Best of DC!

According to the Washington City Paper, Footy is one of the best participatory sports in DC.

"Australian Rules Football

Ground Rules: Get the ball between the goal posts using pretty much any means necessary— running, tackling, kicking, and blocking the ball with any part of your body. A cross between soccer and football, Aussie rules, or “footy,” is a contact sport which requires no sort of protective padding—“just a mouthguard,” says Tony Goodman, president of the Baltimore Washington Eagles (baltimoredceagles.com). In fact, a recent club flier states, “Pads would just cover up the bruises.” Aussie Rules goes a long way in explaining Russell Crowe.

Where to Play: The Eagles welcome new players to training sessions and, for those who don’t fancy turning up to the office black and blue, there’s also a coed non-contact version called Ausball developed by one of the assistant coaches (annual dues for both are $60). For pint-sized beginners, there’s an offshoot club (DC Footy Kids, dcfootykids.blogspot.com), which is free, but don’t worry, Goodman says that “the kids’ version, of course, doesn’t include tackling!” "

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