The United States Australian Football League (USAFL) Central Region tournament came to the Soccer Complex of Racine (SCORe) in Franksville on Saturday (July 11). Nicknamed “footy, ” Australian football is a fast-moving game played by 18-member teams who score goals by hitting, kicking, bouncing and running a ball that is somewhat rounder and larger than than an American-style football. The tournament was hosted by Real Racine, the county’s destination marketing organization.
The Central Region tournament brought 12 men’s teams and 3 women’s teams from as far away as New York, Texas and Colorado. Among players and family members, there were about 350 visitors to the county for the weekend.
The New York and Columbus (Ohio) women’s teams combined to take on the Minnesota Freeze women’s team in an exciting match.
An Australian Football match is four quarters – 20 minutes per quarter. Each match starts with a coin toss. This is the coin toss that started the Division 1 championship match between the New York Magpies (left) and the Austin (Texas) Crows (right).
The USAFL Central Region tournament – from Racine County – was webcast to a worldwide audience. Denis Ryan (USAFL president) handled the video and Brian Barrish (USAFL media director) did the play-by-play. More at www.usafl.com
Post-game team photos were a must. Our favorite team name was the Columbus Jackaroos – here they are!
Here are the Austin Crows – Division 1 champions.
The teams competed for these handsome trophies. Division 1 champion was the Austin Crows. Division 2 champion was the Dallas Magpies. Women’s division was the New York/Columbus team.
Real Racine enjoyed hosting the tournament and hope to have the USAFL return in the future.
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