Glasgow has had a spotted history of Aussie Rules in Glasgow. There have been rumours of a competition around WWII, where a number of expatriates were based here either as Ship Workers or Soldiers.

The very early stages of the game in Australia in the mid-1850s there are repeated references to Scots’ and Glaswegians’ roles in developing the game, something of which the Sharks are incredibly proud. John Macadam, a Scottish school teacher, officiated at the first recorded game held at the site of the MCG on 7 August 1858. John McCracken and his two sons, all of Girvan in the West of Scotland, established the Essendon Football Club in 1871 at their new home of “Ailsa” in Melbourne. Essendon is now one of Australia’s biggest professional teams and the West of Scotland roots run deep.

During the 90s the Caledonian Sharks was set up by John Boland and for a number of years held regular sessions and a couple a matches at the Catha Queens Rugby Park.

The Glasgow Sharks first season came in the inaugural 2004 SARFL season where some close games saw them run the experienced Edinburgh Bloods close right up to the Grand Final. As a young team in the SARFL the Glasgow Sharks hope to be a strong representative of the West of Scotland. It is important for the Glaswegian that we Sharks don’t let the game of Aussie rules in Scotland be monopolised by Edinburgh. Glasgow Sharks have worked hard to develop the game in the Glasgow area and are proud of the fact that so many locally-based players are regulars in the team.

They will be there for that One day in September!!!

Welcome to The Mighty Glasgow Sharks website.

In preparation for the new season 2010, we are currently upgrading the website.

Check back in a couple of days or otherwise visit the League site at www.sarfl.org.uk

Or the Facebook group Glasgow Aussie Rules Football Club (SARFL).

If you have any questions regarding this please contact info@sarfl.org.uk

Australia Day is just around the corner. It would be great if as many of the Sharks as possible could make it down to the Walkabout in Glasgow on the night. Australia Day is always an important day for recruiting in Scotland as its the one day in the year when we get loads of aussies out at the same time, as well as Brits who are interested in all things Australian.

If you’re new to the Sharks and fancy giving the game a go then head down to the pub on the night and see us there, where you can chat to some of our players about the game and the team.

Courtesy of the SARFL Website.

Our last Player in the Spotlight for 2009 is Ross Thomson. He is one on the most experienced  players (even including the aussies kicking about) with playing in Australia and representation of both Scotland and Great Britain.

Here’s what he had to say…

Name: Ross Thomson

Age: 40

Where are you from? Condorrat, Scotland

Club? Glasgow Sharks

AFL Club Supported? Adelaide Crows

Honours?

Debut for British Bulldogs in 2006 played as Captain 2007 and picked for the International Cup in 2008. Captianed Scotland at the EU Cup in Prague 2008.

How long have you been playing aussie rules?

Played my first game 1995 had seen it on TV and while backpacking in Australia picked up a game on Kangaroo Island.
How did you get into aussie rules in Scotland?

By luck, did a web search and it was just starting up.

Best/Favourite moments while playing aussie rules?

Pulling on the Scotland jersey for our first full International against Wales this year.

If you were stuck on an island with 2 people from your team, who would you want them to be and why? Jacko and Heppy, Heppy makes me laugh and Jacko can kick far enough that you could still play footy and not talk to anyone if you wanted peace!

Anything you’d like to add?

Having just come off the SARFLs best season in 2009 i’m really  looking forward to what looks like a bright future for the sport in Scotland although there is a lot of hard work ahead.