This article originally appeared in the Rough Draft print issue, in stands August 2025. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
Most students at the University of Utah are no strangers to the energy and excitement surrounding the Utes’ football team. Every week, thousands of fans make their pilgrimage to Rice Eccles Stadium to cheer on their team. With games as memorable and legendary as the 2008 showdown against TCU and the magical upset against USC in 2022, it is no surprise that Utes’ football has become such a core part of the U’s culture.
Furthermore, soccer, the other kind of football, also has its fair share of fans in Northern Utah and beyond. Real Salt Lake has called the state of Utah home since 2004, representing the Beehive State on the professional level. The University of Utah has its soccer program, providing a platform for the sport at the collegiate level.
While American football and soccer are immensely popular in Utah, there’s yet another type of football sneaking under the radar of countless Utahns. Enter Australian rules football. Often referred to as “footy,” the Australian game is rich in history. The sport has had an extensive reach across the globe beyond its Aussie roots. As a result, it is no surprise that the sport is now gaining popularity here in the United States.
What is Australian rules football?
The 19th century saw the initial development of footy, introduced as an off-season alternative to cricket. Since its humble beginnings, decades of fierce competition and innovation have driven the sport to become a beloved pastime in its own right.
The sport is played with a ball similar in shape to that of a rugby ball; rounder than an American football, but more oblong than a soccer ball. The game usually occurs on an oval field measuring around 200 yards long. This allows the game to be played easily on pitches and stadiums used for cricket. At either end of the oval are four goalposts on which players score. A goal is scored when the ball is kicked through the middle two posts, earning six points for the kicking team. Similarly, when the ball goes between the outer posts (or hits the center posts), it is called a “behind” and scores only a single point.
Arguably, the most fundamental characteristic of Australian football is how the players can move the ball. Unlike in American football, the ball cannot be directly passed by throwing. Instead, there are two allowed methods of “disposal.” The first method is the “handball,” which involves the player using their fist to strike the ball. The second method is the kick, the most pivotal tool for a player, and is the primary method to score points.
When a kick that travels more than 15 meters is caught “properly” the receiving player is awarded a “mark” (a free kick opportunity). Marks are a critical aspect of the game and enable smoother movement of the ball upfield. Additionally, marks produce great goal-scoring opportunities called “set-shots.”
Altogether, the rules of Australian football produce an enthralling spectacle for sports fans. With competitive play, exciting highlights and legendary rivalries, the game has everything a spectator could want. For those who find themselves with the opportunity to watch a game of footy, the experience is highly recommended.
Australian football in Utah
Given the exhilarating experience of the sport, the question of “How can I fulfill my Australian football desires in the United States?” is naturally raised. This is where the United States Australian Football League, or USAFL for short, comes into the picture.
Started in 1996 as an opportunity to bring attention to the exciting sport here in the United States, the USAFL has grown significantly. Now, the USAFL is composed of clubs that span the country, providing easy access to the sport for many Americans.
With coordinated divisions of teams, organized matches make for plentiful opportunities to catch a game across the nation. Competitive play is not sparse throughout the tiers of the USAFL. As a result, the opportunity to play in the USAFL nationals carries significant importance and prestige for both the teams and players.
Furthermore, the USAFL consists of men’s, women’s and mixed-gender teams. The USAFL also sponsors programs that focus on teaching the Australian sport to children. With these initiatives, the USAFL has done an amazing job of making the sport accessible to anyone with an interest in the game.
While unbeknownst to most Utahns, Australian football has a home in the Beehive State thanks to the USAFL. The Wasatch WarGulls were created by Lizzy Sawyer in 2019 and are a member of the USAFL. As the sole representative of Aussie Rules Football in the state of Utah, the WarGulls highlight the importance of the sport’s accessibility in the state.
Throughout the team’s existence, the WarGulls have made significant strides in growing the sport for everyone in Utah. As stated on the WarGulls’ USAFL webpage, “Our club community is based on the fundamental belief that football is for all ages, genders, nationalities and abilities.” With both men’s and women’s teams, high-level competition can be found in our backyard.
On top of national competition for their men’s and women’s teams, the Wasatch club also holds “metro” matches. These matches are scrimmage matches played within the team. For these contests, the team is divided into two squads: the Rocky Mountain Ferrets and the Wasatch Wasps. These games provide excellent opportunities for local competition without the need for national travel.
Although the WarGulls went winless between 2021 and June 2024, their most impressive highlight would soon follow in October 2024. While joining players from the New York Magpies, the combined team participated in a historic USAFL Division V Tournament. There, the team won its first game in Wasatch franchise history. Then, they went undefeated to win the division’s Grand Final match against North Carolina.
Holding open practices and organizing matches against other USAFL teams, the WarGulls have generated excellent opportunities for residents to try the sport. Registration information can be found on the WarGulls website, and practice scheduling is often shared via their social media platforms. For those who wish to don the blue and yellow “guernsey” of the WarGulls and represent their state, it is easier than ever to get involved.
