UK South Coast Footy

[aussiebob14]

Hi all,

There’s a new footy 9s Comp (full contact) that started on the south coast last weekend where they’re running open taster sessions. If anyone’s interested, there’s another taster session this weekend at Basingstoke RFL. Great Comp for anyone who lives in Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey or Dorset.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

The rugby goals are an odd addition ...

 

[aussiebob14]

The rugby goals are an odd addition ...

Not my artwork, just spreading the word. My guess is they were included because it’s played on a rugby field & there’s a lot of rugby players who play as a way of keeping fit in their off season. The crossbar on the posts has no bearing on gameplay, if the ball hits it, it’s still a goal. Unfortunately no space/resource for behind posts so it’s just goals that are counted.

 

[BigBrainUSA]

Not my artwork, just spreading the word. My guess is they were included because it’s played on a rugby field & there’s a lot of rugby players who play as a way of keeping fit in their off season. The crossbar on the posts has no bearing on gameplay, if the ball hits it, it’s still a goal. Unfortunately no space/resource for behind posts so it’s just goals that are counted.

It's not real footy.

It's a bastardized form of footy formed by someone who is trying to cash in on the game in foreign markets by changing the rules slightly and packaging it as a form of Aussie Rules. They tried to do the same in the states and, well, failed. It's the same group who is trying to repackage AustUs as "Footy 9s" in the states as well.

Stick with AFL London and AFL England if you want to play footy. They're looking to grow their competition and could use the interest and support there. Plus, they're actually sanctioned by the AFL, hence their name.

 

[aussiebob14]

It's not real footy.

It's a bastardized form of footy formed by someone who is trying to cash in on the game in foreign markets by changing the rules slightly and packaging it as a form of Aussie Rules. They tried to do the same in the states and, well, failed. It's the same group who is trying to repackage AustUs as "Footy 9s" in the states as well.

Stick with AFL London and AFL England if you want to play footy. They're looking to grow their competition and could use the interest and support there. Plus, they're actually sanctioned by the AFL, hence their name.

1. Yes it’s a bastardised form of footy. There’s no cash grab, it’s free for everyone to play. Its 9 a side so that there’s enough players to field a few teams

2. AFL london is a big commitment. Not all of us want to be playing weekly and this is aimed at locals on the south coast. Once you factor in traffic, it could sometimes be a 6 hour round trip + game time which isn’t realistic. AFL England used to have a south coast comp but that was sadly decimated by the pandemic. The hope is that 9s might help to revive some of those old teams.

3. I don’t particularly care if it’s “sanctioned” by the AFL or not. These guys aren’t profiteering in the sinister way in which you’ve suggested. It’s an informal “competition”, in the loosest use of the term, and a great opportunity for people to have a kick about, meet new people and socialise. I’m sure you can empathise when I say that it’s nice to meet some other people who live nearby and are interested in the sport we all love.

Again, this thread is just to get the word out there for anyone who lives on the south coast of England and may want a kick about. As for the rest of you, off to the sick bay.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Not weighing in the origins of the competition, but how does the bastardisation differ from the rules used in USAFL metro leagues, AFL Québec, the Euro Cup etc?

 

[aussiebob14]

Gotta be honest, I have no idea and didn’t realise it was such a big deal. I was just stoked to have a local comp where I could meet other people who are into footy.

 

[BigBrainUSA]

Not weighing in the origins of the competition, but how does the bastardisation differ from the rules used in USAFL metro leagues, AFL Québec, the Euro Cup etc?

Played on a rectangular field (and rules change based on rugby vs soccer fields, for example), no throw ins, no behind posts, no soccering, and in the American version you can throw the ball. It's AFLX but without all the Gil bells and whistles.

 

[aussiebob14]

Played on a rectangular field (and rules change based on rugby vs soccer fields, for example), no throw ins, no behind posts, no soccering, and in the American version you can throw the ball. It's AFLX but without all the Gil bells and whistles.

You mean these bells and whistles?

 

[BigBrainUSA]

Gotta be honest, I have no idea and didn’t realise it was such a big deal. I was just stoked to have a local comp where I could meet other people who are into footy.

I appreciate the fact that it's a group of people in an area of the world that doesn't have a program.

My suggestion above wasn't that you all actually play in London, but rather you reach out to the established groups for support in starting up your own team/comp etc. They have a much bigger footprint on socials to help you grow your program and a much better track record in growing the game in England.

My worry isn't about the folks simply trying to play each week and get something going. There is a history of issues at the higher levels which have come to bear with similar programs around the world and I'm merely trying to warn y'all in case this happens again down the road.

Of course, I'm hope I'm wrong and am happy to eat crow if I am, and of course I wish you all the best. I'm sure there are others on this forum who can vouch for me that this is a valid concern.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Played on a rectangular field (and rules change based on rugby vs soccer fields, for example), no throw ins, no behind posts, no soccering, and in the American version you can throw the ball. It's AFLX but without all the Gil bells and whistles.

Ahh, didn't realise it was that different.

I don't mind footy on rectangular fields, or even a last possession rule like the AFLW or SANFL, but those changes do seem a bit extreme.

I know London can be a big place to traverse, and it's also a big ask asking teams to always venture outside of London, so fingers crossed to aussiebob14 and co that it goes well and it leads to bigger things.

Pretty sure the Euro Cup started by the same group, and that grew into something good, so hopefully it ends up more like that than Major League Footy.

 

[RedV3x]

Played on a rectangular field,

So that makes for a really foreign feel.

no throw ins

Common in 9-s-side footy and is goos as you don't need a specialist ruckman.

no behind posts

No consequence. Originally none in colonial football and even later then points were merely "tiebreaker"

no soccering

Not a bad idea to encourage skill as in early junior football.

in the American version you can throw the ball.

I once thought that if the AFL played the NRL all they had to do is allow the throw but with the caveat that the pass had to be completed
over a minimum distance.