We are the premier Australian Football League in London made up of 9 clubs competing in both Men's and women's football in Premiership, Conference, Social divisions. First formed in 1989, AFL London was formerly known as the British Australian Rules Football League (BARFL). Eight clubs participated in the inaugural season in 1990, including the London Hawks, West London Wildcats, North London Lion
s, Earls Court Kangaroos, Lea Valley saints, Thames Valley Magpies, Wandsworth Demons and also a club based in Leicester, the East Midland Eagles. Of the foundation teams, four still survive in West London, North London, Wimbledon (formerly the London Hawks) and Wandsworth. Between 1990 and 2001, the league existed as one competition for all clubs, ranging from a high of ten clubs in 1991 to a low of six in 1998. In 2001 the League restructured to incorporate two levels of competition, known as the Premiership and Conference competitions. In 2007 a Social grade competition was also added to cater to growing numbers of players and teams.
2008 saw a restructure of Australian Rules Football in the UK, with the BARFL redeveloped to become AFL Britain, an organisation with less direct control over football in London, but a greater ability to support the growth of the game both in and outside the capital. Currently in 2013 the AFL London competition continues to offer three divisions of competition, and features a total of eight Clubs and eighteen teams playing each week. With more than 20 years of history AFL London is one of the oldest competitions outside Australia, and arguably the strongest in terms of player numbers and quality of football.
