Australian rules football in Samoa has been played since 1997. The governing body for the sport was formed under the name Samoa Australian Rules Football Association in 1998, becoming the AFL Samoa in 2007. The national team, which first competed at the Arafura Games was originally known as the Bulldogs, the name being chosen as the AFL's Western Bulldogs wore the Samoan national colours and has sent some professional players to visit the islands on clinics. The team was later renamed the 'Kangaroos', after forging ties with the North Melbourne Football Club.