“Australian Rules” Football launches new Indonesian League

The Australian Embassy Jakarta today welcomed the launch of the new ANZ Australia-Indonesia Cup on Saturday 14 July at Buperta in Cibubur.

The ANZ Australia-Indonesia Cup is an Australian Rules football competition involving Indonesian and expatriate players.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, said the growth of Australia’s national game is another example of the close relationship between the two countries. “It is exciting to see the growth of Australian Rules football in Indonesia and even better to see Indonesians and Australians playing together on the same team,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

“Indonesians love their sport and the football players are quick and skilful. I have no doubt Indonesia has the potential to produce some high level football talent.”

“This new league involving players from both countries will add another dimension to a healthy bilateral relationship and contribute further to our mutual understanding” added Moriarty.

The CEO of AFL Indonesia, Mr John Eddy, said Indonesian players had taken to the game and he was excited for the future.

“The Indonesian players involved in the league have picked up Aussie Rules football very quickly and the potential for growth of the sport in Indonesia is enormous. This tournament is the first step towards AFL Indonesia’s main goal, which is to prepare a national team to compete in Australia at the International Cup in 2014,” said Mr Eddy.

“The International Cup is like soccer’s World Cup but for Australian Rules Football, and Indonesia has a lot of good Australian Rules players who are hoping to make this squad. The ANZ Australia-Indonesia Cup will give them a consistent competition to play in,” added Eddy.

AFL Indonesia started as a school’s based program undertaken by the Jakarta Bintangs Australian Football Club which aimed to raise awareness of the importance of health and nutrition in Jakarta schools, using football to spread the message. It has evolved to a specialist football program involving Indonesian players from Jakarta, Bogor, Cileungsi, Balikpapan and Bali.

The first round of fixtures for the ANZ Australia-Indonesia Cup will begin at 10am and conclude with an Indonesian all-star game at 2.15pm. Games will be played at the Lapangan Cricket in the Buperta sports complex in Cibubur.

AFL Indonesia has a close association with the Australian Football League (AFL) which is the governing body in Australia for Australian Rules football. AFL Indonesia was formed in June 2009.

Event Enquiries:
Chris Bandy, Indonesian Football Coach - tel. (021) 2550 5278 mob 0813 389 72 775