European Crusaders

The European Crusaders are an international Australian Rules Football team composed of European citizens.[1] Although Team Europe operates with a similar concept, the Crusaders were notably the first female all European team to compete in Australia for the Australian Football International Cup. The team was also the first female combined team to play in the International Cup with players originating from Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Northern Ireland and Scotland.[2] A male European Crusaders team was originally formed but disbanded prior to the tournament.

2017 AFL International Cup

In 2017 the European Crusaders formed and competed in the International AFL Women's Competition.[3] Meeting only a few days before the beginning of the tournament, the Crusaders became known for "their spirit, determination and improvement"[4] as it progressed. They trained at Princes Park, South Melbourne.[5] The majority of the team and staff are French women competing in the French Australian Football League, with a number of Paris Cockerels.[6]

2017 Squad Members
Staff Members
Role Name
Team Manager Fanny Maillet
Coach Graham Andrews
Support Staff Jon Sculley, Paul Ritchie, Joanne Mouradian
2017 International Cup Team[7]
Player Number Player Name Country Team Notes
1 Isabella Rositano Italy Rookie Isabella is an Australian canoeist who made her Australian Rules debut with the European Crusaders in the first game of the tournament.
2 Mathilde Combes France Paris Cockerelles
3 Joanne Mouradian France Paris Cockerelles Joanne sustained an injury during training so took on the role of runner during the International Cup.
4 Coline Duquet France Paris Cockerelles Coline was notably awarded a place on the 2017 World Team after her work in fallback[8].
5 Naima Ait El Mouden France Paris Cockerelles
6 Marine Assemat France ALFA Lions
7 Berengere Portal France Paris Cockerelles Captain
8 Catherine Giles France Paris Cockerelles
9 Linn Gardell Sweden Port Malmo Lynx
11 Amanda King Sweden Boston Demons (USA)
12 Emilie Giancarli France Bordeaux Bombers
13 Rachel Urquhart Scotland South Melbourne Vice Captain
14 Dagmara Ratinski Croatia Perth Angels
17 Leila Morgenroth Germany Sydney Uni Bombers
18 Charline Wood Germany Newtown Breakaways
19 Helene Pittet France Toulouse Hawks
22 Ana Barisic Croatia ZKAN Zagreb Panthers
26 Anne Pille France Paris Cockerelles
33 Laura Gauss Germany North Shore Bombers (Australia)
40 Camille Portal France Bordeaux Bombers
47 Frances Finn Northern Ireland Perth Angels (Australia)
81 Claire Perez France Paris Cockerelles

References
  1. "IC17 Preview: European Crusaders - World Footy News". www.worldfootynews.com. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  2. "International Cup stirs pride and passion - AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  3. "European Crusaders – AFL Europe". www.afleurope.org. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  4. "IC17 Tournament Review – European Crusaders – AFL Europe". www.afleurope.org. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  5. Holden, Peter. "AFL IC17 team preview: European Crusaders and Great Britain Swans". girlsplayfooty.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  6. "AFL International Cup - European Crusaders". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  7. 2017 AFL International Cup Guide. AFL House: AFL. 2017. p. 27.
  8. "French ruck keen to share 'full Aussie experience' - AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
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