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| Aussie Rules in Israel & Palestine |
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Aussie Rules has been played in Israel on a casual basis since at least 1995, when a group of around 20 players, mostly based in Jerusalem, began playing regular social matches in Tel Aviv.
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By 2005 around 70 players were still playing and there was discussion about creating a four-team league with sides from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and various youth programs.
A latge proportion of the playing base are members of the Jewish community in Melbourne who have emigrated to Israel.
Peres Center AFL Peace Team
The objective of the Peres Center AFL Peace Team is to create a mixed Palestinian-Israeli AFL team in order to compete in the AFL International Cup and demonstrate the benefits of cooperation and teamwork to an international audience.
Above Peres Peace Team jumper.
At the initiative of the Australian Friends Association of the Peres Center, the project was launched in January 2008 whereby a Palestinian-Israeli Peace Team was created and learned AFL in order to compete in the AFL (Australian Football League) International Cup in August 2008 in Melbourne and Warnambool, Australia.
Click here to watch a short video illustrating the work of the Sport Department of the Peres Center for Peace.
An introductory meeting was held in January whereby some 100 Palestinian and Israeli young adults were introduced to AFL, initially through an explanation with white board diagrams, followed by a DVD of an AFL game, and then by viewing an exhibition match first-hand (presented by ex-pat Aussies).
Here are two short videos about the Peres Peace Team. The first is an extract from the Australian documentary 'The Essence of rhe Game' and the second is a pictorial history of the team and the journey to the 2008 International Cup.
'The Essence of the Game'
'AFL IC08 Peres Center Peace Team - International Cup'
Subsequently, weekly training sessions were held for dozens of Palestinian and Israeli players, allowing them to become acquainted through their joint quest to learn the game and compete with dignity at the Australian tournament. The lack of an AFL field and the language barriers did not dim the excitement of the players, who trained with enthusiasm in order to demonstrate the power of Palestinian-Israeli teamwork to an international audience.
The AFL Peace Team attracted a diverse range of players. The kaleidoscope of backgrounds, religions and political beliefs ensured a fascinating process of acquaintanceship and in the short time that the players trained together, friendships and partnerships formed.
Above 'Dipper' issues instructions to the team.
Recognizing that AFL is not a well-known sport in this region, the Peres Center faced a great challenge in training the Palestinian and Israeli players and introducing them to all the rules of the game. Extra issues such as the lack of an AFL field in Israel or the Palestinian Authority, and the difficulty of training one team in two languages (Hebrew and Arabic), added to the overall challenge of creating a Palestinian-Israeli AFL team.
Highlights of the training program included:
- The visit by AFL ex-player and coach Kevin Sheehan during February 2008. During his visit, Kevin held three intensive training sessions with the squad of some 40 Palestinian and Israeli players. He helped the players to refine their skills including passing, kicking and marking, and encouraged the players by endorsing their brave efforts to come together under one banner and cooperate for a common goal.
- A 3-day training camp in April, whereby the Palestinian and Israeli players had a chance to refine their AFL skills, as well as bonding as team-mates and friends.
- Practice matches against a team made up of young Australians visiting the region. Two practice matches were held, the first in April, and the second in June. The Peace Team narrowly missed out on a win during the first game, but showed great improvement by thrashing the opponents during the second practice match.
- A visit to a training session by Australian Ambassador to Israel James Larsen. Ambassador Larsen commended the players on their teamwork, and talked about the important role that sport plays in Australia in encouraging interaction between different communities.
- Visits by AFL legends Ron Barassi and Robert DiPierdomenico (Dipper) to train the Peace Team in July 2008 in preparation for their participation in the AFL International Cup. During the visit, the Palestinian and Israeli teammates benefited from an intensive training workshop which included fitness drills, technical skills and strategy and tactic sessions. Dipper challenged the players and extended their skills - a role that he continued to play in Australia when he servedas the Peace Team's "match day coach". Furthermore, the playing tips offered by Ron Barassi were of muchassistance, and inspired the players to push themselves harder.
- A farewell event hosted by Australian Ambassador to Israel, Amb. James Larsen, where the staff of the Australian embassy in Israel wished the team well for their upcoming trip.
The AFL International Cup
The Peace Team was undoubtedly the crowd favorite among the 16 international teams, especially considering that the Peace Team’s 26 players only picked up the sport in early 2008, undergoing an intensive 7-month training schedule. Recognizing their limited match experience, the Peace Team notched up impressive results, winning 2 matches during the tournament (against China and Finland) as well as a practice match held prior.
The Peace Team was warmly welcomed by the Australian community who identified with the message of multi-culturalism and the utilization of sport to break down barriers between different cultural groups, and accordingly, the Peace Team’s games attracted large crowds, and the Peace Team was hosted by many different organizations, companies and individuals.
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Above Promotional poster for 'Tackilng Peace'.
A documentary titled 'Tackling Peace' about the project was released in 2009, winning the Provincia Di Milano Award for Outstanding Film, as well as receiving a Mention De Honeur in the Sport and Society category, 28th Festival of Sport Movies & TV 2010, Milan
In December 2010 it was announced that the Peace Team would be competing in the 2011 AFL International Cup.
Above 2008 Peres Peace Team poster
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Posted on Dec 28, 2010 13:59pm by admin
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