The Shanghai Tigers Australian rules football team has undergone some changes to increase competitiveness and expand the club’s profile. The club is now known as Shanghai AFL and incorporates three teams in and around the Shanghai area.

The teams will come together to form the Shanghai Tigers when competing against other teams in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Under the new structure, the Shanghai domestic league has been split into three teams – the Shanghai Eagles (Shanghai French Concession), the West Shanghai Dockers (encompassing players from Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing and other regions outside Shanghai) and the North Shanghai Crows (northern Shanghai and Pudong).

The aim of the restructure is to better identify talent for the Shanghai Tigers, China Reds and China Red Demons in upcoming matches and tours, encourage more community involvement of all Australian football fans in Shanghai and the surrounding area, increase the number of local competitions and encourage more new and regular players.

The spring season will run from March to early June with a second 2010 season beginning in July. The league hopes to form a fourth team from July.

The league is currently also seeking sponsorship for the Asian Champs which will be held in Shanghai in September in conjunction with World Expo and a demonstration AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions. More than 10 teams from across Asia will compete at the annual Asian championship event – the biggest Australian rules football tournament outside of Australia.

For more information contact David Lucas, Coach, Shanghai Tigers at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it