Looking to join a woman's team like no other?
In 2009, the Central Blues Australian Football Club added a woman’s team to the rapidly growing club. Erica Streich, Rochelle Allan, Holly Martin and Sherelle Kelly helped form the core group of players. Throughout the summer the team practiced at the University of Toronto back campus fields every Wednesday rain or shine. The goal was to be able to send the first woman’s team from Ontario to the US Nationals in October. Each week the team saw new recruits come out and give the sport a try slowly growing the teams numbers.
In mid August the girls joined the guy’s teams on a road trip to Ottawa. It was the first time that there would be a woman’s game played in Ontario. The women from Toronto with a recruit from the Ottawa Swans competed against the Montreal Angels. The Blues were handed our first loss as a team, however it only served to highlight the areas the team needed to improve and focus training on.
The women started to join the men’s team for training on Monday nights down at Cherry Beach and Thursday nights at the U of T for more intensive training sessions. The hard work put in by the women in September showed on the field. The Wednesday training sessions eventually saw 16 women at training making for some great opportunities to scrimmage. The team was coming together in time for US Nationals.
The Blues achieved their goal of sending a team to the US Nationals in Mason, Ohio on the Thanksgiving Weekend. However to personal commitments, injuries suffered playing road hockey and scheduling conflicts the Blues were only able to send 6 players to the Nationals. The Blues teamed up with 3 Montreal Angels and 6 women from the Sacramento team.
Despite having players from across North America the team quickly came together on the field. The first assignment was the reigning US National Champions the Calgary Kookaburras. The Blues got off to a quick start scoring first with a behind, quickly followed by another behind due to strong pressure from our forwards. Then the experience of the Calgary squad took over and ran out winners by 43 points. A tough loss however a great learning experience for many of the girls playing in their first game.
As the weekend went on the Blues got better, losing by a couple of goals to Arizona in a game that might have been won but for some missed adjustments from the coaching staff. In their final game on Sunday the Blues left everything on the field to eek out a win over New York. It was a gritty hard fought game that saw the Blues lock the ball in the New York defensive zone and continually apply pressure to their backs. The team earned a well-deserved first victory. Much celebrating was done that evening bring to close a very successful second road trip.
The Blues woman’s team has become an integral part of the Central Blues Australian Football Club. In 2010 the woman’s team will continue to grow from its’ strong beginning. Games against New York, Milwaukee and Montreal have been arranged. Participation in the second annual Canadian Championships and the US Nationals in Louisville, KY are being planned. And don’t forget the great social events that the Central Blues throw throughout the year.
If you are looking for more than just a sports team to join then we encourage you to contact us or just show up at a practice and give the Blues and Australian Football a try.
More than just a team!
The Central Blues Australian Football Club is not just about having competitive teams on the field. The Blues are proud to be one of the most social sports clubs in the city. We provide social events to our members year round including Prom nights Poker tournaments, BBQs, house parties with live bands, a chrismas party and great team trips. We even remember that not all of us are single anymore and we promote a family friendly environment at many of the event. Come check us out.