..ABOUT THE MAGPIES……………………..

So, you’re interested in this little game of ours called “Footy” and, more to the point, the bastion of Aussie Rules Football here in Dallas, the Dallas Magpies Australian Rules Football Club. Well, please read on.

Where It All Began:

The Dallas Outlaws was created in 1997 by a few restless Australians and a couple of adventurous Americans itching to “have a kick” of the Sherrin (Australian’s brand name football of choice). After the euphoria wore off of finally getting to play the game of footy again the fellas thought that it might not hurt to get a little more serious and align themselves with a well established football club in Australia, the Collingwood Magpies.

Collingwood is one of the oldest, well-known Australian Rules football organizations in Australia. Founded in 1892 they have achieved 15 Grand Final (Super bowl in the U.S.) victories and continue to be one of the most competitive teams in the Australian Football League (AFL).

In short, the Dallas Magpies (named after our sister club) was born. It was time to get down to business.

The Dallas Magpies Today:

The Dallas Magpies of today has grown from a motley crew, of ten or so blokes kicking the football around on any given Saturday, to a legitimate sport and charitable organization of 60 registered players and a supporter base of over 300. The Dallas Magpies run cultural school Football clinics in Dallas/Forth Worth area schools, and also run children’s Football clinics in the Dallas area. In addition to the children’s clinics, we have regularly scheduled trainings; an established coaching staff; a full schedule of games (both here in Texas and against teams throughout the country); a governing Executive Council; a fair dinkum (Aussie. Slang) scoreboard (see below), and a smattering of thoroughly enjoyable club events throughout the season. This continues to grow from year to year.

The Dallas Magpies are members of the United States Australian Rules Football League (USAFL) which governs Australian football in the U.S., and play in the Mid American Football League (MAAFL) which is one of the most competitive regional leagues in the U.S.

The Magpies, along with the Austin Crows have founded the Texas Australian Football League (TXAFL). The TXAFL is a league for all new comers to Australian Rules Football can come and play. The TXAFL boasts teams from Dallas, Austin, Houston and soon San Antonio in our home state. The TXAFL is a 9-a-side format where players of all shapes and sizes enjoy footy. All new comers to Australian Football can come out and enjoy this sport without fear of injury or not knowing how to play

USFooty Kids:

The Magpies are a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code focusing on the cultural interaction of Americans and Australians. One of the primary goals of the club is to reach out to the D/FW community by helping schools educate children on Australian culture, and by introducing them to a sport - Australian Rules Football - that is played by children their age on the other side of the globe.

Players, Coaches and Committee members construct and run one-hour clinics for various grades at D/FW area schools. These clinics involve a brief history of Australian Football, going back to the sport’s beginnings in the 1800s in Australia. We discuss the field dimensions and rules of the game, such things as a team consists of 18 players on the field at once. After a brief overview of the game, the basic skills needed to play the game are taught, (i) the drop punt, (ii) the handball and (iii) marking (catching). After a brief inside demonstration, the kids got to go outside and try out their newly learned skills by playing a small game.

Games, Tournaments and (boooo, hisssss!)Training:

Games :

The Magpies play 6 games a year against teams in the MAAFL. Half of the games are played at home and the other half away. These games occur between the months of May and September (regular season). The winner of the League Premiership is decided by a points system at the end of the season. The Magpies travel as a squad to places like Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Kansas City and Cincinnati. We play all league games on Saturdays.

Speaking of which, besides the MAAFL home games, the Magpies play sanctioned matches with teams from the TXAFL where we play contingents from Austin, Houston and divvied up Dallas teams.

New players are always be welcome, and encouraged, to play in any TXAFL tournament or game. From the TXAFL games, the Magpies coaching staff pick the starting line up for the traveling Dallas Magpies MAAFL squad.

Tournaments:

The crowning moment of Australian Rules Football in The USA is our National Championship that is sponsored by the USAFL and is hosted by a different U.S. city each year. The entire roster of 41 Australian Rules Football teams in the U.S. meet for one weekend in October in a round-robin competition to decide who is the best of the best. There are three divisions (I, II & III) and 2003 was the first year that the Dallas Magpies competed in the highest level of Australian Rules Football competition in America, Division I. This illustrates just how far we have come in a short period of time, you’ve got to be a part of it. It is a truly awesome event and the Dallas Magpies have sent a full team to it every year but one since 1999.

Trainings:

You’re not up to scratch, feel a little unfit to play or haven’t the foggiest idea on how to play the game in the first place? No worries. The Dallas Magpies has regularly scheduled training sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays where players who actually play in the Dallas Magpies A team train with TXAFL players and new comers to the sport. These trainings are lead by our seasoned coaches who will teach you the very basics of the game and build you up gradually to the point of being a “proper footy player”. A side note is that this is NOT just a game for Australians (regardless of the name). This is evidenced by the fact that much of the Dallas Magpies player roster is made up of Americans and other nationalities (many of whom were oblivious to the game until we introduced it to them and are now some of our best players, seriously). The training grounds are in various locations around the Metroplex for convenience and although not mandatory to attend in order to get a game are highly recommended.

After The Game:

In order to raise funds and to further our mission, “to create a growth-oriented and competitive football club that promotes friendly cultural interaction between Australians and Americans” the Dallas Magpies sponsor various events throughout the season such as:

Children’s Football Clinics and Demonstrations – The Magpies routinely hold clinics for children around the metroplex.

Magpies and Mudbugs - An annual Crawfish Boil in March where you can eat as much crawfish you want, partake in as much beverages as you please and listen to some great entertainment whilst meeting fellow football enthusiasts (not just players) for a nominal fee.

OZ Fest – A weekend of Australiana including Australian sports, such as ours and cricket, and various vendors showcasing goods and services unique to the Australian culture. All proceeds going towards club development.

AFL Grand Final Watching Party – A night at a sponsor establishment showcasing the Australian Rules Football Grand Final telecast live from Australia in which you get to watch the game played the way it’s supposed to be played by two of the best Australian teams of the year via satellite TV. Aussies and Americans alike come out of the woodwork to watch the spectacle, intermingle and participate in the various raffles and other activities sponsored by the club.

Thursdays at the Blarney Stone – A regularly scheduled night out at our sponsor establishment during the AFL season where you get to watch a replay of the game of the week of Australian Rules Football played in the home of Australian Rules Football.

Gotta Be In It!

So you see becoming a member of the TXAFL or even possibly (through some talent and hard training) the Dallas Magpies Australian Rules Football Club (whether it be player, sponsor or fan) is a thoroughly rewarding investment. You get to watch/play one of the most exciting sports around and meet some really great friends all couched in the positive environment of athletic competition. Come Have A Go!

For any questions you may have or requests for more information please do not hesitate to contact us via email at recruiting@dallasfooty.com. This email can be used by interested players, sponsors or spectators. Or: SIGN UP NOW!