The Australian Historical Swordplay Federation was created in 2003 to represent the interests of groups researching and studying historical forms of European Swordplay and related martial arts, and to assist in the development and growth of the community.Steps toward this aim include the Australian Historical Swordplay Convention where the Federation comes together once a year, and the creation of the Australian Historical Swordplay Forums. The Federation has also been active in lobbying government against knee-jerk anti-sword legislation, which would make historical swordplay and many other constructive activities illegal (for example Highland Dancing, re-enactment, the sport of fencing and performances of the plays of Shakespeare).