European Crusaders Explained

Europe
Badge:Flag of the European Union.svg
Union:AFL Europe
Rank: 10th
Rank Date:October 2022[1]
Ic Apps:1 (first in 2017)
Ic Best:7th (2017)

The European Crusaders are an international Australian rules football team composed of European citizens.[2] Although Team Europe operates with a similar concept, the Crusaders were notably the first female all European team to compete in Australia for the Australian Football International Cup. The team was also the first female combined team to play in the International Cup with players originating from Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Northern Ireland and Scotland.[3] A male European Crusaders team was originally formed but disbanded prior to the tournament.

2017 AFL International Cup

In 2017 the European Crusaders formed and competed in the International AFL Women's Competition.[4] Meeting only a few days before the beginning of the tournament, the Crusaders became known for "their spirit, determination and improvement"[5] as it progressed. They trained at Princes Park, South Melbourne.[6] The majority of the team and staff are French women competing in the French Australian Football League, with a number of Paris Cockerels.[7]

2017 Squad Members

Staff Members!Role!Name
Team ManagerFanny Maillet
CoachGraham Andrews
Support StaffJon Sculley, Paul Ritchie, Joanne Mouradian
2017 International Cup Team[8] !Player Number!Player Name !Country!Team!Notes
1Isabella RositanoItalyRookieIsabella is an Australian canoeist who made her Australian Rules debut with the European Crusaders in the first game of the tournament.
2Mathilde CombesFranceParis Cockerelles
3Joanne MouradianFranceParis CockerellesJoanne sustained an injury during training so took on the role of runner during the International Cup.
4Coline DuquetFranceParis CockerellesColine was notably awarded a place on the 2017 World Team after her work in fallback[9] .
5Naima Ait El MoudenFranceParis Cockerelles
6Marine AssematFranceALFA Lions
7Berengere PortalFranceParis CockerellesCaptain
8Catherine GilesFranceParis Cockerelles
9 Linn GardellSwedenPort Malmo Lynx
11Amanda KingSwedenBoston Demons (USA)
12 Emilie GiancarliFranceBordeaux Bombers
13 Rachel UrquhartScotlandSouth MelbourneVice Captain
14Dagmara RatinskiCroatiaPerth Angels
17Leila MorgenrothGermanySydney Uni Bombers
18Charline WoodGermanyNewtown Breakaways
19Helene PittetFranceToulouse Hawks
22Ana BarisicCroatiaZKAN Zagreb Panthers
26Anne PilleFranceParis Cockerelles
33Laura GaussGermanyNorth Shore Bombers (Australia)
40Camille PortalFranceBordeaux Bombers
47 Frances FinnNorthern IrelandPerth Angels (Australia)
81 Claire PerezFranceParis Cockerelles

Notes and References

  1. https://worldfootynews.com/article.php/20221023151904146
  2. Web site: IC17 Preview: European Crusaders - World Footy News. www.worldfootynews.com. 2017-09-05.
  3. News: International Cup stirs pride and passion - AFL.com.au. afl.com.au. 2017-09-05.
  4. Web site: European Crusaders – AFL Europe. www.afleurope.org. en-GB. 2017-09-05.
  5. Web site: IC17 Tournament Review – European Crusaders – AFL Europe. www.afleurope.org. en-GB. 2017-09-05.
  6. Web site: AFL IC17 team preview: European Crusaders and Great Britain Swans. Holden. Peter. girlsplayfooty.com. en-AU. 2017-09-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20170910125154/http://girlsplayfooty.com/2017/07/afl-ic17-team-preview-european-crusaders-and-great-britain-swans.html. 2017-09-10.
  7. News: AFL International Cup - European Crusaders. SBS Your Language. 2017-09-05. en.
  8. Book: 2017 AFL International Cup Guide. AFL. 2017. AFL House. 27.
  9. News: French ruck keen to share 'full Aussie experience' - AFL.com.au. afl.com.au. 2017-09-08.