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USAFL National Championships

The USAFL National Championships is a tournament for Australian rules football in the United States.

Since 1997, the National Championships have been a large event featuring teams from the United States and Canada in four men's divisions and two women's divisions. The competition is organized and run by the United States Australian Football League.

History

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The first championships were held in Cincinnati in 1997, and they were won by the host Cincinnati Dockers. The Queen City would host the first three Nationals, with the 1998 edition welcoming 10 teams. The 2017 edition saw the largest turnout in the history of the carnival; 53 teams representing 42 clubs across North America took part, including a record 13 women's teams representing 27 USAFL and AFL Canada clubs.

The Denver Bulldogs have been the most successful club at Nationals, winning Men's Division 1 eight times, Women's Division 1 six times, and Men's Division 4 once. The Austin Crows have won the second most titles, picking up their fifth Men's D1 crown in 2021. The New York Magpies, San Diego Lions and Boston Demons are the only other multiple Men's D1 winners, each having won twice.

Canadian clubs were first invited to the USAFL Championships in 2006. The first Canadian champions were the Vancouver Cougars and Calgary Kookaburras in 2008. The Calgary Kangaroos have won four Division 2 premierships while the AFL Quebec Saints have won two.

In 2005, the first USAFL Women's championships were held and were won by the Atlanta Lady Kookaburras. The Lady Kookas took home the first three premierships until 2008, when their 19-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Calgary Kookaburras. The Denver Lady Bulldogs then won six consecutive titles from 2010 to 2015, winning 20 consecutive games in the process until losing to the Minnesota Freeze. Their string of premierships ended at the hands of the San Francisco Iron Maidens, who have since gone on to claim seven-in-a-row of their own from 2016 to 2023.

Format

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The USAFL tournament seeding committee sets the divisions and seeding of all teams at least two weeks prior to the tournament. Teams are placed in divisions based on season performance, regional championships performance, previous Nationals’ performance, and team player availability. Teams are then seeded within each division, with teams that are geographically close together usually separated by pool to avoid matchups during the season repeating in the group stage. Clubs that aren't able to field full sides are combined with others to ensure that everyone is able to play.

The Men's Division 2 was created for the 1999 tournament, and has been used since 2001. Men's Division 3 was introduced in 2002, and Division 4 was added in 2007. A standalone reserves division was used in 2017, 2018, and 2021. A second women's division was created to accommodate combined teams in 2015, though the women's competition reverted to one division in 2021 due to reduced numbers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matches at Nationals are 40 minutes long, which is half the length of a typical full Australian football match. Usually, matches are played as two, twenty-minute halves with no time on. For the 2021 tournament this was changed to four, ten-minute quarters to allow for restrictions surrounding water runners as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finals matches that are tied after forty minutes of play are decided by a five-minute extra time period, followed by golden point rules if the match is still tied.

Each team is guaranteed three games on the weekend, usually two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Each division's Grand Final is played on Sunday afternoon, with the Men's Division 1 Grand Final being the final match of the weekend.

The top three men's divisions and women's Division 1 are played as 18-a-side. All teams in Divisions One and men's Division Two must be single entity squads; they may not combine with other teams. Men's Division Three is played as 16-a-side if both teams agree. Division Four is played 14-a-side or 16-a-side, and women's Division two is played 14- or 16-a-side. As of 2017, in all divisions each team is permitted to dress a maximum of 24 players.

All Divisions are subject to the "50-50 Rule", which requires at least half of the players on the field at any one time to be "nationals" of the country that their team represents. Players of other origin are considered "non-nationals." Prior to 2009, the players were designated "Australian" and "non-Australian", with at least half of the players on the field needing to be "non-Australian."

In addition to premiership medals, awards are also given to outstanding players in each division. The Paul Roos Medal, named after the former AFL player and coach and former US Revolution coach, is awarded to each division's Best and Fairest. The Coopers Medal goes to the most consistent player in each division, while the Geoff Cann Medal goes to each of the Grand Final MVP's. The umpires of the Grand Final in each division are each awarded the Hayden Kennedy medal.

Locations

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The USAFL had previously attempted to keep Nationals in the Midwestern part of the United States in order to keep travel costs down for teams on the East and West coasts, and for all teams to be able to bring as many players as they can. At the league's 2014 annual general meeting, USAFL president Denis Ryan stated that he wanted to have the three regions, East, Central, and West, alternate hosting duties.[1]

The 2020 Nationals tournament, originally scheduled for Ontario, California the weekend of October 10–11, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ontario would later host the 2022 Nationals.[2]

USAFL Nationals host venues
Year Date Host City Venue
2024 October 11-12 Austin, Texas Onion Creek Sports Park
2023 October 14-15 Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida Premier Sports Campus. Lakewood Ranch
2022 October 11-12 Ontario, California[3] Silverlakes Sports Park, Norco
2021 October 16-17 Austin, Texas[4] Onion Creek Sports Park
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[2]
2019 October 12-13 Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida Premier Sports Campus. Lakewood Ranch
2018 October 13-14 Racine, Wisconsin[5] Soccer Complex of Racine, Franksville
2017 October 21-22 San Diego, California[6] Surf Cup Sports Park, Del Mar
2016 October 15-16 Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida[7][8] Premier Sports Campus. Lakewood Ranch
2015 October 17-18 Austin, Texas[9][10] Onion Creek Sports Park
2014 October 11-12 Dublin, Ohio[11] Daree Fields
2013 October 19-20 Austin, Texas[12] Onion Creek Sports Park
2012 October 13-14 Mason, Ohio[13] Heritage Oak Park
2011 October 7-8 Austin, Texas[14] Onion Creek Sports Park
2010 October 10-11 Louisville, Kentucky[15][16] Champions Park
2009 October 9-10 Mason, Ohio[17] Heritage Oak Park
2008 October 11-12 Colorado Springs, Colorado[18] United States Air Force Academy
2007 October 13-14 Louisville, Kentucky[18] Champions Park
2006 October 7-8 Las Vegas, Nevada[18] Star Nursery Field at Sam Boyd Stadium
2005 October 1-2 Milwaukee, Wisconsin[18] Milwaukee Polo Fields, Merton
2004 October 9-10 Atlanta, Georgia[18] Atlanta Polo Grounds
2003 October 4-5 Kansas City, Missouri[18]
2002 Kansas City, Missouri[18]
2001 October 17-18 Washington, DC[18] Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, Maryland
2000 October 14-15 Los Angeles, California[18]
1999 Cincinnati, Ohio[18]
1998 Cincinnati, Ohio[18]
1997 Cincinnati, Ohio[18]

Yearly Results

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Year Men's USAFL Div 1 Grand Final Women's USAFL Div 1 Grand Final
Premier G.B (Total) Runner Up G.B (Total) Premier G.B (Total) Runner Up G.B (Total)
1997 Cincinnati Dockers (1) Nashville Kangaroos
1998 Boston Demons (1) 15.7 (97) Golden Gate Roos 1.1 (7)
1999 Boston Demons (2) 4.2 (26) Golden Gate Roos 3.2 (20)
2000 Denver Bulldogs (1) 3.4 (22) San Diego Lions 3.2 (20)
2001 San Diego Lions (1) 10.4 (64) Boston Demons 2.5 (17)
2002 Denver Bulldogs (2) 8.1 (49) San Diego Lions 0.2 (2)
2003 Denver Bulldogs (3) 8.5 (53) Boston Demons 1.3 (9)
2004 Denver Bulldogs (4) 2.6 (18) New York Magpies 1.1 (7)
2005 Denver Bulldogs (5) 4.8 (32) Milwaukee Bombers 1.1 (7) Atlanta Kookaburras (1) 6.5 (41) Florida Fusion 2.1 (13)
2006 San Diego Lions (2) 4.9 (33) Denver Bulldogs 2.0 (12) Atlanta Kookaburras (2) 3.10 (28) Pacific Coast Highwayers 0.0 (0)
2007 Denver Bulldogs (6) 3.3 (21) San Diego Lions 2.3 (15) Atlanta Kookaburras (3) 7.7 (49) Arizona Hawks 0.0 (0)
2008 Vancouver Cougars (1) 4.4 (28) Baltimore Washington Eagles 2.0 (12) Calgary Kookaburras (1) 4.3 (27) Atlanta Kookaburras 3.4 (22)
2009 Denver Bulldogs (7) 2.5 (17) Seattle Grizzlies 2.2 (14) Milwaukee Bombers (1) 8.3 (51) Calgary Kookaburras 1.5 (11)
2010 New York Magpies (1) 4.4 (28) Denver Bulldogs 1.1 (7) Denver Bulldogs (1) 3.1 (19) Calgary/Montréal 2.6 (18)
2011 Denver Bulldogs (8) 3.2 (20) Calgary Kangaroos 0.5 (5) Denver Bulldogs (2) 3.7 (25) New York/Montréal 0.1 (1)
2012 Vacated[19] Denver Bulldogs (3) 3.4 (22) Boston/Baltimore-Washington 0.0 (0)
2013 Austin Crows (1) 4.2 (26) Calgary Kangaroos 4.1 (25) Denver Bulldogs (4) 3.7 (25) San Francisco Iron Maidens 0.0 (0)
2014 New York Magpies (2) 2.4 (16) Orange County Bombers 2.1 (13) Denver Bulldogs (5) 2.3 (15) San Francisco/Portland/Arizona 0.4 (4)
2015 Austin Crows (2) 4.4 (28) Orange County Bombers 2.4 (16) Denver Bulldogs (6) 1st New York Magpies 2nd
2016 Austin Crows (3) 6.3 (39) Golden Gate Roos 2.1 (13) San Francisco Iron Maidens (1) 1st Denver Bulldogs 2nd
2017 Golden Gate Roos (1) 6.4 (40) Los Angeles Dragons 2.2 (14) San Francisco Iron Maidens (2) 2.2 (14) Denver Bulldogs 1.0 (6)
2018 Austin Crows (4) 4.6 (30) Golden Gate Roos 4.1 (25) San Francisco Iron Maidens (3) 3.2 (20) Seattle Grizzlies 0.0 (0)
2019 Austin Crows (5) 8.3 (51) Denver Bulldogs 1.2 (8) San Francisco Iron Maidens (4) 2.2 (14) Seattle Grizzlies 0.3 (3)
2021 Austin Crows (6) 10.8 (68) New York Magpies 2.2 (14) San Francisco Iron Maidens (5) 5.4 (34) Denver Bulldogs 2.5 (17)
2022 Austin Crows (7) 6.3 (39) Denver Bulldogs 2.4 (16) San Francisco Iron Maidens (6) 6.4 (40) Minnesota Freeze 1.1 (7)
2023 Austin Crows (8) 5.3 (33) Denver Bulldogs 2.4 (16) Golden Gate Iron Maidens (7) 2.2 (14) Minnesota Freeze 1.2 (8)
2024 Austin Crows (9) 8.4 (52) Denver Bulldogs 4.4 (28) Minnesota Freeze (1) 6.6 (42) Golden Gate Iron Maidens 2.0 (12)
Year Men's USAFL Div 2 Grand Final Men's USAFL Div 3 Grand Final
Premier G.B (Total) Runner Up G.B (Total) Premier G.B (Total) Runner Up G.B (Total)
1999 Baltimore Washington Eagles 3.4 (22) Southern Crusaders* 1.4.10
2001 New York Magpies 3.8 (26) Atlanta Kookaburras 2.3 (15)
2002 Orange County Bombers 7.3 (45) Golden Gate Roos 2.3 (15) Philadelphia Hawks 3.8 (26) Milwaukee Bombers 2.2 (14)
2003 Milwaukee Bombers 4.2 (26) Golden Gate Roos 3.1 (19) Kansas City Power 6.7 (43) North Carolina Tigers 0.3 (3)
2004 Arizona Hawks 3.4 (22) Philadelphia Hawks 3.4 (20) Cincinnati Dockers 8.5 (53) Kansas City Power 3.2 (20)
2005 Golden Gate Roos 7.3 (45) Philadelphia Hawks 1.4 (10) Minnesota Freeze 4.3 (27) Baton Rouge Tigers 3.3 (21)
2006 Baltimore Washington Eagles 10.9 (69) Minnesota Freeze 2.0 (12) Las Vegas Gamblers 7.5 (47) Baton Rouge Tigers 5.1 (31)
2007 Minnesota Freeze 3.5 (23) Seattle Grizzlies 2.2 (14) Saint Louis Blues 4.7 (31) Las Vegas Gamblers 2.4 (16)
2008 Seattle Grizzlies 3.4 (22) Calgary Kangaroos 0.3 (3) Kansas City Power 3.8 (26) Austin Crows 1.2 (8)
2009 Calgary Kangaroos 5.8 (38) Milwaukee Bombers 3.2 (20) Dallas Magpies 8.3 (51) Austin Crows 1.2 (8)
2010 Calgary Kangaroos 11.8 (74) Minnesota Freeze 5.1 (34) Austin Crows 4.4 (28) Fort Lauderdale Fighting Squids 2.5 (17)
2011 Dallas Magpies 8.6 (52) Austin Crows 0.5 (5) Arizona Hawks 5.2 (32) Atlanta Kookaburras 3.1 (19)
2012 Minnesota Freeze 1.6 (12) Los Angeles Dragons 0.3 (3) Chicago Swans 4.7 (31) Columbus Jackaroos 3.4 (22)
2013 Columbus Jackaroos 5.5 (35) Los Angeles Dragons 1.5 (11) Houston Lonestars 3.5 (23) Sacramento Suns 0.1 (1)
2014 Los Angeles Dragons 11.3 (69) Columbus Jackaroos 1.0 (6) Sacramento Suns 7.1 (43) Philadelphia Hawks 0.5 (5)
2015 Quebec Saints 3.9 (27) Sacramento Suns 0.0 (0) Portland Steelheads 5.7 (37) Cincinnati Dockers 1.3 (9)
2016 Calgary Kangaroos 6.3 (39) Columbus Jackaroos 0.3 (3) Portland Steelheads 7.4 (46) North Carolina Tigers 3.4 (22)
2017 Quebec Saints 5.6 (36) Orange County Bombers 1.1 (7) Seattle Grizzlies 4.3 (27) San Diego Lions 3.2 (20)
2018 Minnesota Freeze 5.7 (37) Portland Steelheads 3.0 (18) Philadelphia Hawks 7.4 (46) Cincinnati Dockers 3.2 (20)
2019 San Diego Lions 4.4 (28) Baltimore Dockers 1.4 (10) Boston Demons 4.2 (26) Columbus Cats 2.3 (15)
2021 D.C. Eagles 8.0 (48) Boston Demons 1.5 (11) Arizona Hawks 6.6 (42) Oklahoma Okies 2.1 (13)
2022 Boston Demons 5.3 (33) Sacramento Suns 3.5 (23) Denver Bulldogs (R) 5.3 (33) Arizona Hawks 0.3 (3)
2023 Sacramento Suns 4.6 (30) Seattle Grizzlies 4.3 (27) Philadelphia Hawks 7.8 (50) Oklahoma Buffaloes 2.2 (14)
2024 Houston Lonestars 4.1 (25) Seattle Grizzlies 3.3 (21) Calgary Kangaroos 7.6 (48) Chicago Swans 0.2 (2)

List of USAFL National Championship Premiers (Men)

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Teams Premiers Runner Up Total Year(s) won Year(s) lost
Austin Crows 9 0 9 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Denver Bulldogs 8 6 14 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
2007, 2009, 2011
2006, 2010, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
San Diego Lions 2 3 5 2001, 2006 2000, 2002, 2007
Boston Demons 2 2 4 1998, 1999 2001, 2003
New York Magpies 2 3 5 2010, 2014 2004, 2012, 2021
Golden Gate Roos 1 4 5 2017 1998, 1999, 2016. 2018
Cincinnati Dockers 1 0 1 1997
Vancouver Cougars 1 0 1 2008
Calgary Kangaroos 0 2 2 2011, 2013
Orange County Bombers 0 2 2 2014, 2015
Nashville Kangaroos 0 1 1 1997
Milwaukee Bombers 0 1 1 1997
Baltimore Washington Eagles 0 1 1 2008
Seattle Grizzlies 0 1 1 2009
Los Angeles Dragons 0 1 1 2017

List of USAFL National Championship Premiers (Women)

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Teams Premiers Runner Up Total Year(s) won Year(s) lost
San Francisco / Golden Gate Iron Maidens 7 3 10 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 2013, 2014, 2024
Denver Bulldogs 6 3 9 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2015
2016, 2017, 2021
Atlanta Kookaburras 3 1 4 2005, 2006, 2007 2008
Minnesota Freeze 1 2 3 2024 2022, 2023
Calgary Kookaburras 1 1 2 2008 2009, 2010
Milwaukee Bombers 1 0 1 2009
New York Magpies 0 2 2 2011, 2015
Seattle Grizzlies 0 2 2 2018, 2019
Florida Fusion 0 1 1 2005
Pacific Coast Highwayers 0 1 1 2006
Arizona Hawks 0 1 1 2007
Boston Demons 0 1 1 2012

*In 2016, the Bulldogs finished second in a round robin where no Grand Final was played.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Barrish, Brian (October 21, 2014). "Ryan: Future Relies on Coaching, Recruiting, and Schedule". USAFL.com.
  2. ^ a b Barrish, Brian (July 16, 2020). "USAFL Nationals 2020 Update". USAFL.com.
  3. ^ 2022 USAFL Nationals
  4. ^ Stevens, Rhiannon (October 25, 2021). "'Everyone who plays this sport is a little crazy': America's Aussie Rules football league is turning 25". ABC.net.au.
  5. ^ "Racine in 2018 - USAFL Nationals Head to Wisconsin". Publicnow.
  6. ^ "News from the Consulate". Australian Consulate-General, Los Angeles. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. November 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  7. ^ Neumann, Thomas (October 17, 2016). "Mason Cox Q&A: Surgery, finals and citizenship". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  8. ^ Neumann, Thomas (October 18, 2016). "North American clubs put their best footy forward". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  9. ^ Rine, Jessica (June 10, 2015). "Sacramento Australian Football League to host the Western Regional Tournament in Davis". Sactown Magazine. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  10. ^ Walker, Chris (October 13, 2015). "The Lady Bulldogs Are the Most Winning Team in Sports-Crazed Denver". Westword. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  11. ^ Bishop, Amy (May 6, 2014). "What Is Australian Rules Football? - Sacramento Press". Sacramento Press. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  12. ^ "Australia Football in America". Finding Houston. October 17, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  13. ^ "Beyond Bounds: Minn. Squad Nets National Football Title - Australian Style". CBS Minnesota. October 26, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "Q&A with Saints linebacker Craig Robertson". NewOrleansSaints.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  15. ^ Hossana, Paida (March 28, 2011). "Australian Rules Football Club - Sacramento Press". Sacramento Press. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  16. ^ Lieburn, Sara (November 11, 2010). "MBA student finds 'footy' success". news.wisc.edu. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  17. ^ Carpenter, Les (October 8, 2009). "Baltimore Washington Eagles Australian Rules Football Club Is Now More About Winning Than Drinking". Washington Post. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l US Footy Ten Year Commemorative Book (PDF). USAFL. p. 6. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  19. ^ "2012 Division One Championship Vacated". USAFL.com. October 30, 2012.
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