As Australian Football fans reflect on another hard fought contest between traditional ANZAC Day rivals Essendon and Collingwood, a dedicated group of Australian Rules fans in Europe will be lining up in the inaugural Anzac Cup.

The Anzac Cup is a historic Australian Football match between France and Australia to be held in Villers-Bretonneux in the Somme region of France as part of official Anzac Day activities.

The game will see a French side, made up of French nationals and Australian expatriates who live in France, play against an Australian team made up of Australian Defence Force Personnel and Australians who have played an active role in promoting football throughout Europe.

Coordinated by Aussie Rules Europe (ARE) and the Commission Nationale de Football Australien (CNFA), the aim of this event is not only to honour the fallen, but also foster the unique relationship between Australia and the French community in this region.

Villers-Bretonneux

Villers-Bretonneux is the site of the Australian National Memorial on the Western Front in France.

Australian soldiers were involved in decisive military actions on the Western Front that ultimately lead to the end of the ‘war to end all wars’.

• 295,000 served on the Western Front during the First War.
• More than 45,000 Australians lost there lives on the Western Front.

Direct evidence can be found that Australian Football was an active pursuit for Australian service personnel on the Western Front with both formal and informal competitions held between Australian divisions when they came off the line.

Aussie Rules Europe & the Commission Nationale de Football Australien ask those travelling in the region for official Anzac Day celebrations to join them for a celebration of Australian and French culture and to pay respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

For those remaining in Australia keep track of the Anzac Cup at www.anzaccup.com

Event Details

Venue: Principal Soccer Stadium
Route d’Amiens (D1029)
Villers-Bretonneux
France 80800
Date: Sunday 26th April, 2009
Time: Activities commence at 10:00 am