Australian Football

Aussie Rules Football is a variant of football played outdoors between two teams of 18 players on a large oval-shaped grass field with an oval-shaped ball. The aim is to kick the ball between the posts as many times as possible. Players may use any part of their body to advance the ball (usually kicking, "handballing," and running with the ball). Players cannot throw the ball. There are no offsides and it is a contact sport, meaning that players may tackle to stop the advancement of opposing players.

Australian football originated in Melbourne, Australia in the 1850s. In the late 1980s, a series of professional exhibition matches were staged in Canada and drew large crowds and media attention. The first Canadian league was established in Toronto in 1989. Today, the Ontario League, centered in Toronto, is considered the largest league outside of Australia.

Australian football is primarily played in the summer.

While associated with Australian culture, the Ontario AFL league mandates that 16 out of 24 dressed players must be Canadian, ensuring that Canadians are represented in the league. The sport is played primarily by men, but women's leagues are growing in popularity.