AFL on Mont Blanc

Six Australians are setting out to climb Mont Blanc this week and hope to become the first people to kick an Aussie Rules footy on the roof top of Europe.

On Sunday (26 June) six London based Aussies will leave London and set out not just to conquer Europe’s tallest peak but also become the first people to kick an AFL footy on the top of Mont Blanc. The adventurous trekkers will spend four days training and acclimatising before embarking on the summit challenge on Friday 1 July at around 1am. At the peak, they will all have a kick to kick with the Aussie Rules football before making their way back down below the clouds.

Trek organiser Troy Aitken said the group are hoping to raise £3000 from the climb which will go towards his MAD4Africa charity, an organisation run by volunteers helping communities in Rwanda and other parts of Africa.

“We started with just an idea of making a difference in Africa and in the space of 3 years we have a centre running with over 80 students who are learning a skill thanks to MAD4Africa,” said Aitken.

One of the members of the group attempting the ascent, Mike Kasar, said the idea to kick a footy at the rooftop of Europe came to them while they were training for the adventure.

“We were doing a training trek of 20 miles down the coast of Brighton and we thought we needed to add something to the Mont Blanc challenge to generate some public interest. As we all met through the London Swans playing AFL in the UK, it made sense to do something that incorporated AFL. Plus we get some brownie points from the coach when we say we’re up there doing altitude training!”

Kasar said everyone in the group is very excited but there may be a few anxious moments too.

“Apart from the usual blisters and sleep deprivation, I am a little apprehensive about one of the guys Fitzy (Kieran Fitzgerald). He asked our guide it there would be much chance of stabbing someone in front of you when your climbing with your ice-axe…..don’t want to be in front of that bloke.”

Kasar said the same rules used in backyard footy will apply when they are up there kicking about on Mont Blanc.

“You kick it over the fence, you get it!”

If you would like to donate to the expedition, go to http://www.justgiving.com/montblanc2011challenge