By AMY BAINBRIDGE

One glance across the sports ground, and you could be mistaken for thinking you were watching any old football team training in Australia. The difference is, the ground is at Nankai University in central Tianjin, all the players are Chinese, and the result from this training session is more important than a regular, relaxed kick and laugh.

Australian selectors have chosen China's first-ever team to represent the country in Australian Rules Football (AFL). For those unfamiliar with AFL, it's played on an oval with a ball similarly shaped to a rugby ball. It's played 18 a side, and players score by kicking between posts at both ends of the field. It's fast, physical and addictive.

Aussie Rules first came to China with the help of a handful of passionate expats. Now, the little-known sport appears to be experiencing a modest boom. The expats are as passionate as ever, and the Chinese players are showing just as much enthusiasm.