History

Aussie Rules was first played in Wales in 1944 when the 462 Squadron played against the second Sunderland Squadron formed teams based on State of Origin (Victoria vs Western Australia) to play a match at Pembroke Dock.

Regular competition in the modern era began in Wales with the formation of Aussie Rules Wales (ARW) on September 1, 2006. Three teams from Wales, the Cardiff Double Blues, South Cardiff Panthers and Swansea Magpies, competed in a 9-a-side format with modified rules in the Welsh division (WAFL) of the ARUK National league. The Swindon Devils from England's West Country competed as a fifth side.

The season concluded with the Swindon Devils defeating South Cardiff by 71 points to win the inaugural (and only) WAFL Premiership.

Aussie Rules Wales ceased trading in January 2008 and was replaced by the independently-run Welsh Australian Rules Football League (WARFL), which is now the controlling body of the football code throughout Wales.

The inaugural WARFL Premiership season kicked off in May 2008, with the Cardiff Double Blues, South Cardiff Panthers and Swansea Magpies competing in 9 rounds in 9-a-side format with full AFL rules. The Cardiff Double Blues eventually defeated South Cardiff Panthers by 94 points to win the inaugural 2008 WARFL Premiership.

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