An Exciting Year Upcoming for Australian Rules Football
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - Tony Cooper is the president of the Vancouver Cougars Football Club where they play the great Aussie game by Australian Rules football, which is referred to as "footie".
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| TONY COOPER |
Cooper has been playing Australian Rules football since he was six years old. So it’s not surprising that when he arrived in Vancouver four years ago from Sydney, Australia, he joined the Vancouver Cougars straightaway and has been a going concern ever since.
Many people think when they hear the term Australian Rules football that anything goes in the game. But Tony Cooper said, “that’s a problem and a perception that a lot of people have about the game, but actually there are a lot of rules to playing Australian Rules football.
For instance part of the rules are to always protect the player. You can’t tackle above the shoulders. You can’t push people in the back and you can’t trip people over. There are also rules for running with the ball and how you’re supposed to kick and pass the ball. They’re simple rules designed to protect the player and limit injuries.
What has now become a tradition for the last couple of years, the Aussie Cougars have been starting their season off with a St. Patrick’s Day clash with the Irish Vancouver Harps. “Since there’s a difference in the rules for Gaelic football and Australian Rules football – when these two teams get together, we play by international rules.”
Tony said, “there’s more adaption for us than for the Irish team. Number one, it’s getting used to a round ball rather than an oval ball. And when you take a catch or a mark in Australian football, you get a free kick type of thing. Whereas in Irish football you play on so that it’s continually moving. Also, we have trouble picking the ball up off the ground, so we have a bit of adapting to do.”
The Vancouver Cougars are preparing for a very busy season this year with two big tournaments and some travelling involved. “We will be fielding a team to take part in the Gaelic football tournament in White Rock on the weekend of July 1-2. We always thoroughly enjoy ourselves at that event.”
Tony said, “this year we are holding a very large tournament for U.S. Footie at Thunderbird Stadium at the University of British Columbia which will take place on July 22-23. There will be six teams coming from the U.S. and the games will be televised and filmed. It will be the first time we have played football under lights in North America, so we’re pretty excited about this...it’s going to be huge. U.S. Footie have signed a contract with television rights to the event, so to be honest it will be amazing.”
The Vancouver Cougars hold a practice every Thursday night at the Burnaby Rugby Club in Burnaby, and one of the reasons that training is always on Thursday is because Fox Sports play the highlights of Australian Rules football for an hour.
“So, after practice, we all go into the pub to watch football,” Tony said. “We have a few drinks and watch the only football that’s on. The local television never has any football on, but now they’re going to be doing it...so we’re all excited about it.”
It’s estimated that there are about, 40,000 Australians living in Vancouver and Tony said the team gets a good turn-out of anywhere from 200-300 people to watch them play. Although, he said, “the problem is a lot of Australians are only here for a year or two, so it’s always changing.”
The Cougars will also be travelling to Seattle and Victoria and they will be in Calgary for a tournament to coincide with the Calgary Stampede. The team also sometimes plays teams from the U.S. that come up from Denver.
“So there are a range of teams available,” said Tony, “and we now have virtually two teams in Vancouver and we play inter-club matches against ourselves. Also, for the first time, the U.S. Nationals are allowing teams from Canada to take part in their national tournament. We’re hoping to get enough people together to go down and play there.”
The Vancouver Cougars always welcome new players and the age range is from 16 to 45. They also have a junior program for 12 to 15 year olds. The club has an award winning website that is well-maintained with a lot of information about Australian Rules football and an updated schedule of events throughout the year. So, if you would like to go out to their training or contact them, their address is: www.bcfootie.com
Mark These Play Dates for Vancouver Cougars FC
The following are some important dates to make note of for the Vancouver Cougars Football Club. Some of the main events being held in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle.
May 28 - 29 - Nine-a-side event : Vancouver, Burnaby, Seattle (2) Calgary (2) and Victoria
June 18 - Seattle vs Vancouver: Burnaby Lakes Field
July 22-23 - West Coast Challenge: UBC Thunderbird Stadium (This event involves five of the best U.S. teams and Vancouver. Held over two days and it will be the first time football in North America has been played under lights.)
For more information on other scheduled games call: Tony Cooper (ajcworldwide@hotmail.com) (604) 209-6233 or Stuart Grills (stu_grills@hotmail.com) (604) 831-6094, or check-out the Cougars website: www.bcfooty.com.
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