HISTORY OF SUPERULES IN NORTHERN TERRITORY
Superules was formulated in Victoria country in 1980. It was conceived from an idea by John Hammer for players over the age of thirty-five being able to continue the sport they love, but without the heavy commitment required during their earlier days in sport.
The aims of Superules are :-
. To provide the opportunity for participants of thirty-five years and over to continue playing Australian Football.
. To provide social interaction between participants and their families, on and off the field.
To provide the means of maintaining a higher level of fitness.
. To provide coaching and administrative expertise for the benefit of all participants.
From a very humble beginning in 1980 there now exist over 150 teams throughout Australia. The inaugural National Championships were staged in Melbourne in 1983 with 7 teams participating in one division. Returning to Melbourne in 2002 were 32 teams competing in two divisions in the over 35, over 40 and over 45 years age groups as well as one division for the over 50's.
Superules in the Territory first saw the light of day in 1981 through the efforts of Bob Slade and Ray Buckley. Having managed a stable domestic competition over the years as well as annual games against the Tiwi Island veterans since 1992, the Northern Territory representative activities have been highlighted by some outstanding performances. The NT has been crowned as National Championship winners a number of times and have also provided Best and Fairest Carnival players over the years.
1984 Bruce Simmons
1994 Michael Graham (AFL Indigenous Team of Century member)
1996 Bill McBride
2002 Jack Gleeson
2008 Gerald Atkins
2011 Stewart Carr
2012 Wayne Worden, Ian Grazioli
2013 Wayne Worden
2016 Ian Grazioli
2017 Stewart Carr, Jack Gleeson
The Territory has also provided a number of dropkick champions, with Ray Buckley still holding the record of 67.2 metres off the boot in 1984.Other winners have been, Michael Graham, Ross McGorman, Kim Cowan, Roy Baehnisch and Robert Neve.
In May 2001 NT Superules became the first Australian Superules team to successfully (bronze medal) compete in an International Football Championships, the NT Government sponsored Arafura Games. Following this event, 4 players were selected in the World Team, Roy Baehnisch, Craig Porter, Paul Allen, and Paul Kirby. Roy Baehnisch was also awarded joint winner of the Darryl Window, Best and Fairest award for the Championships, with Alfred Spanner of Naura,
In the Administration area Bryan Moroney (NT President 1984-93) served as National President from 1985 to 1987 and as Vice President in 1990 and 91. He was awarded a National Life Membership in 1991 and inducted in to the National Superules Hall of Fame in 1999. Herman Rooding, NT Treasurer 1981-93, NT President and National Delegate 1994-2002, NT Vice President 2003, was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 1997 and awarded National Life Membership in 1999. Leon Fennell who has been NT Registrar from 1991-1993 and Treasurer from 1994 to current, was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 2005. After many years of service as a player and Committee member, Ross McGorman was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. 2011 saw our current President (since 2003) Kim Cowan also join the ranks of the AFL Masters Hall of Fame. 2013 saw the popular Barney Noonan inducted into the AFL Masters Hall of Fame. What an acceptance speech, standing ovation, but forgot to mention the "bride".
Bryan, Herman and Goal Umpire Perce Ellis were recipients of the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. Perce was also honoured with the Order of Australia medal in 2001.
The Northern Territory has hosted successful National Carnivals in1984, 1991, 1999, 2008 and 2013. The 1991 National Carnival in Darwin saw the first use of the NT Government's/NTFL multi million dollar stadium at the Marrara sporting complex, and we continue to enjoy the use of this facility throught the genoristy of the AFLNT This facility currently plays host to a number of AFL games during the year.
The 2008 National Carnival was the largest Carnival held to that date, with over 40 Teams with age groups from 35 to over 55, competing accross 2 Divisions. The Northern Territory was successful in taking out the Carnival Championship in the Over 35's Division 2 and the Over 45's Division 2.
Superules has seen a number of changes over the years, due to a very active National Board, with a number of name changes to reflect our roots. The names have changed from Superules, to Masters Australian Football, and now with the support of the Australian Football League (AFL), we are now known as AFL Masters to correctly state our purpose.
We now enjoy International exposure with the Annual AFL Masters Bali 9's held over the June long weekend each year in Bali. There is also an Annual AFL Masters tour of Asia each year with games against many of the Countries of South East Asia.
The Northern Territory continues to "punch above its weight division" when it comes to National Carnivals and enjoys the hospitality of the member states and territories
Our Motto: We do not retire because we get old, we get old because we retire.