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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you have to be Australian to play?NO! The West London Wildcats welcome players from any nationality who are living in the UK to play. To compete within the British Australian Rules Football League (BARFL – www.barfl.co.uk), we must have a 50/50 ratio of Australians and European passport holders (predominantly Irish, English and Scottish) playing the Premiership division. Therefore, even if you have never kicked a football before in your life you are still able to play for the Wildcats! Are the players professional or amateur?The players are all amateur. As such, we organize our trainings and games to try and accommodate for the work schedules that many have in London. The West London Wildcats Sports Club is a not-for-profit charitable organisation. What level of football is the BARFL?The standard within the teams vary, including players who have previously played at a professional or amateur level in Australia, EU’s who have played for a number of years in the UK, and also both Australians and EU’s who are learning the game for the first time. For those that have played football in Australia, a comparable standard of the West London Wildcats is a mid-level amateur side, although rapidly improving in standard. What fitness level is required?Australian Rules football is perfect for people who have previously played any competitive sport, such as Soccer, Rugby, etc. The level of fitness is similar to that of players for a rugby or soccer team, but also containing plenty of contact tackling. How many games are played per year?In season 2004, the West London Wildcats played 12 games, with 2 being finals games. In 2005 we shall be playing 12 home and away matches plus finals. This also applies to the Shepherds Bush Raiders and Ealing Emus What is the "Premiership Division"?This is the top London competition in which the 7 Premiership clubs compete in. This is made up of the West London Wildcats, North London Lions, Wimbledon Hawks, Wandsworth Demons, Sussex Swans, Reading Kangaroos and Putney Magpies. Who are the "Shepherds Bush Raiders" and "Ealing Emus"?Due to the interest in the game here in London, the Wildcats were able to establish a second and third representative team, the Shepherds Bush Raiders and Ealing Emus respectively. The Raiders have won all 4 premierships in the Conference division since its inception in 2001 and the Emus are only a short step away from playing in finals for the first time. The Wildcats are the only club in the UK to have 3 playing teams in the BARFL thus making us the biggest club outside of Australia along with the Kittens 8 netball teams. What is the "Conference Division"?The Conference Division is made up of all the Premierships second teams but is split differently in the amount of Australian and European players required in each team. The split is generally 14 Rest of the World (ROW) players and 2 EU’s but depending on club numbers can normally play 16 ROW and 2 EU’s on the ground at one time. But by no means does it mean that more than 2 EU’s can’t be played. This division is made by the Raiders, Regents Park Lions, Fulham Tigers, Clapham Demons, City Swans, Hammersmith Magpies and Ealing Emus. What is the required commitment?The Wildcats aim to provide an opportunity to play football at both a social and a reasonably serious level, through the Premiership and Conference divisions. As most players have significant work commitments and travel plans, it is rare that players are available for all 12 games, or indeed all trainings. The expected commitment is to make training and games when available, bearing in mind individual work and travel commitments. Playing footy in London is not the reason people come over and during the season players are encouraged to take a week off here and there for travelling. We also as a the only club incorporate a bye for the running of the bulls festival in Spain as our sponsor PP Travel take groups out there and rewards the club for sending customers to them mentioning the ‘Wildcats’. How long does the season run?Pre-season training commences at the end of January and culminating with the pre-season cup in April. The season runs from the start of May through to the start of September. Once the season is finished it is then off to the Greek Islands for a week long footy trip and hopefully celebration of a Premiership. How much does it cost to play for the club?The club provides a membership for £40 which covers a player's BARFL registration. Players are also given a club t-shirt and Wildcats membership card. This card entitles the bearer to drink specials and privileges at our major sponsor, the Walkabout, and also at Jumbucks both located in Shepherds Bush. What does the club use membership funds for?Membership funds are used to purchase equipment, e.g. jumpers, balls, water, first aid etc., provide umpires for games and the general running expenses of the club. The club also undertakes extensive fundraising and sponsorship activities to provide player subsidies and to cover a portion of the general expenses of the club. Do the Wildcats travel to play teams outside of London?Yes, the Wildcats play a number of away games per year. In 2005 the Reading Kangaroos and Swans 'away' games will involve bus trips as a club to the relevant venues and in the case of Reading a possible overnight trip as a club bonding session! How are these trips funded?Away trips which require a bus are paid for by the club, but accommodation on these trips is generally organized for the players to pay for if required. For away games that are within driving distance of London, players are required to make their own way to the grounds via public transport (tubes, buses, trains) or by driving. Where do the Wildcats train and play?During season 2004 the Wildcats trained on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Tuesdays have been at Gunnersbury Park in Acton Town an area popular to most in West London. Thursday night’s training is held at our home ground at Trailfinders Sports Club in Ealing. After training we would select the sides for the upcoming round whilst enjoying a meal and refreshing pint! Is there an opportunity to represent my country?Yes! British players are eligible to be selected in the British Bulldogs team, the UK National Team, which regularly plays in tournaments against teams from all other AFL playing nations in Europe and also America and Canada. Based on performances in the 2002 season, the West London Wildcats had 6 players make the British Bulldogs team in the inaugural International Cup in Melbourne and hope 2005 will be even more prosperous for our players. Do the Wildcats organise social events?Yes – the Wildcats has one of the biggest and best social calendars in London. Over the years our social days have long been remembered as some traveller's best times in London and we expect to continue this tradition. The social season kicks off with our annual Pub Crawl, this years taking off on March 19th from the Walkabout at 12 noon. To follow this up will be the Wild Day Out including the ‘Full Monty’ performance, Wild Ball, Last Man Standing reverse raffle, numerous ladies and sponsors days, fundraising events, ‘triple headers’ with all 3 sides playing at home, Grand Final parties and Presentation nights so don’t miss out! Do the Wildcats organise visas for Australians?No. The Wildcats are an amateur club run by volunteers. Australians who have queries regarding employment or visas in the UK should contact either their local Australian Consulate or the Australian Embassy. Where can I find out more?If you have further queries, check out the links at the top the home page on our website (www.wildcatsfc.com) or contact info@wildcatsfc.com |