Anticipation among the Ottawa sports community is palpable as the Ottawa Swans prepare for the launch of the inaugural Indoor Metro League. Fittingly, the first day of the league is 26 January – Australia Day. A wide range of experienced footballers, recent Swans recruits and new faces have been drafted by four even teams who will face off in competition for the trophy over the next two months.
Benjamin Birt, Coordinator of the league, explained the rationale behind it.
“The Metro League was organised as a fun introduction to the sport. With reduced contact it will allow players to be introduced in a friendly environment, allowing them to learn the basics and get game experience. Experienced players will also be able to practice their skills under game pressure. The comp doubles as pre-season training for those planning to play for the Swans in 2011, as well as a recruiting method for those wanting to try it out.”
Each of the teams has been put together by a captain with a view to having an even spread of experience and enthusiasm while being competitive. The captains all had strong words of encouragement in the lead-up to the season.
Jay Goldhawk: Greens
The early season indications look promising for the Greens, as we enter into the inaugural Ottawa Metro League. The team looks to hit the pitch running as we have taken to the track in the early offseason to ensure cardiovascular superiority and a team strategy of total domination. Led by Ottawa Swans’ 2010 Best and Fairest, Darren Roffey and stalwart, Chris “Google” MacLean, the Greens will have no trouble amassing a strong leadership presence on and off the field. A strong Australian contingent of David “Wheels” Martin, Jarrod Archer and Julian Smit, complemented by a wealth of Canadian talent should provide for a formidable attack on offense and an unrelenting defense. Like a racehorse at the gate, we are ready to run wild over the competition.
Smitty Magierowicz: Bloods
I am thrilled to be taking the helm of a soon-to-be-storied team, the Ottawa Bloods, in the Metro League. Our name was born of the original name of the South Melbourne/Sydney Swans before entering into the AFL. And this comp is ours to lose. Drafting experience, speed, guile and a sprinkling of dodgyness will see this group leading the competition early. I'm not worried about not having any past best and fairest winners. Walsh? Roffey? Who are they? I expect we'll see the ball moving about the ground with some good pace - which is why I drafted the smallest and dodgiest players in Anglin and Yas. Ryan will provide some grit and experience to knock the ball out in the back-line, and some sound gamesmanship will come from Birty - the real brains of this team. Myself, well, my numbers speak for themselves. But I don't plan on setting any records, this is a development league. We're looking to build on the skills of everyone out there, not run up my ego! I offer best wishes to the other captains, and remind them that it's not about winning - they should concentrate on having fun.
Jake Plunkett-Latimer: Home Team Advantage
I am really looking forward to the season. I am anticipating the opportunity to work on fitness as well as the social aspect of getting back with my teammates. I am also really looking forward to seeing how the metro league affects the Swans moving forward. We should see a lot of fresh faces coming out join us over the winter and the metro league will provide a great opportunity to introduce players to the game. For returning players, the metro league will really help us build enthusiasm which will carry through the rest of the season. On my team, Home Team Advantage, we have a really good mix of great leaders in Luke Walsh and Chris Lockhart to set the standard, as well as some keen new recruits. We’ll be hard to beat.
Chris Peck and Derek Lowry: Mukluks
Aussie Rules seems to be growing quickly in Ontario. We always welcome new players to the game and the Metro League is an excellent initiative to get more people involved with the sport. It will be a great way to introduce new players to the game and help returning players hone their skills. Our team is stacked with talent and ready to fire.
Article courtesy www.ottawaswans.com
Last Modified on 28/01/2011 09:15