Australia Day Saturday Events
Just a gentle reminder that this coming weekend the BCfooty combined team will be playing against the Irish sports club team at our regular UBC sports fields. The game starts at 2pm and all players are asked to be at the field no later than 1:30pm. The field is located next to the ice hockey field off Wesbrook Mall – easily accessed by bus!
The aftergame festivities will continue at Mahony’s Bar and Grill (UBC). Last year was a fantastic day/evening and this year is destined to be even better. For $20 you can indulge in a dinner of Prawns, Lamb Chops, Snags (sausages), white buns, scalloped potatoes, salad and a lamington!
At the door the first 100 entrants can purchase a VB/Lamington/Red Bull Numbered Hockey Puck! for $10.
Red Bull are putting on a great afternoon/evening where they are televising live the Crashed Ice event from Quebec City! If your puck has the winners number on it…..you will win a spectacular prize.
Throughout the evening we will also be raffling off some great prizes!
Finally – Aussie Music, Bundaberg Rum/VB, and Aussie wines will be on special!
Cougar Legend Celebrates Birth of Baby Daughter
Cougar legend, exquisite player and goal kicker – Doug Vargo and his beautiful wife Lydia have announced the arrival of their first child.
On January 21st, Nylah Grace Vargo was born – safe and sound in Australia.
Interviewed via satellite phone Doug commented;
“……. Lyds and I just wanted to let you all know that little Nylah Grace Vargo was born at 3.21am this morning, January 21st – Australian time. Lyds was absolutely phenominal throughout the birth. She started having contractions around 10pm, we were at the hospital around midnight and then 3 hours later were holding our beautiful little 7pound 7 baby girl. It was more special than any of my sensational game saving goals that I kicked throughout my career with the Cougars……yes, more special.”
And in a very candid moment Doug continued, “in my perpspective of the world let’s face it, I’m 3rd ranked now – Lydia, Nylah and Doug”.
The Vancouver Australian Football Club – players, members and supporters alike wish Doug and Lydia a heart felt congratulations on this wonderful news. Nylah will be well looked after and will bring joy and happiness to the Vargo family. Well done Doug and Lydia.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
The Vancouver Australian Football Club is extending its best wishes to Cougar Legend – Rob Edmonds. Edmonds is a Cougar legend who has played 61 games and kicked 8 magnificent goals for the football club and recently signed an extension on his 2009/10 contract as he pushes for the 70 games milestone.
Edmonds is recovering from appendicitis surgery in his Vancouver residence. Edmonds was contacted via telephone and offered “assurance that I will be fully recovered by the start of the 09 season. Obviously my usual intensive pre season training will be put on hold but I honestly believe with my superior level of fitness and a small level of specialised muscle work in say, March, I will be as fit for game #1 in April!”.
The entire VAFC board and all supporters and players wish Rob a full and speedy recovery.
VAFC Board.
Pre Season Draft Extends Overseas for Cougars
Pre Season Draft Extends Overseas for Cougars!
Old is New in Cougarland!
In what can only be explained as an act of desperation it is confirmed through very reliable AFL sources that the VAFC Cougars have officially conducted training camps in Australia in an effort to recruit players for the 2009 NWPAFL season.
Clearly evident over the Christmas period has been the Cougar’s lack of scheduled Pre Season training. All other NWPAFL clubs including the Saints, Eagles, Delta Hawks and ISSC Harps have embarked on heavy Pre Season training schedules in the Vancouver area and advertised openly on the www.bcfooty.com website for new players.
However, the Cougar’s have, up till now, been extremely secretive regarding their preparation for the 2009 season. Brad Jorgensen, Cougar’s Senior Coach stated, while shopping at a FlightCentre location in Kitsilano, that ‘there has always been a expectation for players to complete their own fitness training during and throughout the year. If players head overseas to specialised training camps then that’s their prerogative”.
We have now confirmed that secretly the Cougars have been training – albeit in Australia.
‘It was peculiar that Stu Grills took an extended holiday to Australia while ensuring his employees (Ward Frost (WCAFC) and Brendan Coleman (ISSC)) were mandated to clear snow for 18 days straight. And I don’t think that [Stu] accidently had several other NWPAFL people covering his butt during that time”, commented Scott Sheen (WAFC Senior Coach) via telephone yesterday. ‘It all smells like a typical bloody S W Grillswald scheme to throw all the other teams off guard. I know our veteran Campion is still recovering from mild Hypothermia and Excessiveworkitis symptoms during Grills’ absence. We are not happy and will be contacting BCfooty to discuss the restriction of trade conditions”.
BAFC Eagles’ President and Coach were equally as suspicious regarding the Cougars’ approach. While attending a BAFC player retreat and team building camp in Whistler, Chris Freeman stated ‘its crap” and Coach Matt Bell emphasised ‘focusing on veterans may buy a flag in the short term but its not a very strong long term approach is it?”.
Past players were apparently the target of the Cougars and specifically some well known and well respected individuals. Names to be thrown around involved – Jason Bencich (2007 runner up B&F Cougars), Will Vanderlou (The 2007 Dooner), Tim McGrath (ex Cougar President), Doug Vargo (NWPAFL forward sensation), Josh Lappin and even veteran James Lay – all who have been in direct contact with the Cougars’ Management team recently. However sources could only confirm that both Peter Fidelli and Scott Fleming were officially invited to return for the 2009 season.
Of perhaps greater interest to the football followers in this neck of the woods was the fact that local notable, David Miller (WCSAFC) was also being courted by the Cougars. Saints officials denied this speculation but did confirm that Miller was in Australia at present and was currently not returning any Saints texts and emails. WCAFC
Communication Manager Jake Benson released a very detailed Press Release from his
Down town 2010 Penthouse summarised as ‘Miller is in Australia. He has seen some old friends. He is still under contract with the Saints. He is still valued as a Saints player and there is no need to be concerned about his contract renewal”. However, Benson did not comment on whether the Cougars had been in negotiations with Miller.
Fidelli and Fleming have confirmed an interest in playing for the Cougars in 2009 and are currently optioning their contracts. It does appear that they have been trying to influence Miller to join them!
Expect to see some new faces in the Cougars camp that may indeed be ‘not that new after all” remarked VAFC President Tony Cooper.
The 2009 NWPAFL season is hotting up already and not a ball has been bounced!
The Whisper!
