The club
The Thailand Tigers origins date back to 1993, when four footy blokes would get together for a kick in Lumpini Park. From there the club was officially established in 1996, as the Tigers played host to the touring Hong Kong Dragons and played their first game of “competitive football” Asian style at Kasetsart University. From there the Tigers would become an active part of the Asian footy calendar and in 2000 were part of the 4 Nations Cup – Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia – an event that would later be known as the Asian Championships.
Since 2000, the Tigers have gone from strength to strength on & off the field. The club has been regular participants in the AFL Asian Championships, and hosted in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, and again in 2015. We also participate in the Indochina Cup and have taken the cup home on four occasions – 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2015. Importantly we played a key part in setting up the Indochina Bulldogs, a combined team of indigenous players from the region with guidance from their inaugural coach, the West Coast Eagle premiership player and 2006 Norm Smith Medalist, Andrew Embley.
Undoubtedly the key event on the Tigers’ calendar is the ANZAC Commemorative Match, held annually at Kanchanaburi Thailand. First held in 2004, the game is played in honour of all the men and women who have defended our nations as an ANZAC, and we are fortunate to have Diggers in attendance at our game, including men who were POWs in Thailand during WWII. Traveling with the Quiet Lions tour group, the Diggers’ participation is the highlight of the event.
2016 is the 20th year anniversary and and the club is still going stronger than ever. Recent on-field success has enhanced the hugely successful social scene that defines the club. 2016 also saw the club establish the Sabre Tooth Tigers – our own masters team, who debuted in Bali back in June this year.
Read below to see a timeline of some the significant events in Tigers History, followed by our Honour Board and Life Members.
Thailand Tigers 20 Year Anniversary (1996 – 2016)
Club Timeline
1993
Four footy enthusiasts are chased out of Lumpini after an end-to-end kick – Gerald Henderson, Paul Fitzpatrick, Paul McKay, Jeff Rowe
1996
Thailand plays it first game against Hong Kong at Kasetsart University;
Thailand Tigers 16.11. 107 def Hong Kong 11.10. 76
Initial club structure = President: Carl Delina; Coach: Will Hamilton; Committee members: Bob Bedford, Garry Burke, Greg Keane, Shane Kenealy
1997
Club Song created on first tour to Hong Kong; credit Youngy, Hendo, Tiffin
First game played at Thana City; the initial home ground
1998
Three-way tournament in Saigon: Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong; Mark Seymour played live at the ground.
1999
Hosted the inaugural 4 Nations Cup in Bangkok – Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia – an event that would later be known as the Asian Championships.
2003
Started training at the Tobacco Monopoly/Bus Stop
2004
First ANZAC Cup game played against Malaysia in Kanchanburi;
Thailand Tigers 13.6. 84 def Malaysian Warriors 5.4. 34.
Reformed official Thailand Tigers committee at AGM
2005
Quiet Lions attend ANZAC Cup with former POWs as the VIP attendees (and every year afterwards)
Launch of Reds v Blue Domestic Season format
2006
First official Thailand Tigers AFL Grand Final event held at Witch’s Tavern
2001, 2007, 2011, 2015
Hosted the Asian Champs in Bangkok
2011, 2012
Hosted the Asian Champs in Pattaya
2007, 2009, 2014, 2015
Winners of Indochina Cup; Inaugural ICC played in Hanoi in 2007.
2014
Indochina Bulldogs, a team of indigenous players from each of the Indochina clubs plays first ever game at the Indochina Cup, Pattaya Thailand. Andrew Embley is the coach.
2016
Sabre Tooth Tigers (Masters team) debut at Bali 9s tournament
20th year anniversary event
2018
Runner-up division 2 at Asian Champs, KL
Honour Board (since 2005)
Life Members
