AFL Europe Podcast

On this episode of the AFL Europe Podcast's One Kick Later series, we're joined by Victoria Bieniek. Based in Warsaw, Poland, Victoria recently participated in the first ever women's game of Aussie Rules on Polish soil at the Nysa Cup. Victoria will also co-captain the Polish Angels at the upcoming Euro Cup, where Poland will have a women's team for the firs time. We chat expectations for Euro Cup, the growth of the game in Poland and how Victoria fell in love with the people and the culture surrounding footy. 

Welcome back to the AFL Europe Podcast. In a special edition of the show, we sat down with Chris Carson and Brett Osler - two men set to represent the Australian Spirit footy side at this weekend's ANZAC Cup in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Both gentlemen have significant familial, military connections to the region and were kind enough to speak candidly about those connections and share their thoughts and feelings towards the ANZAC weekend as a whole. 

In another edition of our One Kick Later series, we're joined by proud Northern Irish lad and Mid Ulster Scorpion, Donall Purvis. Amidst preparations for his Champions League debut this weekend in Amsterdam, Donall regales us with stories; from his time playing footy in Melbourne as a teenager, to the strict preparations the Scorpions have been making ahead of their first Champions League appearance. 

On this episode of the AFL Europe podcast, our 'One Kick Later' series makes its grand return for 2022. On this occasion, as part of our International Women's Week coverage, we are joined by the Godmother of women's footy in Ireland, Leiha Shrubsall. Leiha has been a part of women's footy in Ireland since it's inception in 2009, co-founding women's Aussie Rules in the country. Currently, Leiha is the AFLI Executive Women’s Competition Representative and also the co-founder & coach of the South Dublin Swans. 

Welcome back to the AFL Europe podcast! On our 31st episode, we're joined by former AFL footballer for the Brisbane Lions, Justin Clarke. Justin is currently a Rhode Scholar at Oxford University and recently took on the role of Oxford University's AFL Women's coach. We chat all things footy, diving into the highlights and lowlights of Justin's career and looking at life in the UK and how Aussie Rules is continuing to grow in Europe. 

#AFLEuropePodcast | Welcome to episode thirty of the AFL Europe Podcast with Matea Sedlaček from Croatia.

Matea was introduced to Australian Football in Zagreb by a colleague at her work and became instantly hooked with how the sport was played but also how welcoming the community was.

Playing with the Zagreb Panthers for over five years now, we jump into and chat about the history of women's footy in Croatia, her experiences travelling across Europe playing at AFL Europe events as well as how a coaching role in 2019 has helped her grow her knowledge of the sport.

#AFLEuropePodcast | Welcome to episode twenty-nine of the AFL Europe Podcast.

In this episode, we journey up to Sweden for our One Kick Later series to hear from current Swedish Ravens co-coach, and Port Malmö Lynx head coach, Daphny Bergqvist.

Daphny first played Australian Football in 2017 and after a couple of games and trainings, was off to Bordeaux to compete in the AFL Europe Euro Cup with Sweden.

Daphny shares how she first learned of the sport, her experiences representing Sweden and playing at international events,  the importance of culture and community in a growing sport and the transition from player to coach. Enjoy.

#AFLEuropePodcast | Greater Western Sydney Giant Nicola Barr joins the AFL Europe Podcast as a special guest for episode 28.

Nicola was the first-ever player to be drafted into the AFL Women's competition ahead of its inaugural season in 2017.

She has continued to play at the Giants since, and just a few months ago signed a two-year extension to see her with the club until at least 2023.

The AFL Europe community will remember Nicola from her travels around Europe in 2019, visiting and coaching more than ten different clubs as well as attending the Euro Cup in Norrtälje, Sweden.

Nicola speaks on how much she enjoyed spending time with the AFL Europe community as well as sharing a bit about her AFLW career with GWS, playing alongside Irishwomen Staunton and Stack, balancing life as a part-time pro athlete and the exciting upcoming stars at her club and in the competition. Enjoy!

#AFLEuropePodcast | Welcome to episode twenty-seven of the AFL Europe Podcast for another instalment of our One Kick Later series.

Bérengère Portal joined us last month to talk about the the rise of Australian Football in France and in particular, the growth of the women's game.

During an internship in Australia in 2008, Bérengère discovered Australian Football and was fascinated by it. Upon her return to France, Bérengère tried the sport with her university and has since played a significant role in the growth of the sport across the country.

Bérengère has represented France in international tournaments and events on numerous occasions, including travelling to Australia for the AFL International Cup and to Villers-Bretonneux for the AFL Europe ANZAC Cup.

#AFLEuropePodcast | In this episode we are pleased to be joined by AFL Talent Ambassador, Kevin "Shifter" Sheehan.

Shifter has been involved in footy all his life, from playing professionally with the Geelong Cats, to holding roles in scouting and talent identification with the Australian Football League.

In his time working for the league, he has played a leading role in developing pathways to the AFL such as the U16 & U/18 National Championships, AusKick and Draft Combine.

Beyond his work in Australia is his dedication and passion for developing the sport around the globe, which has seen him regularly attend the AFL Europe Talent Combine and other matches across Europe.

In this episode, Shifter shares his top upcoming AFLW and AFL draft prospects, some of his favourite moments as Talent Ambassador including the best players and draft pools he has ever seen, the evolution of recruitment, the future of international talent and much more.

Plus, a very special ending to the episode as for the first time ever, Shifter has selected and shares his 'Ireland AFL All Stars' side. The team of 22 is comprised of Irish players who have made the move over to Australia, from Gaelic to Australian Football, since the first Irishman signed into the league 40 years ago, beginning the 'Irish Experiment'.