Calgary Wins Inaugural Canadian National Championships

The Calgary Kookaburras have recorded a strong start to the northern hemisphere summer footy season by winning the inaugural Canadian National Championships, held at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver on June 20. Fourty-seven women from Calgary and the Edmonton Emus travelled from Alberta to contest the Nationals, which were played in a round-robin format against the Vancouver-based WestCoast Wildcats. It is believed to be the first matches of 18-a-side women's club football played in North America.

In damp conditions, Canada's newest women's clubs took to the field for the morning's first match. Edmonton's team were boosted by a contingent of Calgary reserves players and they took a while to settle into their playing positions across the oval. A majority of WestCoast's players had played several seasons in the North Delta Junior AFL and exhibited better structure early. Marlena Ginocchio and Jenna Jakes were dominant in the forward line for the Wildcats, while Kate Ross dominated in the ruck for an Emus side struggling to keep up with their fitter opponents. The Emus settled in during the second half, conceding fewer free kicks and registering a goal courtesy of Rachel Mrdeza. Amy Wynne dominated in the midfield for WestCoast, and drifted forward to kick two goals that sealed a 50-point win.

With the wet weather clearing, Edmonton next took on Calgary in front of several-hundred spectators. The reigning US Champions got out to an early lead by creating space around the packs to allow effective clearances and to shutting down the Emus' attack with heavy tackling. Marie Galick laid some brutal tackles for the Emus and Carissa Glasier and Kyla Fisher battled in defence, but the midfield foursome of Kathryn Zakus, Lesley Zmurchuk, Caity Kidd and Amanda O'Rae gave no quarter as the Kookaburras piled on the goals. Char Olm and Erin MacDonald kicked six goals between them as Calgary went on to post an 89-point victory.

The final match of the day was a cracking contest between Calgary and WestCoast. The Wildcats started strongly, posting two behinds before the Kookaburras seemed to know the game was underway. Booming clearances and a handful of free kicks kept the ball in WestCoast's forward line, before Holly Greatwich goaled to put Calgary in front. Marlena Ginocchio answered for WestCoast minutes later, but Alicia Scanlon regained the lead for Calgary with a beautifully crumbed goal going into half-time. Calgary exploited their deeper bench by running the ball down the wings in the second-half, relying on their strong half-back line to beat their younger opponents. Lori Bossert goaled to put Calgary further in front, before Amy Wynne showed her class with a beauty on the run. There was to be no fairytale ending for the Wildcats however, with Calgary running out the game 15-point winners.

Calgary coach Jake Anson and captain Kathryn Zakus accepted the cup from AFL Canada President Darrel Perry. Amy Wynne (WestCoast) was named player-of-the-tournament after showing everybody why she has twice been picked to represent Victoria at the Australian Championships. Seven Kookaburras and six Wildcats were selected in the initial intake for the Team Canada Northern Lights squad, which will play the USA Freedom in two matches in 2010. Next year Toronto is expected to compete in the championships, as women's footy goes from strength-to-strength across Canada.

Match Results:

Saturday, June 20th 2009

WestCoast Wildcats 8.9.57 def. Edmonton/Calgary Reserves Emus 1.1.7
Goals WestCoast: Wynne 2, Brooks, Dibb, Ginocchio, Hackwell, Jakes, L. Moore.
Goals Edmonton/Calgary Reserves: Mrdeza.
Best WestCoast: Wynne, Ginocchio, Nanka, Brooks, Randhawa.
Best Edmonton/Calgary Reserves: Mrdeza, Ross, Galick, Glasier, Snaith.

Calgary Kookaburras 13.11.89 def. Edmonton/Calgary Reserves Emus 0.0.0
Goals Calgary: MacDonald 3, Olm 3, Zmurchuk 3, Jones 2, Greatwich, Scanlon.
Goals Edmonton/Calgary Reserves: None.
Best Calgary: Zmurchuk, Kidd, Zakus, Olm, MacDonald.
Best Edmonton/Calgary Reserves: Ross, Mrdeza, Galick, Fisher, Ouellette.

Calgary Kookaburras 4.5.29 def. WestCoast Wildcats 2.2.14
Goals Calgary: Greatwich 2, Bossert, Scanlon.
Goals WestCoast: Ginocchio, Wynne.
Best Calgary: Greatwich, Zmurchuk, McLean, Smith, Kidd.
Best WestCoast: Wynne, Ginocchio, Nanka, Jakes, Mantei.

Canadian Nationals 2009

Our club is flying west to compete in the inaugural Canadian National Championships at the picturesque University of British Columbia rugby fields in Vancouver on June 20. It is two years since the Kookaburras formed as a training group to provide a few girls for two Canada vs USA exhibition matches at the same venue and were comprehensively flogged. My, how times change. We return to Vancouver in 2009 as the reigning US National Champions and one of the largest women's football clubs worldwide. Our start-up club in Edmonton will join us to field 47 players in a travelling contingent of 51 players and coaches, in what will be the first 18-a-side club matches of women's Aussie Rules played in North America. Our squads are posted below:

Calgary Elite Kookaburras
Coach: Jake Anson - Calgary
Assistant: Alex Evans - Calgary

Kathryn Zakus (Captain) - Kensington Kingfishers
Holly Greatwich (Vice Captain) - Hillhurst Nighthawks
Lori Bossert - Hillhurst
Elise Botero - Hillhurst
Anna Davison - Kensington
Sarah Eddie - Hillhurst
Leslie Gurba - Kensington
Vicki Hewitt - Kensington
Melanie Howard - Kensington
Roxanne Kelly - Kensington
Caitlin Kidd - Hillhurst
Rebecca Jones - Kensington
Ciara Lanigan - Hillhurst
Diana Leon - Kensington
Erin MacDonald - Kensington
Shelby McLean - Hillhurst
Amanda O'Rae - Hillhurst
Charlene Olm - Kensington
Alicia Scanlon - Hillhurst
Lyndsay Smith - Hillhurst
Reagen Stoddart - Kensington
Jane Wardle - Hillhurst
Samantha Woodward - Kensington
Lesley Zmurchuk - Hillhurst

Edmonton/Calgary Reserves Emus
Coach: Tristan Waldock (Edmonton)
Assistant: Matt Kidd (Calgary)

Kyla Fisher (Captain) - Edmonton Emus
Carissa Glasier (Vice Captain) - Hillhurst
Tara Bailey - Edmonton
Emma Brunton - Edmonton
Kylie Clancy - Kensington
Katie Dowhaluk - Hillhurst
Caroline Fairman - Hillhurst
Amber Fraser - Kensington
Marie Galick - Edmonton
Grace Kuo - Edmonton
Kathleen Macridis - Edmonton
Rachel Mrdeza - Hillhurst
Phillipa Ngaju - Edmonton
Lucy Nolan - Edmonton
Lesley Norton - Kensington
Stacey Ouellette - Hillhurst
Darlene Pereira - Kensington
Kate Ross - Kensington
Katherine Semenuik - Edmonton
Chantal Spindler - Edmonton
Tamara Snaith - Kensington
Kim Stewart - Hillhurst
Paige Wynne - Edmonton

Kensington Strike Back

Kensington shot to the top of the Alberta Footy Women's League ladder on Sunday, June 7, after posting two impressive wins over reigning premiers Hillhurst at Queen Elizabeth School in Calgary. Round Three saw the Kingfishers regain Erin "Sav" LeBlanc - Best & Fairest in the US Nationals final of 2008 - and field their strongest lineup to date. The tale in the Nighthawks dressing room was very different however, with captain Holly "Witchy" Greatwich injured and half back Lesley "Zed" Zmurchuk on vacation in Australia for the week.

In a change of schedule, Calgary also fielded a developmental 'reserves' team - the Calgary Kookaburra Chicks - to play Edmonton in two games as preparation for Canadian Nationals in Vancouver on June 20. The Chicks was composed of new members with zero game experience and between one and four training sessions under their belts.

Kensington 14.4 (88) def. Hillhurst 0.2 (2) and Kensington 5.12 (42) def. Hillhurst 2.0 (12)

The standard of Alberta footy keeps lifting. A year ago, given a mismatch in players available, a win of 30 points would have been a landslide. In 2009, a mismatch can be very costly, and Kensington exploited their midfield depth and height to smash Hillhurst in these matches. The Nighthawks' ruck Amanda "Plugger" O'Rae was forced off early in game one after a head clash, allowing Kensington to control the corridor and provide plenty of ball to their forwards. Char "Broiler" Olm kicked 5 in her second round of footy, with Kathryn "Gangles" Zakus, Leslie Gurba and Roxy Kelly booting a few and Anna "Davo" Davison, Sav, Vicki "Lleyton" Hewitt and Diana "Princess" Leon kicking their first for the season. Lori "Boss" Bossert and Lyndsay "Scooter" Smith struggled valiantly to stem the navy-and-gold tide, but the Kingfishers ran out easy winners.

Calgary Chicks 5.5 (35) def. Edmonton 0.2 (2) and Calgary Chicks 1.3 (9) def. Edmonton 1.1 (7)

In stunning debut performances, Calgary's newest recruits without a game of experience behind them put on a strong display to defeat Edmonton in the day's development matches. Rachel "Paws" Mrdeza combined well with Calgary ruck Liz "Scotchy" Donkevoort in the middle, creating many scoring opportunities for the Chicks and kicking four goals for the afternoon. Sarah Tooke and Lucy Nolan were strong through the middle for the Emus, who were missing captain Kyla Fisher and midfielder Marie Galick. Amber "Frase" Fraser and Shaunessey "Diesel" Harper kicked goals on debut for Calgary and delivered an emphatic win to the Chicks in the first match. Match two came to a disappointing end, when Scotchy had to be ambulanced from the field following an ankle injury. We wish her well with her recovery and will see her back out soon.

The games were celebrated afterward with an potlatch at the home of three of the Kookaburras. Full scores, goal-kickers and participants are listed on the 2009 AFWL page.

Left: Calgary's newest recruits prior to posting a 33-point victory over Edmonton Emus.

Footy Returns to Edmonton in a Big Way

Australian football has returned to Edmonton in a big way, with Round Two of the Alberta Footy Women's League going down as a smashing success on Saturday, May 23rd. Edmonton turned on a perfect, sunny 22-degree day, when the three clubs assembled at Queen Alexandra School in Strathcona to do battle. The overall standard of footy was high, with the Calgary clubs putting on performances akin to the best women's footy at US Nationals. Edmonton impressed everyone with their improvement over the previous fortnight and they showed that with more game experience and better fitness that they will improve considerably this summer.

Edmonton 0.1 (1) lost to Hillhurst 12.13 (85)

It's never easy being the new team on the block. The Emus hosted Hillhurst in their first ever home match and acquitted themselves well against the reigning AFWL Premiers. The Nighthawks went in missing Lesley "Zed" Zmurchuk and Caity Kidd from Round One, but picked up new players Danielle "Bucks" Smith and Stacey "Spacey" Ouellette on debut. Sarah "Steady" Eddie showed potential as a future Kookaburras spearhead, kicking 7 goals at full-forward before being rotated to full-back. Jane "Tarz" Wardle impressed at half-forward while Lori "Lolly" Benoit and Alicia "Gumby" Scanlon dominated through the midfield. Edmonton saw plenty of the ball however, with Marie Galick and Natalie Heazlewood impressing and Kyla Fisher stoic in defence. Once the Emus learn to kick on-the-run, goals will follow.

Hillhurst 2.8 (20) lost to Kensington 5.14 (44)

The standard of Calgary women's football continues to improve and this match between cross-town rivals was as good as you will see anywhere in North America. The Nighthawks, having rested some stars in their first game, came out strongly against a fresh Kensington squad boasting three players on debut - Lesley "Mum" Norton, Mel "Hulga" Howard and Char Olm. The Kingfishers had more avenues of attack early as Kathryn "Gangles" Zakus won several midfield clearances and good defensive pressure by Roxy Kelly and Beck Jones kept the footy forward. The 'Fishers failed to capitalize, however, and solid defence from Lyndsay "Scooter" Smith and Shelby "Buddy" McLean kept the 'Hawks in it at half time. Kensington fired in the second half, with goals to Roxy, Gangles and Char putting the game out of reach of a tired Hillhurst team. Lori "Boss" Bossert and Amanda "Plugger" O'Rae were among the best for the 'Hawks.

Kensington 14.12 (96) def. Edmonton 0.1 (1)

The final game of the day was watched by a healthy crowd enjoying their first summer beers in the sun Two future stars impress the Alberta selectors. Char Olm, on debut for Kensington, kicked 8 goals from full-forward and half-back to stake her claim for a Calgary Kookaburras call-up. Marie Galick was sensational at half-forward for the Emus, and will be one to watch as Edmonton improves. Beck slotted three goals for the 'Fishers, with Sam "Newman" Woodward, Erin "Ez" MacDonald and Gangles adding singles to the total. Edmonton captain Kyla was again impressive in the backline under pressure, and was ably assisted by debutante Alena Manera and ruckwoman Lucy Nolan.

The games were celebrated long into the night with an Emus Jersey Presentation at their major sponsor - the Walkabout Pub - where the Kookaburras took out the inaugural Battle of Alberta Boat Race!

Full scores, goal-kickers and participants are listed on the 2009 AFWL page.

Alberta Footy Women's League Off To A Flying Start For '09

Reining Alberta Footy Women's League Premiers, the Hillhurst Nighthawks, made a strong start to their premiership defence on Saturday with two wins to open the 2009 season. Played in front of a healthy crowd at Parkdale Elementary School in Calgary, the day's matches showed that women's footy in Alberta hasn't lost anything over the long winter,and that the standard is set to improve further this summer.

Kensington 10.15 (75) def. Edmonton 1.0 (6)
Kensington set the stage for a big season earlier in the week, when captain Kathryn "Gangles" Zakus declared her side ready to win the league this year. Their opponents first-up were the Edmonton Emus, a side joining the AFWL this summer. Kensington took control of the game early, and tested the inexperienced Emus around the packs. Nadine "Nads" Hindle kicked the debutantes' first goal from the right forward flank, but the Emus went into the break 28-points down. The Kingfishers came out firing in the second half, with Beck "Jonesy" Jones kicking three majors and Gangles and Roxy Kelly adding two goals apiece in a 69-point win. Edmonton showed plenty of potential, with Katherine Semenuik and Kyla Fisher both prominent.

Edmonton 1.0 (6) lost to Hillhurst 14.16 (100)
Edmonton had to back-up after playing the first match, and were visibly tired going into this contest played in typically-Calgarian sunny/hailing conditions. However, they benefited from a couple of late arrivals, and Nicole Miller made an impact in the midfield, working alongside Lucy Nolan in the ruck. The Nighthawks took advantage of their fresh legs to post 18 scoring shots in the first half, though wayward kicking prevented a blowout from occuring. Lori "Boss" Bossert and Amanda "Plugger" O'Rae were prominent in the midfield for Hillhust, while new recruits Sarah Eddie and Shelby "Buddy" McLean combined to kick six goals in the 94-point win.

Hillhurst 4.9 (33) def. Kensington 4.7 (31)
The battle of Calgary's two teams reignited in the third game. Due to our policy of balancing the Calgary-based teams, new players were going to have a big impact on the outcome. The many engaging contests made for a terrific match, as Gangles and Boss battled across the midfield, Caity Kidd contained Jonesy in the forward line and Plugger rucked against the Kingfishers' 6'2" recruit, Kate "Spider" Ross. Kensington went into the break with a 9-point lead, courtesy of a couple of great goals to Leslie Gurba, but were unable to contain their opponents in the second half, who ran away with a 2-point win. New players Eddie and Buddy were prominent for the Nighthawks, while Tamara "Cobra" Snaith and Lori "Lolly" Benoit showed plenty of promise for the Kingfishers.

Full scores, goal-kickers and participants are listed on the 2009 AFWL page.