Canada Day was celebrated in Ontario with a Footy Festival Extravaganza! In co-operation with the OAFL and the Etobicoke Kangaroos, the national team, Northwind, hosted a special football event featuring two matches at Humber College's South campus. The first match was Ontario hosting Quebec as Quebec look to gain entrance into the OAFL in the near future. The second was the match up which has been gaining popularity as quite a contest — the Northwind faced the OAFL Australian All-Stars.
The Northwind game was the second of three development matches in which Canada face off against the Australians as they prepare for their quest, the 2008 International Cup, coming up in less than two months.
The Northwind started with many players who would be considered likely starters in Australia and have recognized the importance of these feature matches. It was also the first time the players saw their IC uniforms and they were anxious to represent their country wearing them.
The Australians assembled a very impressive collaboration of talent and looked very strong as the favoured team in the match. It is perceived also to be one of the most enthusiastic teams ever assembled to represent Australia in the OAFL as they performed with pride and determination in their approach to the game.
Last month, the 25 players from Ontario who will represent Canada at the 2008 International Cup in Melbourne, Australia in August were announced. Now, five more players from Western Canada have been added to the squad and another player has been added to the injury reserve list.
Congratulations to Gareth Bowley, Scott Fleming, Clayton Holmes, James Maitland and Gareth Williams who were named to the squad and Matt Kidd who is on the injury reserve list.
In an effort to ensure that we bring the strongest team, other selections may be added to round out the national team and the availability of current prospects is realized. The final roster will not exceed 32 players.
National Head Coach Mark Block has announced the first 25 player selections representing Canada for the International Cup 2008 in Melbourne. These players are only selections from Ontario. Players from Alberta and B.C. will be scouted at the Kelowna Footy Tournament on June 7th 2008. Final selections will round out the national team after the Kelowna tournament and may include other prospects or players on injury reserve. The roster will not exceed 32 players.
The Northwind, in conjunction with the Etobicoke Kangaroos, will be holding an Anzac Day Party on Friday, April 25th at Philthy McNasty's on King Street West.
There will be giveaways, door prizes, a major prize draw and more! And, the Collingwood vs. Essendon match will be played (tape-delayed). Let's have a great night to kick off the season and the biggest year in Canada yet!
Northwind General Manager Martin Walter was recently in Melbourne scouting for Canadian born footballers in Australia. While there, he was interviewed along with Sydney Swans General Manager Tony Morwood on 3AW Sports Today.
This is a notice to all Northwind national team players, prospects, medical, and management staff. The Northwind will be holding a very important meeting and your attendance is required:
Northwind Winter Conference
Sunday, December 16th, 2007 from 11 am to 3 pm
30 Grand Truck Crescent, Toronto (one block west of the Air Canada Centre)
This is not a training session. Go to the reception and you will be directed to the conference room.
On the agenda will be:
A forum on the team's successes, failures, goals, strategies and implementation for the 2008 season
An outline of the schedule for the International Cup in Australia for 2008
Important discussion on the Northwind's schedule for 2008
Possible new appointments for the national team's leadership groups
Introduction of Northwind's winter fitness testing program for all players and prospects
Fund raising initiatives (Northwind membership packages, etc.)
For all Ontario players and prospects, however, this meeting is to be considered a TOP PRIORITY. BC Footy, Alberta Footy, coaches are encouraged to invite players and prospects to attend (not mandatory).
The AFL has announced games for the 2008 International Cup will be scheduled for Melbourne and Warrnambool. AFL Ambassador Kevin Sheedy and AFL General Manager David Matthews made the announcement from Reid Oval in Warrnambool on Tuesday.
The third International Cup will coincide with the AFL’s 150 years celebrations in August next year. The battle for the Cup will begin on the 27th of August with the first two rounds taking place in Melbourne before teams travel to Warrnambool on the 31st for a further two rounds to be played on Mack Oval, Reid Oval and Walter Oval. At this stage the finals will still be played in Melbourne though the location is still unannounced.
So far 17 teams have expressing an interest in competing in the tournament; Canada will join teams from China, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, India, Japan, Nauru, Spain, Papua New Guinea, Sweden, Samoa, Tonga, South Africa, USA and past winners Ireland (2002) and New Zealand (2005).
AFL great Kevin Sheedy along with players from Northwind, the national Canadian Australian Football Team, its Head Coach, Mark Block, and the team's General Manager, Martin Walter, opened the Toronto Stock Exchange today. Kevin Sheedy is currently in Toronto to get a firsthand look at the development of Australian Rules football in Canada.
On October 6th 2007, 10:00am, AFL Canada will be hosting the touring "Convicts" Australian Football Team from down under. The game will be part of the OAFL's Grand Final Day. The combination of these two games promise to make this one of the greatest spectacles of footy on the 2007 calendar.
YOU CAN PLAY!
Yes, even if you are not a member of the Northwind or a non-Canadian, you're invited. Just contact Rosscoe Heilmann (Northwind Team Manager) by phone: (416) 482-6153 or by e-mail: rheilmann@aflcanada.com. There are still spots available so register today to ensure your spot on the roster!
Cross border footy certainly has been a touchy issue for Canadians as of late. Ask any Northwind player about their success against the Revolution and you would have likely heard nothing but snarls. Although this match-up has always been close, until August 4th 2007, the Northwind had not beaten the Revolution in an official international competition. A record like that weighs heavily on a team. In Vancouver, B.C. however, the Northwind finally shed their past, and delivered a great performance in beating the U.S. side.
This marquee match was part of an expose of Australian football hosted at Thunderbird Stadium. From the grandstand, this spectacular venue offered spectators an impressive view of international footy played on an oval in pristine condition. The weekend was a jam packed 2-day schedule of non-stop footy, featuring not only the senior mens' national teams, but also Canada and U.S.'s junior, and womens' teams as well as teams representing Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Portland; even players from Japan who battled for the B.C. Footy Cup. Everything from newspaper and radio coverage, event programs, beer and meat pie concessions, even music and commentary ensured this to be the greatest amateur 'Footy' event that has ever been held in North America.
Saturday's 2:00 pm feature match was the senior men. It started with the Revolution entering the field accompanied by Bruce Springstein's "Born in the USA" while the Northwind followed by BTO's "You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet" blaring over the stadium's P.A. system. After the teams lined up for national anthems, the battle was on. What an exciting start!
On Sunday, July 15th, 2007, the newly formed Ottawa Swans hosted their second exhibition match against Canada's national team. For the Swans, the match was an opportunity to unite the club and prepare for their inaugural season when they join the OAFL in 2008. The Northwind also looked forward to the game as they prepare for their rematch against the Revolution in three weeks.
For the Northwind, their morning started with a 4 hour bus ride from Toronto organized by the newly appointed "Team Operations Manager", Rosscoe Heillman. When they arrived they were prepared for a tough match. They heard reports of the Swans' 75 point victory in their first match only two weeks earlier. The Northwind needed a good outing if they were to travel to Vancouver with confidence and enthusiasm.
This year's Canada Day game was celebrated with a post-game barbeque and later with a gathering in Toronto. National Team sponsors attended the event and were inspired by the Northwind's game performance. That evening, they rewarded two MVPs, Stefan Leyhane and Aaron Falcioni with free airfare to the international match against the USA being held next month in Vancouver.
The Northwind would like to express their gratitude to Managing Director, Mr. Scott Jobin-Bevans of Caracle Creek Consulting Inc. as well as Martin Walter, Managing Director of Ironbark International Limited for their generous support of Northwind's developing national program by providing these very special incentives. Vision Glass Toronto Limited as well as Purefire Communications have also provided ongoing support for the program. The Northwind wish to communicate to all these companies how deeply their generosity is appreciated. Thank you!
The second Northwind development game was against the OAFL's Australian All-Stars. Stacked with skilled players, the Australian team looked to uphold their own national pride by showing the Northwind how to play their Aussie game. This is exactly what Canada's national program needs. Stiff competition always helps a developing team. To be successful at the international level, matches like this are necessary as they help elevate skill and intensity levels to a higher standard.
This was the first or four inter-league development matches aimed at providing the national team with some real game experience before heading to Vancouver for the biggest international tournament of the year, the feature match being the Northwind vs. US Revolution. The Dingos were to be the first of four teams to host an event with follow-ups against the OAFL Aussie All-stars, the Broadview Hawks and the Ottawa Swans later in the season. After the Vancouver tournament, the final match of the 2007 schedule will be the touring Convicts who will be facing the Revolution one week before their match against the Northwind on the OAFL's Grand Final Day, Saturday, October 6th, 2007.
This first match was a tough day to get through for all players involved as most of them had games with their own club teams only hours earlier. The game started out an even 15 per side but as the game progressed, the Northwind were tested with the coach placing the national team at a two man disadvantage. "I want to challenge the squad at all times. The competition is only going to get tougher." said Coach Block.
The Northwind released its game and training schedule for 2007. The schedule includes four games before they play in the Vancouver International Tournament in August.
May 2007 Training Dates (Humber College, North Campus):
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Test your skills and fitness levels. Maybe you've got what it takes to elevate your performance and take your football experience to the next level. The Northwind, Canada's national team, is building its roster for the 2007/2008 "Road to Melbourne". The team will be competing for the coveted International Cup. Will you be there?
On Wednesday, April 25th, Team Canada Northwind, Canada's National Australian Football team, invites you and a guest to attend the media launch party for the 2007 at Empire Resto-Lounge, 50 Cumberland Street (between Yonge and Bay Streets in Toronto) and kick off the team's quest to represent Canada at the 2008 International Cup taking place in Melbourne, Australia.
AUSSIE RULES!
Wednesday, April 25th EMPIRE Resto-Lounge, 50 Cumberland Street, Toronto Tel: 416-840-8440 Doors open at 6:00 pm Complimentary refreshments and door prizes
This exciting international tournament will feature over 25 teams from Europe, Asia/Pacific, and the Americas, and during the two-week series, Canada is scheduled to play several games against teams from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Great Britain. In August of this year, Northwind will also play the U.S. National team (The Revolution), at Vancouver's Thunderbird Stadium, along with teams from Japan and England.
Northwind's Team Manager, Martin Walter, and National Head Coach Mark Block will be joined by representatives from the local Ontario AFL teams at the party where guests will be able to participate in games of footy skill, watch footage from some of the greatest games and recent Grand Final highlights from Down Under and enjoy complementary hors d'oeuvres and refreshments.
With two months preparation for this event, Canada's national team traveled to Houston for their first competition under new head coach Mark Block. Given this short notice, the Northwind only sent one team down to face both the Revolution Reserves and their National team. Make no mistake; the team assembled was filled with veteran players of international experience as well as eager newcomers looking to solidify a spot on the national team. With a good winter training camp, it looked as though Canada would certainly give the Americans all they could handle.
The 2007 Australian Rules football season kicks off this Saturday, January 20th at 1:30 PM CST at Tom Bass Park in Houston when the United States Revolution play host to Canada's Northwind.
This will be the seventh meeting between the two countries and the first of two games planned this year. The teams will meet in a return match in Vancouver at the beginning of August. The Northwind take a 2-game winning streak into this one after finishing the 2005 International Cup with wins over Spain and South Africa.
Message from Mark (Flash) Block, Head Coach Team Canada:
To all eligible Canadian players interested in representing the Northwind in 2007 and the 2008 International Cup in Melbourne, Australia.
Please contact Mark at mblock@aflcanada.com ASAP to let him know of your interest in being considered for selection for Team Canada. Mark needs to be able to select from all of the talent available across Canada. Let's make this the best ever to represent Canada. This coming year of 2007 is a busy one for Canada so jump on board and make it a successful one as well.
The first event is January 20th in Houston, Texas at Tom Bass Park against the USA. It is the start of Australia week in Houston and will be a fantastic way to start your footy season. The second big event will be in the weekend of August 4-5 in Vancouver at Thunderbird Stadium with games against the USA and Japan. This weekend will also include the first junior international game between Canada and the USA and also the possibility of the first women's international game between Canada and the USA. It will be a weekend to remember.
Don't miss out, contact Mark and get involved. Training has already commenced in Toronto, is beginning in BC next week and Alberta soon.
AFL Canada President Mike McFarlane announced new appointments today in a letter to all Northwind players:
As president of AFL Canada it is my honor to announce the appointments of Mark "Flash" Block as senior head coach of the Northwind for the term leading up to and including the 2008 IC in Melbourne, Australia. We on the board know that Mark will do a great job as head coach of the national team. We would like all of you to show the same enthusiasm and dedication to the team that you have shown in the past. Mark will be taking over the head coaching position and all that it entails immediately.
At the same time the board would like to welcome Martin Walker to the Northwind as team manager for the term leading up to and including the 2008 IC in Melbourne, Australia. The team of Mark and Martin will bring a fantastic combination of all the traits that are need to create an unbeatable team for Team Canada. Please show Martin all of the respect that he deserves but will also earn during his tenure.
The year of 2007 for the Northwind is a busy one. The schedule will be announced within the next couple of days so please make sure that if you want to be on the team for 2008 that you make yourself available for all of the training and games on the Northwind's schedule.
Thanks you for taking the time to read this and good luck for the coming year.
AFL Canada is seeking to fill the Head Coaching position and assistants for the men's national team. One assistant will be named from each province. These positions will be decided by the new national team coach.
The Northwind is looking for people to carry on the progress by the last coaching and management staff. These positions will run through the 2008 International Cup.
These are volunteer positions and will be appointed to run through to the end of 2008. The coaches will be required to pay the same proportion of costs as the players. A brief description of the positions will follow.
All applicants must forward an electronic resume to Mike McFarlane (mmcfarlane@aflcanada.com) by October 11, 2006.
AFL Canada would like to announce the forming of the Team Canada squad for the series of games that will be played by Team Canada during the years 2007-2008.
Games at this stage are scheduled as follows:
February 2007: Tri Series against USA and Great Britain in the USA (venue to be determined)
August 2007: Tri Series against USA and Japan (in Vancouver)
August 2008: International Cup (in Melbourne, Australia)
Training is being arranged at the Team Canada indoor training facility at the Hanger sports complex in Toronto for Saturday afternoons, 4pm-6pm from November - January.
All players that are eligible to represent Canada and are interested in training with the squad are asked to contact AFL Canada International Liaison Officer Greg Everett before September 11th to register their interest, so that the viability of the upcoming training sessions can be determined.
Two of Canada's young talents were recently given a chance to train with the Sydney Swans while they were in Los Angeles for an exhibition game. They were featured in Australia's The Age.
The board of AFL Canada is looking to fill the vacant position of Head Coach of the National Team. We are looking for an individual to fill this volunteer position for a one year term. After the term, a review will be done with the Board and Head Coach to see if both parties choose to carry on the arrangement through to the 2008 International Cup.
In as suprise move the coaching staff sat out many of the teams veterans, opting for youth and speeed. The gamble paid off as Canada was victorious over a vastly improved South Africa side.
It was an enjoyable evening at the Telstra dome as the nations and AFL dignitaries gathered to honour the players from the 2005 International Cup. Many of the nations displayed their fine singing voices, watched the video highlights from the games in the tournament and heartily congratulated the award winners and selectees.
Paul Loughnane from the Mississauga Demonswas name Best Player by the team and was awarded a guenrsey sign by all the players on our host club the Sydney Swans. The International select team saw Canada do better with two players. Rob McElwain from the Windsor Mariners and Paul Loughnane. Well done boys!
Canada secured it's first victory of the competiton without stepping onto the field. Spain in their first cup appearance has been overwhelmed by injury and is unable to field a team. The Spanish Bulls have played with heart and enthusiam but with the few numbers they did bring the injuries added up quickly.
Canada had an unexpected day off and used it for light training and team meetings In preparation of their final match on Saturday.
Another dissapointing loss for the Canadains. Once again Northwind started poorly failing to execute their passes cleanly. The Bulldogs maintained a constant pressure at every contest and easily turned away Canada's only attack into the forward 50. After one quarter of play the Northwind was lucky to be trailing by only 9 points.
Murphy Reserve – Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Canada 4.3.27 defeated by Papau New Guinea 5.11.41
Heavy rains overnight made for a soft ground and sloppy conditions this morning as the Northwind took to the field against the speedy PNG team. The Canadian team had a tough time adjusting play to the quick ball movement of the Mosqitoes.
Murphy Reserve – Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Canada 3.5.23 defeated by Ireland 4.7.32
In a repeat of the 2002 IC opening match the Northwind were facing the Irish national team. The boys knew going in this was to be a tough game and would be a good measure of how far they come in three years. The Northwind came out hard from the opening bounce taking the Irish by surprise. Through out the day the Northwind played a fast, physically punishing game against Ireland earning the respect and admiration of their opponents and all who watched.
Yesterday, six Northwind players went to the Molson Indy pits and taught Alex Tagliani how to play footy. The segment was filmed for CBS television and will be shown before the race on Sunday. Tagliani, a Canadian driver, and his Team Australia teammate Marcus Marshall participated.
Northwind's fundraising for their trip to the 2005 International Cup continues. After completing the Sporting Like 10K run on the weekend, the boys head to the links next.
Thanks to Audi Canada, someone will be walking away from next week's Cause for Oz Golf Tournament with a brand new 2006 Audi A3 2.0. Come out and take a swing. You could walk away with a sweet ride!
The AFL has released the schedule for the 2005 International Cup. Canada will play six games, including one at Optus Oval and one in Wangarratta (a country venue about 230 km northeast of Melbourne). The Grand Final will be played at the MCG as a curtain raiser to the Collingwood vs. Carlton match. Go Northwind!
Northwind got some great press coverage earlier this week. On Tuesday, we were featured both on The Score's Sportsworld program and on CityTV's Breakfast Television show. Hopefully, the coverage will continue as we lead up to the Interational Cup in August!
The 2005 Northwind team was announced last night at a dinner held in Toronto. Sydney Swans General Manager Tony Morwood was on hand to present Team Canada guernseys to the players selected.
Thanks to all players that tried out for the squad and congratulations to the 35 players and 10 alternates that were selected!
AFL Canada is pleased to announce their AFL host club will be the Sydney Swans whilst in Melbourne for the 2005 International Cup in August.
The Melbourne based office of the Sydney Swans, headed by former club great and General Manager Tony Morwood, has been very helpful to Team Canada since the relationship was first forged in September of 2004. While here on vacation in April, Tony Morwood will join Team Canada for training and will be present for the announcement of the 35 strong squad for the 2005 International Cup.
Team Canada is proud to announce more managerial appointments for the upcoming 2005 International Cup, welcoming Julian Thornbury as Team Manager and Kieran Sparks as a Team Runner.
Vision Glass announced a special event in support of Northwind. They will donate up to $100 for each windshield they replace up until May 31st for customers with a voucher. All money raised will go directly toward the team’s expenses for the upcoming 2005 International Cup held in Melbourne.
Please welcome Paul Feltham to the Northwind staff as a Consultant and Sports Psychologist. Paul played on the 1975 North Melbourne premiership team and played a total of 145 AFL games. He also coached the Brisbane Lions in 1990.
Paul and his experience in Australian Football at the highest level will be a great addition to our team as we strive for victory at this year's 2005 International Cup.
Last weekend, the Northwind threw a fundraising party to help raise money for their trip to the International Cup in August. The Valentine's-themed event, which included an auction of some of the players, was a huge success. A big thanks goes out to the sponsors and, especially, to the over 300 hundred people who came out and supported the event. We're thrilled that everybody had a great time.
The AFL released a proposed draw last week for this year's International Cup. The tournament runs from August 3rd-10th in Melbourne, Australia.
The 12 national teams are divided into two pools. Each team will play the five other teams in its pool before a classification match against the same place finisher from the other pool. Canada is in Pool B and is scheduled to play Spain, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Samoa.
AFL Canada is pleased to announce the launch of new logos for Northwind, Canada's national Australian football team, today. The crisp, bold new logos are in line with the professionalism that the team now puts forward both on and off the field.
AFL Canada and Northwind management are pleased to announce the first 15 players named to the 35-man 2005 International Cup squad and the full list of 81 players that have been invited to training camp.
The 2005 International Cup will be held in Melbourne, Australia in August 2005 and will involve up to 15 other countries.
Training Camp will start on Sunday January 16th in Toronto at their indoor training facility “The Hanger”, Downsview Park between 4pm-6pm.
On the weekend of July 31-August 1, AFL Canada and their national team, "The Northwind", hosted the United States Australian Football league (USAFL) and their national team, "The Revolution", in a series of International matches featuring their "A" and "B" squads.
Come out and support the Northwind, Canada's national Australian football team against the USA as they battle for the 49th Parallel Cup in Toronto. All games will be held at Humber College North.
The indoor training venue in Hamilton that was booked for this Saturday has been cancelled on us. As such, please note the time and venue changes for the tryouts for Ontario based players.
The coaching staff of Northwind, Canada's national Australian Football teamm wish to announce open tryouts for the 2004 Team Canada Northwind Representative games. There will be both a senior team and an Under 23 Development Squad.
The Canadian Australian Football Association wish to announce the Northwind Raffle. Proceeds go to help fund Team Canada trip to Australia in 2005 for the International Cup. We have great prizes lined up and CAFA clubs benefit too!
Northwind management would like to announce the appointments of assistant coaches Troy Rose of Calgary and Troy Marsh of Toronto. Both Troy’s bring a many years of Australian Football experience to the Northwind and we look forward to having them work with the Canada’s most talented Australian footballers as we move towards the International Cup in Melbourne, Australia in 2005
It is with regret that Northwind management announces that effective, February 12th, Sherelle Kelly has resigned from her position as Team Manager for the Canadian Northwind National team.
After selflessly dedicating herself to this management role over the last 18 months, Squirrel has decided that she needs to take some personal time away from the demands of this position. Please join me in thanking Squirrel for her dedication, support and tireless effort over the last 18 months. She has been an important part of the Northwind management team and as a result, we've been able to move the national team into a stronger and more professional position for the International Cup in 2005. I personally, as I'm sure you all do, wish her nothing but the best for the future.
In the coming days a job description and job posting will be added to this website for the position of Northwind Team manager.
It is with great disappointment that Denmark, Ireland and Great Britain have informed us that they will not be sending teams to compete in the Atlantic Alliance Cup. They feel that they would rather stay home and play matches against themselves and the developing countries of France, Sweden Spain and Germany. The European teams feel that the strain on their financial resources is too much with next years International Cup around the corner. It is hoped that the Atlantic Alliance Cup can be resumed in 2010.
The USAFL has been informed and we will be working with them to play a match against them on the weekend of July 31st. One idea floating around is that we form an Australian team from both Canada and the USA to be a 3rd team for that long weekend.
More details will be made available as they are known.
On behalf of the CAFA Board of Directors, I would like to announce the recognition of Greg Everett as the official Head Coach of the Northwind. In order to ensure that the team continues momentum into the next global competition, the term of the position will extend until October 31, 2005.
Greg brings a great deal of knowledge, experience, and heart to the position. We believe that the team is headed in the right direction under his leadership and that we should see a more competitive and successful team at the next International Cup.
Please forward this announcement to your teams and club members.
July 3, 2008 by Mark Block | View Comments (0)
(PDF, 1.7 MB).
Vision Glass announced a special event in support of Northwind. They will donate up to $100 for each windshield they replace up until May 31st for customers with a voucher. All money raised will go directly toward the team’s expenses for the upcoming 2005 International Cup held in Melbourne.
The 2004 Northwind squads were announced last night. The teams will play the USA this coming weekend in the 49th Parallel Cup.