Reading Kangaroos

The Reading Kangaroos are an Australian rules football club who play in the English town of Reading. Formed by Australians living in the area, the club quickly grew with strong local interest, now attracting players from all over Berkshire. The club is generously sponsored by IXEurope and the local Walkabout & Surfer's Paradise (bar & club) in Reading, Berkshire.

History

The Reading Roos were formed for the 2003 British Australian Rules Football League season, playing in the newly formed BARFL Regional division. They played their first match against a selection from Oxford University at King's Meadow in Reading, and in the regular season, went on to make the grand final – although they were defeated by the Bristol Dockers.

The 2004 season saw the Roos win the grand final, thumping Bristol 28.20.188 to 1.6.12. The club also travelled to Aalborg in Denmark and won the Sheep Stations Cup against the North Copenhagen Barracudas.

In 2005, the Roos competed in both the BARFL Premiership and the BARFL Regional competitions, though they failed to make the grand final in either league. The club did repeat their victory in the Sheep Stations Cup, this time held in Copenhagan, Denmark, defeating the Farum Young Guns.

In 2006, the club competed in the BARFL Regional division, again winning a grand final against the Nottingham Scorpions. The club also successfully defended the Sheep Stations Cup, held in Landskrona, Sweden, defeating the South Dublin Swans in an epic final.

In 2007, the club are looking forward to competing in the British Australian Rules Football League London competition, raising their game again. With a trip planned to Denmark to defend the Sheep Stations Cup, a pre-season re-union match against Oxford University and many other activities, it should be a great season!

International tour matches

In early 2005, the Roos toured to Atlanta in the USA, defeating the home town Atlanta Kookaburras. In 2006 they competed in Perpignan against a French national selection, winning a tight match.

Player Development

The Roos are lucky to count among their number several Australians who have played to a good standard in the Australian leagues. These experienced Aussies help bring through British talent quickly and have contributed greatly to the Roos counting 4 current British Bulldog's squad members in their ranks.

The Roos have attracted players from a wide variety of backgrounds, including soccer, rugby (union and league), basketball, athletics and, of course, native Aussie Rules.

External links

* [http://www.readingroos.co.uk Reading Roos]