In 2005 the Bali Geckos AFL Club held its first Masters AFL tournament on the Indonesian Island of Bali.

During its initial years, the tournament was contested between clubs from Bali, Singapore and Jakarta, with the Buccaneers being the first Australian club to compete.

The tournament has since expanded to well over 30 clubs from throughout Australia, East Timor, Indonesia (Jakarta, Bali, and Borneo), Singapore and Dubai, in which full contact AFL 9’s are contested.

The Buccaneers have never missed a Bali tournament, the dreaded covid putting a stop to the carnival in 2020 and 2021. Since then the Buccaneers have added an over 45’s, and in 2023, given the advancing years of some of the competing members, we added an over 55’s team.

The Buccaneers are as famous for their enjoyment of Bali as for their commitment to the football carnival. Buccaneers Presentation Nights and their world famous Mad Monday Tour de Bintang are worth the trip alone. Many of the players make this trip their annual family holiday, with the kids and partners being very welcome on the tour.

The Buccaneers continue to sponsor the Baithel Children’s Home in Bali, with the kids doubling up as our cheerleaders at the carnival.

2024 was a massive tour for the Buccaneers, featuring 60 players across the 3 grades, some new sponsors, and a number of new and returning players from all parts of Australia. The major highlight being our over 55’s winning the Grand Final over long-time rivals the Darwin Waratahs, the first time our club has taken out the competition.

In 2025 the Buccaneers took a record 4 teams to Bali to compete, with a second over 55’s team competing as the Mutineers.