Great Britain national Australian rules football team
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The Great Britain national Australian rules football team is known as the British Bulldogs. The team is made up of the best British born players selected from the clubs of AFL Britain affiliated competitions in both England, Wales and Scotland.
The current coach is Charlie Kielty, who took over from Matt Connell after the 2005 exhibition match at the Oval. Charlie is also responsible for forming and running the Nottingham Scorpions Aussie Rules football club.
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[edit] Identity
The Bulldogs wear the colours of the union jack, with the emblem of the bulldog (a national icon of toughness and associations with Winston Churchill).
[edit] History
The Bulldogs have participated in the Australian Football International Cup held in Melbourne finishing 6th in both 2002 and 2005. Planning is currently underway for attending the 2008 event, likely to be a great occasion on the 150th anniversary of the sport's beginnings.
In October 2005, the Bulldogs played a curtain raiser at the West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle exhibition match at the Oval in London when the Bulldogs were beaten by Ireland. In October 2006, this fixture was repeated before the Geelong Cats vs Port Adelaide Power match. Although defeated once more by their Gaelic opposition, the development of the squad continues and there are many encouraging signs of improvement in the British game.
2007 saw the team travel to and beat Ireland, traditionally seen as the strongest nation outside of Australia. This has seen them dubbed by World Footy News as the unofficial European Champions.
[edit] Notable Players
The Bulldog's best and fairest player at the 2005 International Cup was Vincent Carey. The squad is captained by Johnathan Boyle, a regular player for the West London Wildcats.
[edit] See also
- Australian Rules Football in England
- British Australian Rules Football League
- Scottish Australian Rules Football League
- Australian Football International Cup
[edit] External links
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