What Happens in a Goanna Year

The Opening Party

The Tokyo Goannas social calendar opens up with a great opening party held around Anzac Day. The Goannas opening party is an chance for veteran Goannas to say g'day to old mates and welcome new players and Goannas suppoters into the club. An AFL game is always on the TV and the Goannas opening party is always a sensational start to the year.

Games and Training

The Tokyo Goannas play regular games against the other six teams in the Japan Australian Football League (JAFL). The JAFL season is played from late Spring through until Autumn with a break for the hottest part of summer coinciding with the Australian AFL season. The other six JAFL sides, hailing from Tokyo through to Nagoya and Osaka, are made up of both Aussie expats and local Japaneses alike. Goannas matches are held on a number of grounds around Tokyo plus the away games where the Goannas battle it out against Osaka and Nagoya on their home turf. Games are always competitive but played in good spirit and the Goannas players and supporters love to share an ale and a laugh after the final siren.

Training normally takes place on a Sunday by the Tamagawa River at Futakotamagawa about 30 minutes from Shibuya. Its a great oppotunity to run a few cobwebs out and enjoy a kick of the footy and for the newcomers to learn the skills of AFL footy.

Anyone that is keen to come down for a kick, players of all ages and skill levels are always welcome at the Tokyo Goannas. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us via the Contact link at the top of this page. Also, watch the blog for upcoming games , training and Goannas social events.

AFL Games

In the old days the boys would huddle around a short wave radio and listen to their team in a park with a few coldies. These days the Tokyo Goannas enjoy watching live AFL footy every week during the AFL season at Paddy Foleys in Roppongi. It is great way to spend a Friday, night or a weekend afternoon watching the footy, enjoying a beer and maybe having something to eat off the great pub menu. Bring your Goanna's members keyring to enjoy a 10% discount off on drinks at the best pub to watch AFL footy in Tokyo.

The Goannas Annual Ball

The highlight of the Tokyo Goannas social calendar is the annual Black Tie Goannas Ball held at the Australian Embassy. While it is a great oppotunity for the boys to get dressed up it is the Goannas Ladies that steal the show year after year. Check out the Gallery for some great pictures from previous years events. The Ball includes entertainment throughout the night including auctions of AFL merchandise, raffles of prizes donated by our great sponsors and as well as great music throughout the night. Watch the Event Calendar for details of this years event and be sure to mark it in the diary early as its an event not to be missed.

The AFL Grand Final

The best way to enjoy the last day in September in Tokyo is undoubtedly with the Tokyo Goannas annual AFL Grand Final function. Starting with a traditional Grand Final breakfast and culminating with watching the crowning of the best team in the AFL, it is an event not to be missed. Be sure to watch the blog for details of the day and also don't forget to check previous AFL Grand Final events in the Gallery.

Ned Kelly Cup

The Australian and the Irish communities have a long association in Japan. The Ned Kelly Cup has a long history and is a chance for the Tokyo Goannas to pit themselves against the Irish in the international game. This festive event is a great oppotunity for people from opposite sides of the globe to get to know one another and is always followed by a few social ales. While the Goannas haven't traditionally been that successful on the field but they have done well in the drinking and the singing. See the History here

The Sugadaira Cup ...Then the Narita Cup and now the Japan Cup

The Japan Cup is one day cup carnival featuring teams from all over Japan and sometimes from overseas, notably Box Hill North from Melbourne. A great day of AFL football, The Tokyo Goannas have been very successful over many years. For the History of the International Cup click here

Overseas Travel

Since the early days the Goannas have travelled to many cities thoughout Asia and even home to Australia. 1999, marked the first year ofthe Asian football Championships. An annual weekend footy, it has since featured teams from all parts of Asia and the middle-east including Singapore, Bali, Shanghai, Dubai to name just a few. The Goannas have participated several times including trips to Manila (finishing third), Jakarta and Bangkok. These trips are a great chance to meet other Aussie rules players and supporters from all over the Asian region and to promote AFL footy.

Japan AFL Presentation Night

The JAFL's night of nights, members of all JAFL sides gather to look back over the season. Counting the umpires' votes for the best and fairest always adds excitement to a terrific night.

The Tokyo Goannas Annual General Meeting

An institution for the Goannas, the afternoon starts with the various awards for season including the voting for Goanna's best and fairest award the Kim Bebbington Medal. Additonally at the AGM the years committee is dissolved and we welcome a new committee voted in by the AGM attendees.