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The Chippenham Redbacks Aussie Rules team who make their home debut tomorrow

AUSTRALIAN rules football is coming to Chippenham for the first time this weekend.

Chippenham Redbacks take on Southampton Titans at the town's rugby club tomorrow, in their first home game in the ARUK Walkabout Southern League (kick-off 2pm).

The Redbacks are coached by Wiltshire College lecturer Rob Fielder, who is looking to bring new players and fans to this fast-paced and demanding sport.

Aussie rules is played on an oval pitch in which two teams of 18 attempt to score goals by kicking a rugby-shaped ball through the central section of four posts.

Points can also be scored if the ball passes through either of the outer sections, termed a behind.

General play has similarities to rugby and Gaelic football, with a high level of speed and stamina required from players.

Fielder, 36, who is also player-coach of the England national side, is in no doubt as to the attraction of his sport.

Fielder said: "The main appeal is it's a free-flowing game. I've played a lot of rugby and football and it's a bit stop-start.

"With Aussie rules there's no knock-ons, there's no offside and you can pass in any direction, so it's less restrictive.

"It's just very good fun, we've found all the new lads who have never played have really enjoyed it.

"We had a really good training session on Tuesday and we had about 16 people there. It's the biggest number we've had so far so it's looking good."

Fielder, who is also captain of Chippenham 3rds rugby team, is looking to dispel notions of Aussie rules as an overly physical affair.

Fielder said: "Some of the older people think of what happened in the 80s when Aussie rules was a thuggish sport and general fights were allowed to go on.

"But Aussie rules has changed and cleaned up over the last 20 years. With the advent of TV and a family atmosphere it's unrecognisable."

The Redbacks are searching for their first win in the Southern League tomorrow.

The team may have lost their opening two games, but according to Fielder his team certainly aren't there just to make up the numbers.

Fielder said: "The guys want to win. People are disappointed when they make mistakes but it's a very positive environment. If people give their best we can ask no more and we aren't going to shout and bawl at them."

Fielder has more than enough pedigree to lead the Redbacks, as he is due to lead England at the European Cup in Prague in October.

11:14am Friday 16th May 2008

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