Clubs: 1 (Lisbon Dockers, sponsored by the Fremantle Dockers). Fremantle has kindly provided us with playing gear (jumpers, shorts, socks and balls) and other items such as t-shirts, goal-umpires’ flags, runners’ and water-boys’ vests.
Activity so far: some 22 training sessions in 2010 and 2011, 1 practice game on March 19, 2011
Number of people involved: the largest number of people ever assembled for a single event was 13, for the practice game on March 19, 2011. The largest ever attendance at a training session was 8. Altogether, at least 18 different people have taken part in our activity, including 5 Australians (3 of which are settled in Portugal), 1 Brazilian and 12 Portuguese nationals.
TV coverage: as of at least the 2008 season Eurosport 2 has been broadcasting games and highlights shows. Live broadcasts were introduced in 2010, as well as Portuguese language broadcasts (this happened right at the end of the season, the Grand Final replay was the first ever live broadcast in Portuguese).
Internet: there are two sites dedicated to Australian Football. One is a “general” site, containing information about the history and rules of the game, clubs, leagues and other competitions and also news about Australian Football, including all activities taking place in Portugal. The site is called “Futebol Australiano” - http://sites.google.com/site/futebolaustraliano/
The second site is the Lisbon Dockers’ club site. It contains information about the club and its activities - http://sites.google.com/site/lisbondockers/
Both sites were created and are regularly updated by David Valente.
Contacts with the AFL: the AFL updates us regularly on all its international activity, including the IC - Cup, the World XVIII, overseas funding, and other relevant matters. Their e-mails are usually sent by Peter Romaniw or Josh Vanderloo.
Contacts with other countries: contacts with Spain (including both Madrid and Catalonian teams and leagues), France and Switzerland have been established, with a view to promoting friendly games. With regard to the larger “European footy scene”, Philip Porublev, Aaron Richards and Brian Clarke have helped us along at various stages.
