Everything about The Arafura Games totally explained
The
Arafura Games is a
Multi-sport event usually held every
2 years in the
Australian city of
Darwin, in the
Northern Territory. It is an international event which draws its competitors from around
Australasia. First held in
1991, the most recent Games, held in
2007, involved 25 nations and over 3,000
athletes. From
2005, it'll include events for athletes with physical
disabilities.
Called a "meeting of Sporting Neighbours", the Arafura Games takes its name from the
Arafura Sea, which lies between northern Australia and
Southeast Asia. The Games were known as the Arafura Sports Festival up until
1997.
The Games were cancelled in
2003 due to concern over the
SARS virus.
These Games were the first ever international sporting festival to have
Australian rules football as an international competition sport in its own right. The
International Australian Football Council was formed after the 1995 Games.
Sports
The sports that are to be played at the 2007 Games are:
Australian Football at the Arafura Games
In 1995, the
Singapore Wombats,
New Zealand Falcons,
Hong Kong Dragons,
Papua New Guinea Mosquitos,
Nauru Chiefs and
Japan Samurai competed at the Arafura games in the inaugural Australian rules football competition, with Singapore and Japan playing as a combined unit.
Nauru didn't return in 1997, but Australian sides in the Central Desert Eagles, Combined Australian Defence Forces and a
Northern Territory Football League side joined the fray. The Australian Defence Force and NTFL sides were too strong, playing off for the Australian gold. The International
Gold Medal was won by
Papua New Guinea, with the
Silver Medal going to
New Zealand.
In 1999, the
Samoa Bulldogs debuted beginning the game with the
Sivi Tau (war dance) before the New Zealanders had finished their
haka. The tournament again featured 8 sides, the six international sides joined by the Central Desert Eagles and the Northern Territory under 16s representative side. Papua New Guinea again won the gold, NZ the silver and Samoa the
Bronze Medal.
2001 saw only four sides compete, these being Japan, Nauru, the Central Desert Eagles and a Northern Territory Super Rules squad. Nauru won the gold, the Central Desert Eagles the silver and the Northern Territory side the bronze.
In 2005, Japan were the only international attendees.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Arafura Games'.
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