Basel Dragons Australian Football Club was founded in 2018, bringing the excitement of Australian Rules Football to Basel. The journey began on September 9, 2018, when Jason Ransome and Jack Flynn held the first training session at a small field on Rothausstrasse in Muttenz, Basel-Land. Among the participants were AFL Switzerland founder Stefan Burgener, former AFL boundary umpire Patrick Tongue, Patrick Keller and his two young sons, as well as the club’s co-founders, Jason and Jack.
Right from the beginning, the club garnered strong local and international support. In its inaugural season (2019), the Basel Dragons proudly welcomed Ms. Vicki Tanner, president of the Australia-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, as its number one ticket holder, further strengthening ties between Australian football and Switzerland's business community.
Under the leadership of the club’s first president, Kelli Donnelly, and vice president, Neil Kelly, the Basel Dragons quickly established themselves in the AFL Switzerland league. Jason Ransome served as secretary, while Andrew Mitchel took on the role of treasurer. That year, under coach Hadleigh Fisher, with Jack Flynn as captain, the Dragons made an impressive run to the grand final but ultimately fell to the Geneva Jets.
Before the ZĂĽrich Giants entered the league in 2020, some of their future players, including Darren Waldron and Nick Nelson, played for the Dragons. However, challenges arose with the onset of COVID-19, injuries, and player relocations, leading to a temporary pause in league participation for the Basel Dragons in 2020. Despite this, the club remained active, continuing weekly training sessions every Wednesday evening at the Basel rugby ground near Basel SBB station. During this time, Andrew Dornbierer stepped in as coach, and Neil Kelly assumed the presidency. Basel players joined forces with the ZĂĽrich Giants AFC and Winterthur Lions AFC to keep the game alive.
Over the years, a strong relationship developed between the Basel Dragons and the ZĂĽrich Giants, with Basel-based players training locally but competing with the Giants. On several occasions, the Giants even donned Basel Dragons jumpers when playing in Basel. The Dragons have consistently contributed players to the reserves matches, particularly to the Northern Bears reserves team.
The club continues to attract high-profile supporters, and during the AFLW off-season, former Collingwood premiership player and AFLW Brisbane premiership coach Craig Starcevich resides in Basel, occasionally running training sessions for the team. His experience and expertise have been invaluable, and he remains a strong advocate for Basel Dragons and Australian Rules football in Switzerland as a whole.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the Basel Dragons are officially recognized as a reserves team and are working towards re-entering the league with a seniors side in 2026. Andrew Dornbierer remains the head coach, with Andrew Blake serving as assistant coach. Sebastian Schmitt leads the club as president, supported by vice president Karl Meany. John McBride takes on the role of club secretary, while Livio Tasselli manages the club’s social media presence, keeping fans and players engaged. Meanwhile, founding member Jason Ransome has taken on the role of CEO of AFL Switzerland but remains involved with the club, attending training sessions on a semi-regular basis.
2025 Training Sessions
When: Every Wednesday evening
Start Time: 18:15 or 18:30 (Depending on time of year and weather)
Where: Pruntrutermatte - Höhenweg 85, 4053 Basel (Summer)
Vogelsangschulhaus - Schwarzwaldallee 107, 4058 Basel (Winter)
Contact: baseldragonsafc@gmail.com
