The AFL doesn’t own the football name
Roar Guru By Australian Football, 25 Apr 2010 Australian Football is a Roar Guru
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There are less than 50 days to go to the World Cup in South Africa. On the eve of the Australian national football team’s departure to compete in the greatest sporting event on the planet, they should hold on to the notion that they’re going with the blessing of all Australians.
However, some weeks ago a Victorian scribe took umbrage to an electronic sign, put out by Qantas, at the Etihad Stadium on the eve of the A-League Grand Final that stated, “Qantas supports Australian Football”.
From Adrian Musolino’s column: “As Stevens recently wrote on his Twitter page:” “I believe AFL should have exclusive rights to term Australian football. I can live with football alone but soc (soccer) is not Aus (Australian) footy.”
I would like to be clear on this point: the AFL does not own the name “Australian” or indeed the word “Football”. The AFL will tell you that it’s their given and moral right to the name in Australia, for their code to own exclusively the phrase “Australian Football”.
This is wrong.
Their legal name is AFL or Australian Football League, which is the legality, not Australian Football (part of), and if they were not so selfish they should have realised that.
There are four Australian football codes, not one, yet the AFL claims theirs is the anointed one. Not so. If they had the good sense, they should have realised that and named their code “Australian Rules Football.”
We have been told by the AFL advocates many times that the title football does not belong to football. Well let us football purists remind them that they on no account own the name Australian or the name Football and definitely not the term “Australian Football”, which is a phrase every Australian football writer will use in his or her articles, whether it’s on the 442 website, the World Game website or even here on The Roar website.
Qantas is the major sponsor of the ‘Qantas Socceroos’ who are about to fly the Australian national football team to their second consecutive appearance in the greatest football tournament of the world, where in the past four years 208 nations set out on a football qualifying process that has come down to the last 32 nations of the world.
These have been through a series of qualifiers and knockout matches with all nations naming their national football teams just that (bar a few exceptions).
I, for one, can no longer tolerate the AFL’s selfish notion that only they deserve to own the moniker “Australian Football”.
The FFA have made it clear that the tag “Australian Football” does not exclusively belong to the AFL.
Any national team in Australia, be it rugby union, rugby league or football, should be supported as Australian football on their world stage competing in their respective World Cups if they so desire to use the term or the phrase – and let that be known to the AFL and those who think otherwise.
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April 25th 2010 @ 4:05am
Alders said | April 25th 2010 @ 4:05am | Report comment
Seriously, why is this even an issue? You can call it tiddly winks but it won’t change the nature of the game just as calling it soccer doesn’t have impact on the quality of the spectacle.
April 25th 2010 @ 6:16am
Rabbitz said | April 25th 2010 @ 6:16am | Report comment
Blah blah blah football blah blah blah. Really who cares. Soccer in Australia made the rod for their own back by trying to appropriate a word that was in wide use by competitors as well as in use a colloquialism.
Also I must take you to task over “they should hold on to the notion that they’re going with the blessing of all Australians.” Why? Am I not allowed to not support them if I wish, if I disagree with their politics, with their policies? How about if I am an Australian born elsewhere? What if I just don’t like soccer? (None of which hold true for me but…).
Please accept soccer is a lower tier sport in Oz, despite the money thrown at it and until the socceroos actually win something it will probably remain that way (I does irk me when people get worked up at qualifying for a tournament).
In the spirit of the day –
Lest We Forget
April 25th 2010 @ 7:26am
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 7:26am | Report comment
Indeed lest we forget. The Australian National Football Team is off to Sth Africa representing Australian Football..
______
AF
April 25th 2010 @ 8:15am
Rabbitz said | April 25th 2010 @ 8:15am | Report comment
That’s a bit conceited, isn’t it? I mean that the socceroos are off to SA to represent you and you alone
(Tongue firmly in cheek)
April 25th 2010 @ 10:49am
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Rabbitz,
Cpaaa, has outlined an event that out rates any other Australian football code’s claim as “Australian Football” the Australian National Football team did a great service for the nation under real combat conditions. I can’t think of any other Australian Football Team that had to face such adversity like Johnny Warren’s Australian National Football Team had done where an Australian Government sent an Australian Football Team to conjure up some political point scoring—can you?
You should buy Johnny’s book; “Sheilas, Wogs, and Poofters”. It’s all there for one to read—it’s our history too.
April 26th 2010 @ 12:06pm
Con Stamocostas said | April 26th 2010 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
excellent article.
Continuing on from that theme; Half Time Heroes features articles on International and Australian football with out a rockmelon shaped ball to be seen
http://halftimeheroes.com.au/2010/03/25/march-2010/
April 27th 2010 @ 10:00am
Australian Football said | April 27th 2010 @ 10:00am | Report comment
Con,
thanks for the article—Australian Football is the roundball code as we believe it is.
April 25th 2010 @ 9:56am
Cpaaa said | April 25th 2010 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Rabbi your comments are just bizzare, you said….
“until the socceroos actually win something it will probably remain that way (I does irk me when people get worked up at qualifying for a tournament).”
In 1967 the Australian Government had sent the Australian Football team to Vietnam, right in the middle of a war zone. They called the “Friendship Cup”. It was meant to ease tensions amongst the Vietnamese people. The countries that agreed to take part were Australia , New Zealand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong.
Obviously our boys were escorted and looked after by Australian troops. Told through the eyes of Australian Captain Johnny Warren.We were told If balls were kicked over the goal posts not to collect them, there were mine fields in the area. Dont drink the water it is contaminated. Gun fire and bombings could be heard in the distance all day and night. Gunfire around the barracks means there is a threat in the area.It was a pleasure to eat at the U.S barracks, “the 5 Oceans” for they had the best food but still the person serving breakfast could be working for the Viet Cong. Viet Cong operatives were caught half a block from the hotel (more like a squaters den) where they were staying. The Viet Cong confessed that were going to blow up the building of the Korean team, 1 floor below the Australians.
Skylines constantly illuminated by flares around training grounds and match day, helicopters constantly monitoring the stadium, which happened to be packed with people. After matches on the team bus our boys were told to lie on the floor and put their bags over their heads just in case of an attack.
Australia had drawn South Korea in the final, the Koreans had their President, Vice President and Prime Minister in Support.
Our Australian Troops were denied access to the full Cong Hoa stadium, and we declared if room was not made we would not play. Hence room was made for the Aussie troops.
We were not used to full stadiums cheering for us considering Australias lack of support from the mainstream. The grand final itself was a Thriller. We went behind 0-1 in the first 30 seconds. Came back 2-1. The Koreans leveled at 2-2 before Atti Abonyi found the net, 3-2 the final score.
It was a fitting way for us to win Australias first International Trophy.
April 25th 2010 @ 10:05am
Cpaaa said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
…but wait there more,
Australian management were told that they could keep their tracksuits if they Won. Thats right, their tracksuits, If playing football in a war zone wasnt enough incentive, good grief.
JW: I felt it was a valuable experience to travel to Vietnam during the war because it forged a resiliant bond between the players and built a strong team spirit. Thats why I always say, that the first real Australian Football team was born out of the Vietnam War.
…theres more
April 25th 2010 @ 10:12am
Cpaaa said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Johnny Warren:
I guess thats why the tournament in Vietnam is so special to the guys involved and is permantently connected with the birth of the team that later became known as the socceroos.
I often say that the team should march in the Anzac Parade because of the role we played in the War.
Even the entertainers that toured toured Vietnam were in a controlled situation at the Australian bases, while we were right in the middle of the action.
Here we were a bunch of young kids, who were expected to play football while a major war raged around us. I dont think the team has ever recieved the recognition it deserved for its war efforts. Having said that, I wouldnt hesitate to do it all over again.
April 25th 2010 @ 10:31am
Cpaaa said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:31am | Report comment
So Rabbitz and others i hope i have enlightened you to something you didnt know. Coincidently on this Anzac Day, like you said “Lest we Forget”, or in mainstream terms for our football heroes of Vietnam
“Lest we forgotten”
AF thanks for the article but i am now late for my Anzac Picnic Day Out. Thankz Rabbitz for posting an absurd comment regarding Australian Football but i hope now every Anzac Day you can think of the Australian Football team and the contribution they had made for Australia.
Dont forget Rabbitz, for you, that it was Australian Footballs first ever international trophy, but ask any Football Purist and they will tell you, that the prize was never really the reward.
April 25th 2010 @ 10:52am
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Cpaaa,
magnificent posts—you’re a legend.
April 25th 2010 @ 11:19am
Rabbitz said | April 25th 2010 @ 11:19am | Report comment
Well if you must drag up some ancient history to justify the hoopla, then puts of the years of failure since into relief.
I don’t really believe that but it is a valid thought.
BTW playing in a friendly competition, to me at least, doesn’t warrant being thought of as making a contribution to Australia – In fact I don’t believe that any sporting achievement is a contribution to Australia, it is a sport, a game, a recreation.
April 25th 2010 @ 6:34am
Kurt said | April 25th 2010 @ 6:34am | Report comment
Yawn, nothing much to see here, move along everyone.
April 25th 2010 @ 7:29am
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 7:29am | Report comment
Thanzzz… Kurt, I’ll take that as a big yes..
_____
AF
April 25th 2010 @ 6:46am
Redb said | April 25th 2010 @ 6:46am | Report comment
April 25th 2010 @ 7:30am
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 7:30am | Report comment
_____
AF
April 25th 2010 @ 10:54pm
Country Victoria said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
Redb,
Soccer represents/refer’s to the English football Association or such does it not, am I correct in saying this? So if you refer to the A-league football teams as soccer or say Australian Soccer you are referring to the English Football Association and not to Australian Football.
A-League Soccer, is not the Australian League English Football Association.
Australian Soccer, is not the Australian English Football Association.
April 25th 2010 @ 7:42am
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 7:42am | Report comment
“AFL does not own the name Australian Football.”
Btw folks—this was the real title when this article was submitted a week ago..
______
AF
April 25th 2010 @ 8:05am
MyGeneration said | April 25th 2010 @ 8:05am | Report comment
“Any national team in Australia, be it rugby union, rugby league or football, should be supported as Australian football on their world stage competing in their respective World Cups if they so desire to use the term or the phrase ” – Hallelujah, AF, and go the Socceroos, the Wallabies and the Kangaroos this year! Who is this Stevens’ joker? Is he Craig Foster’s equally evil twin brother?
April 25th 2010 @ 8:23am
Forgetmenot said | April 25th 2010 @ 8:23am | Report comment
Literally the most bias article i have ever read… ever read!
Several suggestions for improvement:
1. There are more Australian Football leagues than just the AFL (WAFL, SANFL, O&M etc)
2. ‘Australian Football’ is the Official name of the code, just as Association Football is for soccer
3. The title ‘football’ belongs to all codes equally. However in the area of a codes popularity, it is entitled the use of the word (hence Australian Football being called football in SA, WA, Vic, Tas, and NT.)
4. “The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride and arrogance.”
April 25th 2010 @ 9:07am
Andyroo said | April 25th 2010 @ 9:07am | Report comment
The title ‘football’ belongs to all codes equally. agree, no problems here.
However in the area of a codes popularity, it is entitled the use of the word (hence Australian Football being called football in SA, WA, Vic, Tas, and NT.) but wait it seems some football codes are more equal than others. Are you saying the other codes can’t be called football in Vic?
That’s the contradiction which fuels this argument.
April 25th 2010 @ 10:04am
Forgetmenot said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Other codes can be called football.
However when you are talking to a stranger about football you should know exactly that they are talking about Australian Football in those states. The media then follows on from this.
Australian Football can be called football in London. However if i was to talk to a stranger about ‘football’ i would assume that they are talking about soccer.
It is well established what code ‘football’ refers to in each state in Australia. I never refer to Australian Football as football when in Sydney around people i dont know, but always call it football when in Southern NSW, Vic, Tas, SA etc.
However im pretty sure we all know the rules. Perhaps i should write a ‘rule book’ up for The Roar one day (a comprehensive one).
April 25th 2010 @ 12:18pm
Andyroo said | April 25th 2010 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
It seems I underestimated the problem and over estimated the general populations ability to understand context.
I guess that most of the crowd at the A league grand final were hoodwinked by Qantas and thought Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC were VFL teams and not until the round ball came out did they realise they were coned into supporting the wrong brand of Australian football!
April 25th 2010 @ 12:42pm
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
The ROAR tabs are just fine—don’t waste our time with your version of what a rule book should be.
April 25th 2010 @ 6:26pm
Forgetmenot said | April 25th 2010 @ 6:26pm | Report comment
Andyroo,
The confusion created outweighs the understanding of the context of the word/s.
AF,
Its the owners marketing strategy. And also the reason why i dont participate on here much. And probably also the reason that despite the site pursuing a relentless campaign to increase the amount of football supporters on the site (which is failing).
April 25th 2010 @ 9:20am
Richard said | April 25th 2010 @ 9:20am | Report comment
The fact is QANTAS does not support Australian Football. It sponsors Australian soccer. And in the process it insists that they be called the QANTAS Socceroos. Like the QANTAS Wallabies, and the usurping of the “I Still Call Australia Home” anthem. Now they’re trying to usurp Australian Football. The fact is QANTAS thinks it is bigger than all things Australian.
April 25th 2010 @ 10:05am
Forgetmenot said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
I never fly Qantas anymore. Worlds worst airline, domestic and international.
April 25th 2010 @ 6:48pm
BigAl said | April 25th 2010 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
.
.
mmmh? . . . – but they DO stay up more than anyone else !
April 25th 2010 @ 8:50pm
Forgetmenot said | April 25th 2010 @ 8:50pm | Report comment
Bad service though.
April 25th 2010 @ 9:50am
Redb said | April 25th 2010 @ 9:50am | Report comment
For a fair comment crusader Mygen your skating awfully close to the front
April 25th 2010 @ 9:56am
MyGeneration said | April 25th 2010 @ 9:56am | Report comment
How so, Redb? I was giving AF a wrap for one statement that was not trying to hog the term “football” for one code. I still think his moniker is unnecessarily provocative, but, you know, one battle at a time.
April 25th 2010 @ 10:44am
Harvey the Scouser said | April 25th 2010 @ 10:44am | Report comment
I don’t quite understand what is being argued here??
April 25th 2010 @ 12:38pm
Ben of Phnom Penh said | April 25th 2010 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
noted and agreed.
April 25th 2010 @ 2:08pm
Australian Football said | April 25th 2010 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
Harvey,
Do you think the ownership of the term “Australian Football” belongs exclusively to the AFL as the Melbourne Scribe has stated? Or can we acknowledge that all codes have a claim to the term..?