California a few years ago, my high school had the same general opinion of rugby. They were sure that it was a game played only in england, and didnt see why they should sponsor such a foreign venture. However, it was the publicity of international matches, and the fact that the US national team was on tele several times which broke down the schools stance and allowed them to start a team. In my opinion, if schools can be shown that there is an international level of competition they will welcome any game. Its not whether or not a person can make money at the sport as a pro, but whether they can play as a national representative which seems to govern how welcome a sport is to a new population. So, back to the IC-2005. If this gets a bit of national coverage in Britain, Europe, Canada, and the USA, the game will grow. The canadian National Coach hit on this idea in the interview he had on National tele in Canada, he said that some of his guys had only been playing for twelve months, and were allready representing their nation. He then said, that this was a huge attraction for many new players, that telling a high school kid, that he had a chance at playing for his country was a huge draw. The Gaf, never mentioned playing professional, instead it was the draw of playing for your nation. I agree, lets hope that the men in charge give all the national teams their dues and that all nations get some publicity out of this.

Cheers,
paul

 

[Goat]

I also think this arguement can be applied to promoting the game in Sydney, the AFL's medium term holy grail. Surely it is easier to promote the sport if kids and schools think there is an international dimension. So although we all know the AFL focus is on NSW and QLD, promoting international footy might actually help that cause. I assume that is part of the motivation behind the International Rules series against Ireland.

 

[bod.]

The name of the game may need a catchy term to make it grow internationally, but that is a purely marketing issue.
I like the theme from CalgaryBlue - the carrot of representing your country might be the way to go in the short to medium term.
But it must be tough to get footy going overseas because of the ground dimensions. Obviously cricket gounds are the source of our field of play, but cricket isn't played everywhere.
Best of luck over there...

 

[mcgarnacle]

The name of the game may need a catchy term to make it grow internationally

aerial ping-pong

 

[johnnyhoward]

Call it something like "Impact Football"...some stupid name like that the Americans will enjoy.

 

[VikingSven]

For want of a better name.. I've always liked "dynamic football" or "dynafooty".

 

[cos789]

I've always thought that it is a good opportunity for Burley to promote itself in the USA by having an international Burley competition for the nines .Good pun there . Also the Yanks aren't quite sure as to market as "footy" "nines"
or "metro" .

 

[Grunty]

Nothing wrong with AUSSIE RULES.

 

[Grunty]

..... as long as we don't keep on changing the bloody rules every season. It's confusing enough here, but what will happen when Burundi or Mali start to take up the game?

 

[Peter P]

For want of a better name.. I've always liked "dynamic football" or "dynafooty".

It's good. A few names are likely to have currency for a while, one may eventually stick, the game may always officially be Australian Football or semi-officially Australian rules football or "AFL", but by the end of the century with more playing outside than inside Australia, some other name may have caught on - dynafooty sums up the key energy of the game.

In the same way American Football is officially just that, but less officially NFL, and outside America often know as Gridiron.

 

[Richoagain]

dynafooty sums up the key energy of the game.

Seeing as it was suggested by someone from the Stockholm Dynamite, I assumed it was an in-joke!

Personally I'm not a fan of names that sound like they were thought up by either a marketing exec (Ultimate) or a PE Teacher (Ozball). They sound artificial, just doesn't do it for me I'm afraid.

Generally it's Aussie Rules or Australian football outside Australia, and I think that'll stay the main name. I don't think it's a hinderance having 'Australian' in the name, from what people tell me the novelty value can be worth quite a bit in places like the US or Japan.

To the Irish ever say, 'gee lads, we better stop calling it Gaelic Football'?

I don't think the 'Gridiron' analogy is really applicable either - the word Gridiron actually has relevance to the game (it's the field the game is played on) as opposed to Dynafooty, and I'm not sure anyone outside Australia calls it that... Everywhere else I've only heard it called American Football - though to be fair I've never been to South Africa or Britain and can't really comment on usage there!

 

[FootyontheBrain]

Aussie Rules.

It's not the name that's holding back its success in the states. It's simply a lack of money to market the game. Period.

Aussie Rules works.

 

[CalgaryBlue]

For lack of a better term, Dynafooty sounds GAY! Aussie rules is fine. I also hate words that sound like they were dreamed up by 30 something marketing execs sitting in an office in new york. Because "extreme "is such a buzz word used by these 30 somethings to attracked young people like me, im surprised no one said "Extreme Football". HAHAHAH!!

I think Australian football is fine. On the Use of Gridiron, i have only heard that term on this message board. When i was back home in england people call it american football.

Along the same path, the sport of rugby is named after a place in england, but no one cares, in fact the word rugby now has more connotation to sport then the town its named after. So whats in the name? Not a whole lot. The sport isn't being held back by anything apart from our own drive to spread it. Its upto each AFL organization and team to do their part. Things like parades (vancouver cougars) or playing as half time entertainment at major events (vancouver cougars, denver Bulldogs, OC Bombers, San Diego lions) is the path to spreading the game.

One thing that is holding us back is the fact that some people are to scared to experiment and try different avenues to help out the game. Some players are far to purest on the game and deny us access to expansion. For instance when i brought up the idea of a metro league in my city i was met with alot of "No ways" from our australian players. They saw it as a basterdization of the game and wanted no part. Unfortunately its the best way to move forward cause its simple to play, and allows new players to get their hands on the ball. Similar to this i recommended we play 6 per side games at the indoor soccer centre here as a way of showing the sport to a very large population of soccer players (40,000 in calgary)but this was also turned down.

In my opinion its not the name that holds the game back, but peoples lack of adventure. Something that really draws me to aussie rules, beside the sport itself, is being part of a true grass roots sport. It gives me the opportunity to be one of the first to play, and gives me the ability to rebel against everything around me, sort of go against the grain. I love it! We all just need to get more creative, and start experimenting with ideas. If it fails it fails, but its a tonne of fun trying! Its when we dont try new ideas that we truely fail.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Cudaman]

For lack of a better term, Dynafooty sounds GAY! Aussie rules is fine. I also hate words that sound like they were dreamed up by 30 something marketing execs sitting in an office in new york. Because "extreme "is such a buzz word used by these 30 somethings to attracked young people like me, im surprised no one said "Extreme Football". HAHAHAH!!

I think Australian football is fine. On the Use of Gridiron, i have only heard that term on this message board. When i was back home in england people call it american football.

Along the same path, the sport of rugby is named after a place in england, but no one cares, in fact the word rugby now has more connotation to sport then the town its named after. So whats in the name? Not a whole lot. The sport isn't being held back by anything apart from our own drive to spread it. Its upto each AFL organization and team to do their part. Things like parades (vancouver cougars) or playing as half time entertainment at major events (vancouver cougars, denver Bulldogs, OC Bombers, San Diego lions) is the path to spreading the game.

One thing that is holding us back is the fact that some people are to scared to experiment and try different avenues to help out the game. Some players are far to purest on the game and deny us access to expansion. For instance when i brought up the idea of a metro league in my city i was met with alot of "No ways" from our australian players. They saw it as a basterdization of the game and wanted no part. Unfortunately its the best way to move forward cause its simple to play, and allows new players to get their hands on the ball. Similar to this i recommended we play 6 per side games at the indoor soccer centre here as a way of showing the sport to a very large population of soccer players (40,000 in calgary)but this was also turned down.

In my opinion its not the name that holds the game back, but peoples lack of adventure. Something that really draws me to aussie rules, beside the sport itself, is being part of a true grass roots sport. It gives me the opportunity to be one of the first to play, and gives me the ability to rebel against everything around me, sort of go against the grain. I love it! We all just need to get more creative, and start experimenting with ideas. If it fails it fails, but its a tonne of fun trying! Its when we dont try new ideas that we truely fail.

Cheers,
Paul

Ditto!!!

 

[Richoagain]

For instance when i brought up the idea of a metro league in my city i was met with alot of "No ways" from our australian players. They saw it as a basterdization of the game and wanted no part. Unfortunately its the best way to move forward cause its simple to play, and allows new players to get their hands on the ball. Similar to this i recommended we play 6 per side games at the indoor soccer centre here as a way of showing the sport to a very large population of soccer players (40,000 in calgary)but this was also turned down.

That's a real shame, both of those suggestions are great and probably what you'll need if you want to go beyond playing only Red Deer all the time...

Metro-style footy I think will eventually become an integral part of footy all over the place, not just North America - I'm still a fan of each cities having a full-side touring team that plys once every three or four weeks, supported by a metro league on the in-between weeks.

Keep pushing - in the US it's taken a long time to win over purists too, but eventually people try it. If Chicago, Golden Gate, Florida and Arizona start winning, more will follow.