World Footy News

This is the exciting story of the “Croatian Knights quest to build the first Aussie Rules field in Eastern Europe.” The Croatian Knights have started an information and sponsorship drive to try to make their dream a reality – a proper Australian Rules football ground of their own.

As stated in their prospectus brochure, “In 2013 an opportunity arose for the Association of Australian Football - Croatia to build the first Australian Rules football oval in Eastern Europe. For years our players dreamed of having locker rooms and being able to train and play on a flat grass field. For years we dreamed of kicking in front of real footy posts.”

In a project which is forecast to cost just short of AUD$30 000, they have raised almost AUD$18,000 already but have undertaken a funding drive internationally to seek assistance to raise the remaining funds.

The Knights would obviously be the key beneficiary of this project, but they rightly point out a range of other benefits which have wider reaching benefits for the wider European Australian Football community, including:

• Better training conditions for domestic clubs and for the national team
• Opportunity to play domestic league games on the proper oval
• Organization of 2016 European Championship tournament
• International friendly games
• Starting first junior program
• Recruiting and raising number of players due to better conditions

As stated by AFL Europe General Manager, Ben MacCormack, an opportunity arose through the Zagreb University to build the tailor-made oval, suitable for 18 per side matches, at the rear of the existing university grounds. The Zagreb Hawks had already been working closely with the university to train, recruit and run programs which focused on the game development of Australian football. According to Ben, once built this facility would be the largest 18 per side facility in continental Europe.

The attached link to a video produced by the Croatian Knights gives a fascinating insight into the project itself, including the need for the development. According to Josip Kravar, President of the AAFC (Association of Australian Football Croatia) the team has been going now for seven years and last season players were training and playing on rough fields with no grass, posts or even showers. This made it difficult to recruit new players. The new facility will solve these issues and offer an attractive facility for everyone to enjoy, boosting interest in the game.

A number of heavyweight ex-footballers have been called on to help spread the message and raise awareness of the project. They also call for assistance from the Croatian communities at home and also in Australia to get behind the project. International Multicultural ambassadors, Brett Kirk (ex Sydney Swans champion and current Fremantle Dockers Assistant Coach) and Tadgh Kennelly (ex Sydney Swans star) feature in the video to raise awareness and funds, as does former Hawthorn great, Robert Dipierdominico as he also urges people to donate to the cause.

Former Geelong premiership player, and European Legion coach, Brad Ottens, lends his support stating his delight at how the Croatians have embraced the game and that they “need a stadium” to take the game further, both in Croatia and across Europe.

The following link to the video is well worth watching as it gives the back story of Croatian footy, including chats with founders of the game in the country, Ante Loncar, Ivan Srpek and Robert Gojevic as they reflect on the past, the growth and the need to create this facility.

There is also a link to the brochure which gives more details about how to donate, as well as the breakdown of costs to complete the project.
 Brochure produced by the AAFC.

The following is a link for those wishing to donate to the “Field of Dreams”:
 Click if wanting to make a donation.