Ausie Rules Footy lands in Delta

by S. Erickson

In all the years as I have covered sports for Delta, Rogers or Shaw Cable one sport has always intrigued me.

Watching a game on the "telly" just isn't the same as in person. The terms used are unique to sport, as are the sports commentators. Words or phrases not only catch your attention, they grasp your imagination. Vivid to each individual as to the happenings of the game you catch yourself being spell bound.

I for one can honestly say "having the luxury of broadcasting this sport for Delta Cable Television was indeed a true life experience and the added bonus was my partner from down under". An extremely talented individual named Justin Stratford who hails from Australia and like a true "Ausie" loves the sport.

Normally one is captured by the speed and aggressive style of play, but as I am often reminded this only happens in its home land.

Our contact was the President of the North Delta Ausie Rules Football League, Mr. Mike McFarlane. He is an extremely knowledgeable individual with a colorful back ground of actually playing the sport - mind you it was some years ago. Remembering the age old phrase of gone but not forgotten Mike is living proof of this phrase.

With the sport still in his blood as well as having the ability to teach the youth he is passing his passion along to the youth, something more individuals should practice or perfect.

He has assembled a group of youngsters who range from age 11 to 17 years and now amass 8 teams in total, a sharp upswing from a short three years ago when he started with only 4 teams of various ages. In conversation with Mike "the hardest part of the program was acquiring a field to play on, as field location is prime time". In actuality the Corporation of Delta worked with him and made his job easier than he initially thought. The field of choice is Burnsview, located on 112th street in North Delta. They use the main football field which in reality is transformed into an oval for the sake of the sport, with markings made of orange pylon cones, so as to prevent injury.

Teams are co-ed in nature and everyone playing gets tons on field time. The individuals controlling the game tolerate no aggressive play nor do they allow it to start. A true meaning of what sport is about!

It is extremely interesting to note that Canada has a national Ausie Rules Football team that is made up of Canadian players from Ontario, Alberta and BC. There is no national funding and all expenses are paid by the players. One player on the team is attending University in Arizona and comes home to practice for the big matches.

Our National team is traveling to Australia in August to compete in a major event and is looking at bringing home a medal. High expectations - but no one goes to lose.

The players on the teams in north Delta have the luxury of playing with a senior team from Burnaby and the exposure to the game is exceptional. The older players pass on what they know and the youth are learning from experience. What a unique concept for sport and just possibly more teams/associations should look at this concept.

This sport could be included as part of our school sports curriculum and for Delta residents why not lead rather than follow.

I wish Mike and his associates all the success in what they do as they have put in time and effort, thereby deserving the opportunity to succeed. Mike has indicated he is willing to put on clinics for groups wishing to get involved in the sport from down under or Ausie Rules Football.

The class act of the sport is the men in white - The Umpires. Each team sport needs an umpire or official. Ausie Football has three senior umpires to control the game, two boundary umpires to return the ball to play and two goal umpires to judge shots for goals. All never losing control of there composure, and continually focused.

Jargon to understand:

Kicking: Players mainly kick drop punts for accuracy

Handball: Holding the ball in the palm of one hand and punching it with the other

Marking: Catching the ball after it has been kicked by another player without being touched in flight

Point: Scored when the ball goes between a goal post (the tall one) and a point post (the smaller post), or hits one of the goalposts or is "rushed". This happens when it comes off someone's hands before crossing the goal line. Could also happen if it is kicked through the other team's goals to thwart a goal. This is worth one point. Free Kicks to watch 4

Holding the man - holding your opponent when he hasn't got the ball. Tackling an opponent over the shoulder. Push in the back

If you are looking for info on Ausie Rules Football in North Delta please contact Mike McFarlane via e-mail lottaspike@telus.net or 604-596-1598 and tell him sportswave sent you.

If you are looking for an interesting site to connect to regarding Aussie Rules Football please visit the following site - www.afl.com.au. Enjoy the info and tell them sportswave sent you!!

Now sit back and enjoy the game!

Practice Makes Perfect

by S. Erickson

Kim and Travis were guests on DCTV Sportswave April 13th and they help you stay on the inside edge with power skating. One call is worth the time.

As one season comes to an end, many players ponder what they should focus or work on to advance to the next level of the game.

Some individuals tell you its upper body strength, others mention conditioning and others just state "work on what you feel comfortable at". While it is true these are essential to the game, one area stands out that many fail to mention. They have the mind set if they tell you, your feeling will be hurt, but in reality, honesty is the best policy. It's simply getting back to the basics - which is skating.

Many players seem to think since they made it to the ranks of junior they have what it takes, thereby feeling the more they play the better the skating. There is the outside possibility of it happening, but not always a factual statement.

For players to advance, they need to be open-minded in all areas of the game, and this includes skating. Like it or not, everyone can improve when it comes to being on the blades as even in the off-season the pro's continue to focus on this area as well. The game has changed over time, and in today's world of sports far more emphasis is placed on conditioning and the basics of the chosen game they play. This is not to say they are wrong, but rather at the pro level a game of dollars and cents is far more prevalent. Someone always pays the price.

In recent conversation with Kim Couper and Travis Nagata of On Edge Power Development they state "it is a combination of utilizing the stride with an extension of the leg through the knee". "All must work as a unit and the first stride is so important to your technique". In essence, the first stride utilizing a power stroke, which is no different from a piston in a car. The acceleration comes from the thrust, so shortening the stride is a waste of energy. Short choppy strides tend to burn energy, while a controlled longer stride displays stability and confidence. When the shorter stride is used it takes far more strides to cover the same distance that three or four long strides will accomplish.

The end result is making the best of what you have and qualified individuals will tell you the same.

Skating or striding is the same to all individuals who want to play in any level of the game. A graceful or smooth skater gets the job done with little or less effort and any scout will tell you that.

In conversation with several scouts that cover all leagues, they state skating is the most important part to any player. As they say "they can work on the rest". It's sort of trial and error for scouts cause try as they might, it's all up to the player and how they want to advance.

Recently, I have been asked by several players and officials about what they need to work on when it comes to advancing to the next level. When I state "work on your skating technique in all areas" some get offended and this alone shows little or self discipline. Rather than show your negative side, take what I say to heart, as I only want what's best for you. I see far too many individuals wanting to advance - but feel they are too good to work on the basics of the game - and the only thing that shows is your negativity.

Ask around as the instruction is out there, but don't take what they say for granted. Ask questions and get some input of whom they have taught. The track record shows how good they actually are and what they can offer.

It's never too late to perfect your talent, so stride long and hard to get to the next level of your game, be you a player or an official.

For more info click on www.onedgepower.com and get the inside scoop, thereby letting Kim and Travis help you improve your game.

Tell them you were referred by sportswave and they will help you get in step with your stride.