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!!!
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