History of Footy in Samoa

Australian football has been played in Samoa since 1997.

The Samoa Australian Rules Football Association (SARFA) was formed in 1998, becoming AFL Samoa in 2007. The national team, which first competed at the Arafura Games in Darwin, is known as the Bulldogs. The name was chosen as the AFL's Western Bulldogs wear the Samoan national colours and have sent some professional players to visit the islands on clinics.

In early years, the game was typically played under derived rules known as 'Samoa Rules' and on rugby fields.

The Australia Network began televising games in Samoa in 2002.

AFL players to visit Samoa for coaching clinics include Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson and Steve Kretiuk.

After the 2005 Australian Football International Cup, Australian football went into recess for 2006. In 2007 the game was reinvigorated under a new full-time development officer, mainly focussing on junior and schoolboys' development.

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