Nauru national Australian rules football team explained

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Nauru
Badge:AFL_Nauru_Logo.png
Nickname:The Chiefs
Rank: 5th
Rank Date:October 2022[1]
Founded:1976
Colours: Blue Yellow
Coach:Zac Temaki (2017)
Ground:Linkbelt Oval
Premierships:AFL International Cup (0)
Url:Official Website
Ic Apps:5 (first in 2002)
Ic Best:5th (2008, 2017)

The Nauru national Australian rules football team represents Nauru in Australian rules football. Despite its small size and population, Nauru, which is the only country with Australian football as its national sport, consistently ranks among the top eight teams in the world.[2]

The men's team, nicknamed the Chiefs, debuted in 1976 and finished 5th at the 2008 Australian Football International Cup. A women's team, nicknamed the Aoreni, debuted at the 2024 Pacific Cup which it won. Male and female youth sides, nicknamed the Stars, have also competed regularly since 2009.

History

See also: Australian rules football in Nauru. Australian rules had been played on Pleasant Island as early as 1916[3] [4] [5] with regular competition between local teams from 1921. As an Australian trustee, Nauru was the only overseas league recognised and supported by the Australian National Football Council in 1929. By 1954 its popularity had grown such that it became the only football code that children played on the island.[6]

Following Nauru’s independence in 1968[7] and the independence of the Australian territory of Papua New Guinea in 1975, an opportunity presented itself for a Nauruan national team to compete. The nation's first internationals occurred when the team toured Papua New Guinea a year later in 1976. Among the better players in the squad were Royong Itsimaera, Ali Iwagia, Johaness Itsimaera, Richardo Solomon, Vinson Detenamo, Manfred Depaune and Pres Nimes. Papua New Guinea went on to win the match by 129 points.[8]

Until sometime after 1999, the team went by the nickname the Frigatebirds.[9] In 2000, Nauru travelled to Queensland to compete in the inaugural Web Sports Cup. The side played against a team from Samoa and the Robina Roos of the AFL Queensland. Nauru won both matches. The team returned to Australia for the competition again the following year, this time defeating another two teams, including the Gold Coast Old Boys.[10]

In November 2012 Nauru travelled to Suva to take on Fiji in a three-match test series. Nauru won the first two matches by a combined 140 points.[11] [12] [13] The team re-asserted its dominance in the final match, securing the sweep with a 103 to 31 win.[14] This test series was the first official AFL international ever held outside of Australia.[15]

The women's team on debut. The Under 17 male side also won the cup. The men's side reached the grand final.

Players

Despite the sport's popularity and the national team's success, as of 2017 no Nauruan international has played in the Australian Football League.[16] However, in 2008 seventeen Nauruan players competed in the Victorian Football League in preparation for the 2008 Australian Football International Cup.[17] In 2012 Yoshi Harris played a few matches for Greater Western Sydney Giants's reserve squad and in the AFL Sydney.[18] Though shorter in stature than the average AFL player, Nauruans are fast and athletic. Not a single player in the 2008 International Cup squad was over 183cm. Because of this height, the Nauruan style is to play close to the ground and is suited to playing in wet conditions.[19]

Stadium

See also: New Nauru Stadium. As the only Australian rules ground on Nauru, the Linkbelt Oval in the Aiwo District is home to the sport on the island. However, because the pitch surface is rock and phosphate dust, and markings are drawn on the rock with oil rather than paint or chalk, the ground does not meet standards for international matches.[16] [20] In April 2024, the Australian Defence Force visited the island and were surprised by the playing surface. At that time, the government of Australia was attempting to build Nauru a second field with a grass surface through Australian Aid so the country could host other national teams and international competition. Other clubs and nations would not travel to Nauru previously because of the oval's surface.[21] [22]

Men's team

The men's team, the Chiefs formed debuted in 1976.

International Cup

See main article: Australian Football International Cup. Nauru has participated in the Australian Football International Cup since the inaugural tournament in 2002.[23] They have gone on to compete in every edition of the tournament, aside from 2005 when the team had to withdraw because of financial difficulties shortly before the games started.[24]

International Cup results
YearFinishPW-L-DPFPA
2002[25] 8/1161-5-0269247
2005[26] Withdrew
2008[27] 5/1654-1-0387166
2011[28] 6/1864-2-0312238
2014[29] 7/1854-1-0419170
2017[30] 5/1854-1-0232235

Arafura Games

See main article: Arafura Games. Nauru competed in the 1995 Arafura Games in Darwin, the first edition of the tournament to feature national teams. That year they were coached by former Geelong Football Club player Mark Yeates. Nauru went on to win the bronze medal that year. The Chiefs went on to win the tournament in 2001, defeating the Northern Territory Eagles in the final. The team did not compete in 1997 or 1999 despite national teams competing in the sport at those games.[31] [10]

Arafura Games results
YearFinishPW-L-DPFPA
1995[32] 3/552-3-0233236
1997[33] Did Not Enter
1999[34] Did Not Enter
2001[35] 1/433-0-030781

Matches

Date Opposition For Against Venue Winner Status Ref.
11 October 1976 Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea
1995 New Zealand 19 54 New Zealand
1995 Japan/Singapore 35 41 Japan/Singapore
1995 Papua New Guinea 30 52 Papua New Guinea
1995 Hong Kong 65 30 Nauru
1995 Japan/Singapore 84 59 Nauru
2001 Japan 142 9 Nauru
2001 74 37 Nauru
2001 91 35 Nauru
14 August 2002 Japan 119 14 Nauru
15 August 2002 59 65 Great Britain
16 August 2002 Denmark 27 40 Denmark
21 August 2002 Papua New Guinea 44 91 Papua New Guinea
23 August 2002 Samoa 20 37 Samoa
27 August 2008 Papua New Guinea 20 69 Papua New Guinea
29 August 2008 65 18 Nauru
1 September 2008 Peres Team for Peace 177 7 Nauru
3 September 2008 United States 45 23 Nauru
5 September 2008 Canada 80 49 Nauru
13 August 2011 Japan 42 19 Nauru
13 August 2011 Fiji 42 15 Nauru
15 August 2011 Tonga 61 35 Nauru
20 August 2011 Papua New Guinea 27 110 Papua New Guinea
24 August 2011 94 7 Nauru
26 August 2011 46 52 South Africa
16 November 2012 Fiji 147 47 Nauru
20 November 2012 Fiji 75 35 Nauru
23 November 2012 Fiji 103 31 Nauru
10 August 2014 Indonesia 227 7 Nauru
13 August 2014 50 29 Nauru
16 August 2014 Ireland 39 66 Republic of Ireland
19 August 2014 49 33 Nauru
22 August 2014 United States 54 35 Nauru
6 August 2017 New Zealand 34 81 New Zealand
9 August 2017 Papua New Guinea 35 84 Papua New Guinea
12 August 2017 France 106 14 Nauru
15 August 2017 Canada 56 24 Nauru
18 August 2017 53 32 Nauru

Squads

2002 IC

2008 IC

2011 IC

2014 IC

2017 IC

Women's team

An open women's team, nicknamed the Aoreni, formed to compete in 2024 winning the Pacific Cup at Maroochydore, Queensland winning on debut.

Youth sides

AFL Nauru also organizes youth sides. The male youth side is nicknamed the Stars.[40] At the under-16 level the nation has experienced much success, including Oceania Cup championships in 2013, 2015,[41] 2016,[42] and 2019;[43] and multiple second-place finishes;[44] and appearances in the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament.[45]

In 2023, female youth sides were fielded for the first time, including the 2023 Oceania Cup and 2024 Pacific Cup.

Oceania Cup

See main article: Oceania Cup (Australian rules football).

Key
Oceania Cup results
YearFinish (male)
2009[46] 2nd
2010[47] 4th
2011[48] 2nd
2012[49] 2nd
2013[50] 1st
2014[51] 2nd
20151st
20161st
2017[52] 2nd
2018[53] 2nd
20191st
2023[54] 2nd

External links

See also

See also: Australian rules football in Nauru.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: World Footy News World Rankings post 2022 European Championships - World Footy News .
  2. Web site: AFL Nauru . AFL Queensland . 26 August 2022.
  3. Sydney Mail 5 Feb 1919 Page 17 AMONG THE NATIVES OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
  4. FOOTBALL ACTIVITIES The Herald 19 Feb 1925 Page 3
  5. Sporting Globe 10 Oct 1925 Page 6 Australians in Nauru
  6. News: GEELONG FOSTER GAME AT NAURU . . 23,984 . Victoria, Australia . 9 April 1954 . 23 November 2021 . 17 . National Library of Australia.
  7. Davidson . JW . The Republic of Nauru . The Journal of Pacific History . January 1968 . 3 . 1 . 145–150 . 10.1080/00223346808572131 .
  8. News: It's PNG by 129 points . . International, Australia . 21 September 1976 . 23 November 2021 . 22 . National Library of Australia.
  9. Web site: Clarke . Brian . Nauru . travelblog.org . 28 August 2022.
  10. Web site: Nauru Chiefs . 2022-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120322060114/http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/home/world/pacific/nauru/chiefs . 2012-03-22 .
  11. Web site: Ratuva . Anasilini . Fiji Tribe Improve . Fiji Sun . 27 August 2022.
  12. Web site: Christiansen . Michael . Fiji vs Nauru - Match 1 of 3 . worldfootynews.com . 27 August 2022.
  13. Web site: Sport: Fiji see plenty of benefits from AFL test series . 23 November 2012 . Radio New Zealand . 28 August 2022.
  14. Web site: Christiansen . Michael . Fiji v Nauru Match 3 of 3 . worldfootynews.com . 27 August 2022.
  15. Web site: McDonald . Eleina . AFL Fiji improve against Nauru . FBC News . 28 August 2022.
  16. Web site: Kearney . Aaron . Nauru's football fanaticism fires AFL aspirations . Australian Broadcast Corporation . 26 August 2022.
  17. Web site: Nauru Chiefs are Stawell's gift . 2022-08-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080730092806/https://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=64431 . 2008-07-30 .
  18. Web site: Shaibani . Frederick . Footy Around the World: Naura . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  19. Web site: Roffey . Chelsea. Team profile: Nauru Chiefs . 2022-08-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090125142626/http://afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=64399 . 2009-01-25 .
  20. Web site: Wingard . Ant . "It's pretty much indescribable": Webb's opportunity of a lifetime . AFL Queensland . 28 August 2022.
  21. Web site: Tora . Iliesa . Nauru AFL hopes for a grass field . Radio New Zealand . 11 September 2024.
  22. Web site: ADF helps grow footy in Nauru . Australian Government . 11 September 2024.
  23. Web site: International Cup 2002 AFL Souvenir Program - Player Lists . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  24. Web site: King . Stacey . Nauru Chiefs are naturals at footy . Banaban Voice . 27 August 2022.
  25. Web site: Northey . Brett . International Cup 2002 in Review . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  26. Web site: IC 2005 Fixture - released after Denmark and Nauru withdrawal . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  27. Web site: 2008 International Cup Fixture and Results . 17 July 2008 . Australian Football Association of North America . 26 August 2022.
  28. Web site: 2011 AFL International Cup - Scores and Ladders Links . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  29. Web site: 2014 AFL International Cup - Results and Ladders . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  30. Web site: 2017 AFL International Cup - Results and Ladders . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  31. Web site: ARAFURA GAMES . aflinternational.com . 26 August 2022.
  32. Web site: 1995 Arafura Games - Aussie Rules International - Promoting Australian Football Around the World . 2011-08-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090106070313/http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/home/tournaments/arafura-games/1995-arafura-games . 2009-01-06 .
  33. Web site: 1997 Arafura Games - Aussie Rules International - Promoting Australian Football Around the World . 2011-08-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090106061150/http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/home/tournaments/arafura-games/1997-arafura-games . 2009-01-06 .
  34. Web site: 1999 Arafura Games - Aussie Rules International - Promoting Australian Football Around the World . 2011-08-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090604232720/http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/home/tournaments/arafura-games/1999-arafura-games . 2009-06-04 .
  35. Web site: 2001 Arafura Games - Aussie Rules International - Promoting Australian Football Around the World . 2011-08-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110926232419/http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/home/tournaments/arafura-games/2001-arafura-games . 2011-09-26 .
  36. Web site: Northey . Brett . Youth and in-country experience to lead Chiefs . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  37. Web site: Northey . Brett . IC11 Squad - Our Airline Chiefs would be kings . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  38. Web site: Thompson . Troy . IC14 Preview: Nauru Chiefs look towards top tier . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  39. Web site: Thompson . Troy . IC17 Preview: Nauru Chiefs . worldfootynews.com . 26 August 2022.
  40. Web site: Oceania Cup Preview and Teams . AFL Queensland . 31 August 2022.
  41. Web site: Mannan . Justine . Nauru Champs In 2015 . Fiji Sun . 27 August 2022.
  42. Web site: Christiansen . Michael . 2016 AFL Oceania Cup Grand Final Day . worldfootynews.com . 31 August 2022.
  43. Web site: NAURU Stars WIN 2019 Oceania Cup . AFL Nauru . 31 August 2022.
  44. Web site: Fiji wins 2014 AFL Oceania Cup . 6 January 2015 . Australian Football League . 26 August 2022.
  45. Web site: Barassi Youth Tournament '08 Calls For More Teams . Scoop World . 26 August 2022.
  46. Web site: Northey . Brett . Tonga the champions in rollercoaster day . worldfootynews.com . 31 August 2022.
  47. Web site: PNG win Oceania Cup . 21 December 2010 . Radio New Zealand . 31 August 2022.
  48. Web site: Ratuva . Anasilini . Kiwis Win Oceania Cup . The Fiji Sun . 31 August 2022.
  49. Web site: Christiansen . Michael . 2012 AFL Oceania Cup results - Fiji come out on top . worldfootynews.com . 31 August 2022.
  50. Web site: Christiansen . Michael . AFL Oceania Cup 2013 - Nauru claim the title . worldfootynews.com . 31 August 2022.
  51. Web site: Christiansen . Michael . Fiji take out 2014 AFL Oceania Youth Cup . worldfootynews.com . 31 August 2022.
  52. Web site: Shaibani . Frederick . Fiji Tribe take home Oceania Cup . worldfootynews.com . 31 August 2022.
  53. Web site: Narayan . Grace . Fijian Tribe Defends Oceania Cup . The Fiji Sun . 31 August 2022.
  54. Web site: PNG Wins Oceania Title . The National . 11 February 2024.

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