May 18, 2004
By Steven Harrison.
Students from picturesque Stellenbosch University participated in their first ever game of Australian Football last Saturday. Twenty five players participated in an introductory skills session, followed by a well contested match. Australian Football was last played in the Western Cape in 1998 when two Australian professional teams, the Brisbane Lions and the Fremantle Dockers, played at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, as part of the AFL pre season competition.
Saturday’s game was Western Cape’s first ‘grass roots’ Footy game, played at Stellenbosch University, approximately 50km from Cape Town in Western Cape’s winery district. Stellenbosch University is one of South Africa’s largest universities, and has produced many Springbok Rugby players.
All of last Saturday’s participants either play or have played Rugby, and they enjoyed the physical nature of the game. Footy South Africa’s Head Development Officer, Mtutuzeli Hlomela was impressed with what he saw. “There is an obvious advantage for those who’ve played Rugby. The way they attack the ball is very good.” Hlomela said.
Kobus Smit, who was ‘Best On Ground’ in his first game of Footy was also the Captain of Western Cape in the 2000 Craven Week Rugby Competition, South Africa’s prestigious under age competition.
Both the players and the facilitators of last Saturday’s event are looking to eventually form the Western Cape Australian Football League, and include the Western Cape in Footy South Africa’s Inter-Provincial Championships next year, to compete with Gauteng and reigning champions North West.
South African Lawyer Christopher David, who played a major role in attracting players for the event, believes the potential for Footy in this area is strong. “A hostels competition is planned for later this year, and I think we’ll see many more players become interested in this game.” He said.
