A footy fan in Canada
I work for a Canadian software firm and over the past couple of years we have been working on international expansion of our operations. We now have representatives in the USA, UK and Australia. With that international expansion, we have accrued many different tastes and preferences in regards to sport.
In Canada, most sports fans are extremely passionate about the game of ice hockey - I am among those people. Hockey is practically a religion in this country and most males regularly watch National Hockey League games on TV and in person, during the winter months. Our cold climate that provides us ice to skate on during the winter has spawned our love for a sport that has become a large part of our national identity.
Virtually all Canadian companies have an annual tradition of the office hockey pool. Staff members get together and have a draft of hockey players before the NHL season and, watch their players accumulate points during the year. Much of the time we have cash prizes but the real prize is bragging rights - demonstrating superior knowledge of the game we love.
This year with our international expansion, we had an Australian join our hockey pool. It was an exciting thing to have someone so new to the game throw his hat into the ring and play. Semi-seriously, I commented that, because he participated in our hockey pool, I would get involved in an Australian football pool, if he had one.
A few months later, wouldn't you know it - my Australian co-worker called me on my comment. He was setting up AFL Fantasy Elite game and asked if I was serious about participating. I said yes and we recruited several other players from our Canadian office into the game. Of course, none of us Canadians had a clue about the AFL. A few of us watched highlights on YouTube and tried to do some research but, trying to understand what a disposal or a ruck is - on short notice - was a challenge.
We held our draft and, not knowing any of the players, I used some universal sporting truths to pick my team. Players in their 20s are better to have than players in their 30s and the bigger they are, the better chance they have of getting the ball. On that premise I picked my team of 22 and hoped for the best.
What I didn't realize going into this was how much Australian footy would captivate me. I found myself going back to YouTube again and again to watch more. I decided to select a team to cheer for and - as shallow as this may sound - based on uniform color, appeal of the logo and the fact that they are a new team struggling to climb the ladder - I chose to follow the Gold Coast Suns.
After that, I watched some NAB Cup games, ordered a Suns shirt (will be interesting to see how long it takes to get to Canada) and have been a regular visitor to the AFL and Suns website. I am starting to get hooked on the AFL. Google led me here and I thoroughly enjoyed the video clip on the 1970 Grand Final. I love sport statistics, history and traditions and it appears that the AFL/VFL have some wonderful memories for me to learn about.
I know that I am just an infant in this sport and I have a lot to learn but, I am glad to be here. Thank you for accepting this fan from the land of ice and snow; I look forward to enjoying the AFL and maybe even making it to Australia for a game one day!
Comments
Andrew Gigacz 4 April 2013
Great story, Daryn. Hope to see you at the MCG one day!
Daryn Duliba 6 April 2013
A great Friday night. My Suns shirt arrived (took less than 3 weeks) and it looks great! Also listening to the online radio coverage of the Suns leading the Swans. :-)
natasha tierney 16 April 2013
You can watch a game each weekend on TSN . Each week they choose an Afl game to show. We tape them as they are usually on late in Calgary and then my son turns it on religiously every saturday morning when he wakes up!!
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