AFI EUROPE COMMISSION
Brian Currane, Ireland
Brian Currane is the Chairman of AFI Europe and has been involved in Aussie Rules Football for over 25 years.
Originally from Clare and based in Cork, the game has taken him around the world, from playing with Ireland in the Atlantic Alliance Cup in 2001 and the AFL International Cup 2002 in Melbourne. He was the Head Coach of Ireland at the 2017 International Cup. He has been involved in numerous tournaments throughout Europe at Club, University and International level.
Brian has a wealth of footy experience across his time as a player, and many years of coaching, including substantial work in talent ID and Development, as well as various administrative roles across all levels.
From the day he fell in love with Aussie Rules Football, Brian has helped to promote the game internationally and was delighted to attend the 2024 AFI World 9s in Melbourne. He is excited about the future of Footy 9s and is looking forward to its development and expansion throughout Europe, in both the Men’s and Women’s game, including the new fun and exciting format of Touch Footy 9s.
Pere Moliner Salinas, Catalonia
Born in Barcelona, Pere’s sporting background includes soccer, futsal and basketball.
He founded the first American football club in Spain and was also involved in motorsports (F-Renault, F-2000 and resistance), winning the 24 hours of Montmeló in 1999.
Pere was also the founder of the Catalan Australian Football League, participating in the EU Cup in London 2005, Hamburg in 2007 and Prague in 2008.
Pere is excited about growing Footy 9s in both Catalonia and Europe.
Brian Clarke, Netherlands
Brian was born in Amsterdam to Dutch and New Zealand parents. His family lived in the Netherlands and New Zealand before moving to Australia.
A law graduate, his business background includes law and the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT). Brian was also based in London for 5 years.
Brian has been involved in international football for 25 years, as a player, coach, umpire and administrator. He has been responsible for the creation of such concepts as the AFL International Cup, Harmony Cup, EU Cup and Footy 9s. Brian is the current CEO of Australian Football International.
Martin Ruppe, Austria
Martin Ruppe was born in Austria and works as a Facility Management Consultant based in Vienna, specializing in digitalization projects and workplace strategy.
Martin was on a student exchange in Melbourne, when he was introduced to Australian Rules Football.
He has been involved in Australian Football for over 20 years, playing for the Vienna Kangaroos as well as co-founding the Vienna Galahs. His passion for the sport continues to drive his involvement in various football initiatives across Europe.
Peta Lowry, Italy
Peta Lowry is an Aussie who has been living in Italy for the past 15 years with her husband and two sons. She’s passionate about languages, and she’s also passionate about all things Australian in Italy.
In 2009 Peta established the Australian Cultural Centre – Italy and was approached by a group of Italians who wanted to bring Aussie Rules to Italy. She worked tirelessly with them to setup a competition with 4 Italian teams and managed to get sponsorship from Australia to support the game in Italy.
In 2010 she supported the efforts of the Italian competition to host the Euro Cup in Milan and organised the inaugural Female Footy match – Italy v Ireland.
Peta has established her own business in Italy – English in Italia – and has developed an exciting “English in Sports” program based on teaching English through sport. She has held numerous successful summer and in-school programs over the years and is looking forward to evolving this program to “English and Footy 9s”.
Jon Zophoniasson, Bulgaria
Jón Zophoníasson was born and raised in Iceland and has been living in Varna, Bulgaria for the last 9 years. He is a co-owner of Tetrapod Brewery.
Jón was introduced to Australian Rules Football in Iceland in 2008 and fell in love with the sport, coaching the Kópavogur Dragons.
He moved to Bulgaria in 2015 and has been actively involved in promoting the sport since then, including founding the Varna Demons in 2017.
Jón is an accredited Umpire and Coach and is excited about the potential of both Footy 9s and Touch Footy 9s in Europe.
Claudio Bella, Luxembourg
Claudio Bella, born and raised in Luxembourg, works as an EHS officer for the University of Luxembourg. He has been immersed in Aussie Rules Football since childhood, thanks to his Australian family, whom he regularly visits in Melbourne.
Like most Luxembourgers, he played and followed soccer throughout his school years, and was also involved in competitive athletics for almost 15 years. However, Aussie Rules Football was always at the back of his mind. In his thirties, he decided to give it a try. Since then, he has been organizing training sessions and helping Luxembourg residents discover the sport. He is excited about the new format of Footy 9s, and recognizes its potential in Europe and beyond.
