The Richmond sponsored West Bengal Tigers had a strong performance at this year's Australian Rules Football Association of India (ARFAI) National Championships, with the women winning the competition and the men finishing as runners-ups.

The West Bengal Tigers won the inaugural women's nationals by defeating the Jharkhand Crows at the famous Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

In what was an incredibly tight game, the West Bengal Tigers were crowned women's champions, taking down Jharkhand, last year's East-Zone women’s champions, by one goal in a closely fought tight game.

After a strong string of games, the Tigers' men's team fell to the Crows in the Grand Final, 8.5 (53) to 2.4 (16).

With support from the Government of Jharkhand, Sports Authority of India and Sports Authority of Jharkhand, the tournament was hosted in the home state of the multi-time national champions for the very first time. 

With experienced past players, coaches and state sports officials constituting the local organising committee at the Jharkhand Footy Association (JFA) and great support from the Sports Authority of Jharkhand (SAJHA), the tournament ended up being one of the best national championships for the sport in India so far.

Growing on from the 10th nationals in Odisha last year, the 11th nationals saw the tournament being played in the best football stadium in the state of Jharkhand with a wonderful turf to play on, great facilities available for the players, and a giant LED screen showing the matches live inside the stadium, making the tournament a memorable experience for everyone.

The added significance for the event was the attendance of senior AFL executives, led by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, as the League continues to grow and develop in India.