"I have to admit when Sam first came home after a drunken night out and said he was going to play for the Reading Kangaroos I just said "that's nice dear", I didn't have a clue what it was and I still haven't got past the essentials i.e. they play Australian Rules Football aka "Aussie Rules" & "Footy" (pronounced fudy)."

So, my mission was to find out more about this game and become a more enlightened person (according to Sam). How best to do this? Well I asked the people who know best:
The Club Chairman, Joao Coelho (JC)
The Club President, Club and Great Britain Player, Adam Bennett (AB)
Club Player, Sam Hedges (SH)

They have kindly taken time to explain the game to me by answering some questions.

1. What is Aussie Rules Football?

JC: Sport invented around 1858 and used later to keep Aussie cricketers fit during the off-season. It is a mixture of rugby and Gaelic football.

2. Who are the Reading Kangaroos aka "The Roos"?

AB: The Reading Kangaroos were formed in 2001 by locally living Australians, looking to carry on with a sport they love. They gradually introduced more and more local lads to the game and now have a substantial following of local Brit players. The club is generously sponsored by IX Europe, who have agreed to give financial support to the club, and the local Walkabout Bar, which serves as a post-match social point as well as a venue for club off-field events.

3. When and where do you practice?

JC: Tuesday's and Thursday's 6:45pm onwards at Kings Meadow Park off Napier Road, Reading.

4. Is there a National club?

JC: Yes! The BARFL puts together the best English players to play against other countries that are also developing the sport. Every three years there is also a World Cup held in Australia. Australia doesn’t enter of course!

AB: The established international side is the British Bulldogs who, as well as playing several one-off fixtures against other countries like Ireland and Denmark, have competed in the last two International Cups, held in Melbourne, Australia in 2002 and 2005. Three Reading players were selected for the 2005 event (Louise adds: Adam is one of those players but he’s too modest to brag about it) and we're all looking forward to 2008 for the 150th anniversary of the game and the next International Cup down under.

5. Are there many clubs in the UK?

JC: There are currently 18 main clubs in the UK and a few of those clubs have two teams, mainly to accommodate for the larger number of Aussies they attract. The BARFL is broken into 3 leagues Premier (London based), Conference (London Based) catering for the second teams and Regional (Basically every team outside the M25)

6. How old do you have to be to play, are there any youth teams?

JC: 18 years and over for the senior teams and 11 years and older for the junior teams. Junior teams are broken up again into age groups.

AB: There is a huge anti-obesity drive from the Government at the moment and Aussie Rules is being pushed forward in more and more schools as a great way to stay fit and get involved in team sports, which are a great personal development opportunity.

7. Are there any women’s teams?

JC: In Australia and North America there are hundreds of women’s teams.

8. How did you get into Aussie Rules and how would someone new to the game get into it?

JC: In the UK it is just a matter of finding out where the closest teams are and turning up to train. If you are good enough you will play on the weekends but as the game is still in the development stages here everyone gets a run. It also helps as subs are like in hockey or basketball, if you are tired you come off and later you can go back in.

SH: In common with most UK players, I first experienced Aussie Rules on Trans-World Sport on Channel 4. I couldn't work out the rules or even which direction the teams were meant to be going. 20 years later and after a night on the beers I myself committed to trying out the sport with the Reading 'Roos. And from that very first training session I haven't looked back. The easiest way to get into the game is give it a go.

9. What position do you play and what does it mean you do in a match?

JC: Now I think that I am better on the side lines laughing… You might want to ask the other guys who are currently playing this question

AB: The positions are different to football in that there are no offsides, so wherever you are on the pitch, you always have a man to mark and vice versa. I play at full-back, the furthest back and most central of the defensive players. I found it the best position for me, as I've played centre back in football my whole life, and the philosophies of the position between the two sports are similar. Plus my shooting isn't great, so my team-mates like to keep me as far away from the opposition goal as possible!

SH: I play at Half back (defence), so I cover the whole defensive half of the pitch with the occasional foray into attack. The main objective for me is to 'spoil' the opposition player... basically not let him get the ball.

10. Who, in your opinion, is the most famous Aussie Rules player?

JC: A couple of players always come to mind when this question is asked and the list just increases because of how and what they bought to the sport. Ron Barrasi (Mr Football) himself is one, Gary Abblet, Dippa, Tony Lockett, John Worsfold are but a few.

11. What is the best thing about playing Aussie Rules?

SH: The best thing about Aussie Rules for me is the element of one-on-one combat combined with ultimately playing as part of a team. Every player has to think offensively and defensively. Games can be shaped by individual battles and when all the players on your team are playing at the top of their game it's magic. The other great aspect is the camaraderie. Everyone is mates off the pitch with great socials after matches. Oh, and it's played in the summer... what better excuse to put on a vest and some shorts and get a tan.

12. ....and the worst thing?

JC: Don’t know… hum trying to keep up with Jules (another player) in the drinking games after the game.

Thanks to the guys for taking the time to explain it.

You can also find out more about the sport by visiting the BBC Radio Berkshire site, after Ollie joined the Roos at pitchside for a victory over the Balham Hawks, early in the 2007 season.