AFL a hit among international students

The Sydney Swans game against Carlton on April 29 not only marked the Swans’ first Friday night game since 2003 but also the first time some international students got to watch AFL live.

Sixty students from the International College of Management in Sydney were given the opportunity to watch a brand new game at the historic SCG.

Derrick Bordeleau, a student from America, shares his experience at the game with aflnswact.com.au.

“A few weeks ago I went to my first ever AFL game. Coming from America where sports such as Basketball, American Football and Baseball are the dominating sports, I had never heard about the sport of AFL before arriving here in Australia; however I am now a fan.

We were a bit unlucky with the weather since it rained for much of the game, but I had a great time. It was my first visit to the Sydney Cricket Ground, and the atmosphere was great.

The fans were very passionate and I couldn’t help but cheer for the “Swannies” and my new favourite AFL player Adam Goodes.

We had seats not far from the field and saw an exciting game against Carlton, even though the Swans lost.

The tenacity and the flair of the players were amazing, and I am quite impressed by the overall athleticism required by the players to play the game. 

I am returning to United States in a month time and I am certainly going to introduce my friends back home to the sport of AFL. One day it might rival our own American Sports.”