THE success of Community Football Weekend was always going to be measured by its prominence in far away places.

And while the weekend was a big hit in rural and regional communities around Australia, it was also welcomed in less traditional football places like Japan.

The Iino International Sports Festival introduced the Australian game to more than 120 participants on May 11.

Other sports such as hockey, American football and cricket were also introduced but football was the big winner, with most students later saying it was their favourite of the four sports.

The Japanese youngsters were won over by the jumpers, the game highlights on DVD, posters and other giveaways.

Participants were taught the basic skills required to play the game, hand passing, kicking and marking.

Following the event all schools in the area received four footballs which are sure to be enthusiastically kicked around Japanese schoolyards.

At the end of the sessions participants broke into small groups where they competed in a handball contest to win prizes donated by Japan AFL.

Before people moved to the next session all participants were presented with an educational handout explaining the game, a Sydney Swans Membership cap, Auskick sticker, Essendon Bookmark and Essendon team logo sticker.

The day wouldn’t have been possible without support from the AFL, Japan AFL, the Sydney Swans Football Club and the Essendon Football Club.