World Footy News

Poland's first Australian rules football club is under formation in the city of Poznań, dubbed the Polish Bisons.

Maciej Makarewicz says the team is hopeful of making their international debut at the 2011 Euro Cup in Belfast, and are also hoping to be able to schedule some friendly matches with the clubs in Berlin and Prague, both of which are within a few hours' drive. The team currently has 13 players, none of whom are Australians, although there is some playing experience through squad member Wlodek Przygorzewski, who took part in the European Crusaders side at the EU Cup a few years back.

Closer to home, the Bisons intend to encourage the creation of teams in other Polish cities and kick off a domestic competition.

The Bison is a popular symbol for Poland, with Białowieża Forest in the east of the country famous for having been the last wild home of the European Bison, also known as the Wisent, whose population had almost been hunted to extinction by the 1920s, but is now slowly recovering around Europe thanks to breeding from the wild Polish herds.

Whilst the new club is yet to create a web presence, anyone interested in contacting them can try their "Official" Fan Page.