Atlanta Kookaburras

The Atlanta Kookaburras combining with the local Irish team Clan naGael went very close to taking out the first ever International Rules game in the south of USA when in Charlotte NC last week. The game which is combination of both the Aussie Rules game and the Gaelic code was played in draining heat and humidity but in front of a small but vocal crowd.

The Atlanta Internationals held the upper hand for most of the game but ran out of legs when it counted. Interestingly the Atlanta team was made up of mostly Kookaburra players knowing only Aussie Rules Footy whilst the Charlotte team was most Gaelic players. This made for an interesting game all day as both teams adjusted to several new rules that were unfamilar.

Othan than the rules the biggest adjustment for the Aussie Rules players is obviously playing with a round ball that is not unlike a heavy volley ball, while for the Gaelic boys the tackling of game is something quite different to what they are used to. The final result was Charlotte 51 defeating Atlanta 48 in a game that both teams deserved to win. In 2007 the game will be hosted by the Kookaburras and the Clan naGael clubs in Atlanta.