It’s part basketball, part soccer, part American football and part rugby – and it’s back in the Bow Valley thanks to a group of homesick Aussies.
For the second year in a row, the Bow Valley Australian Rules Football Team hosted a home tournament in the Rocky Mountains, this time at Millennium Field in Canmore.
Facing three teams from Calgary, the tournament drew 22 Bow Valley Aussies.
“A lot of Australians are missing footy at the moment. The season has been going since April in Australia and a lot of people are getting itchy feet,” said Bow Valley coach Nick Mamerow.
Mamerow, a Banffite by way of Adelaide, Australia, has played the game for 22 years and said he and many others jumped at the chance to play the game again.
“It stems from the Calgary league. They have been around for 15 years. Canmore and Banff obviously have quite the Australian showing. We hope to get more Canadians to join us soon,” Mamerow said.
After a successful first attempt last season, the team has practiced for weeks in Banff in preparation for the tournament. Calgary clubs are more than happy to make the drive to the Bow Valley, bringing three men’s teams and two women’s teams to Canmore.
In total, 22 players showed up for the Bow Valley squad, including six the club had never seen before. Playing two 15-minute halves as opposed to four 20-minute quarters kept the games fun and fast, showcasing serious hits and kicks.
“We managed to get enough people in the Bow Valley to warrant more game time, so why not?” Mamerow said. “We play a clean, skillfull game. It’s Aussie rules, so we’re not soft.
“We can definitely take a hit. We’re tackling, we’re hippin’ and shoulderin’ – but we can actually pinpoint a target with our foot 50 metres away.”
Since it’s a mixture of so many different games (the ball isn’t passed, but bumped volleyball style to your teammate), it appears to have a high learning curve, but Mamerow said that’s just not the case.
“If you’ve got a little sporting background, you’re fine. A few of the boys are doing better than we are. It’s the finer rules that take a little getting used to,” Mamerow said.
So how do you play?
“When we start the game, the ref throws the ball like basketball. The idea is to tap it down to your team so you get the first chance to score. Like soccer, you’re able to kick the ball off the ground. Like gridiron football, it’s about tactics and outsmarting the opposition team.”
The club is looking for more sponsors, and those interested in joining the team can visit the Bow Valley Australian Rules Football Club Facebook page. The club currently practices twice a week in Banff.
