Czech Republic
Australian rules football has been played in the Czech Republic since around 2003, when there were efforts to start a club in Prague known as the Tigers.
The first lasting club was founded in 2005, known as the Czech Lions. The Lions remained the only team in the Czech Republic for the next three years, playing mainly in tournaments against other European teams, hosting the CEAFL Championships in 2006.
The Czech AFL hosted the EU Cup in Prague in 2008, hosted at Slavia Rugby Club.
In 2009, the Czech AFL took steps to create a domestic competition in the Czech Republic, with the creation of two sides known as the All-Stars and the Marauders. As of July 2009, the two sides had around 30 active playing members, of which around one half were Czechs, one third expatriate Australians, and the remainder from other nationalities. The national representative side of the Czech AFL still competes under the name Czech Lions.
For the 2010 season, CAFL has expanded to four teams. The All Stars have been re-branded as the Vinohrady Hawks, the Marauders are now the Prague Cats and two new teams Prague Dragons and Prague Kings have been created. As well as significantly expanding the local league, The National team, The Czech Lions will be playing more international games this year. Making 2010 a significant year of expansion for C.A.F.L.
Along with these changes C.A.F.L. games are now played at the Sparta Rugby Field a new facility in Prague.
For the 2011 Season, CAFL has been re-branded as CAAFL (Czech Association of Australian Football) to comply with member ship requirements of the Czech Sports League. This is part of a long term plan to have Australian Football recognized as an official sport in The Czech Republic.
The Czech Lions now have an official "Home" ground, the Petrovice Rugby Club in Petrovice-Prague.
In 2012 CAAFL the Czech Lions expanded their international activities by participating in more European football matches, starting with Berlin in April 2012. 2012 looked to be a turning point for Czech Football, with more Czech than non Czech players involved in the sport leading to a strong National team.
2013 will see the the CAFL expand to five teams, with the addition of a side from Dresden in Germany.
Read more about this topic: Australian Rules Football In Europe
Famous quotes containing the words czech and/or republic:
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—Natasha Dudinska (b. c. 1967)
“I have always considered it as treason against the great republic of human nature, to make any man’s virtues the means of deceiving him.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)