Footy Takes Root in Columbus, Ohio
Submitted by Anonymous on July 24, 2008 - 8:59pm




Columbus, Ohio – Hundreds of emails, a city canvassed by fliers, Craigslist posts, Myspace bulletins, Facebook notes, rugby website announcements, countless phone calls, pleas to athletic friends, searches for local Australians, help requested from Nationals, six weeks of training, and dozens of post-practice beers have led to one dream becoming a reality; the Columbus Australian Rules Football Club.


 


From meager beginnings the team has come a long way in a short time.  Two Cincinnati Dockers players began kicking around in Columbus, which led to recruiting interested in friends and four guys at their first practice.  Practice attendance has jumped regularly to 10-15 players, which as allowed them to have weekly scrimmages.  They’ve even scheduled upcoming games against both Cincinnati and Louisville.


The team is still searching for an identity in a team name, logo and design.  An ideal name would reflect the foreign, exotic & toughness aspects of the sport.  Names with a hard ‘C’ or ‘K’ to flow with Columbus, like the Crush, Convicts, Craze, Cougars and Cannibals are being considered along with others like the Jackelopes, Ruckmen, Ballers & Explorers. 


 


Even with the encouraging start, the team is far from standing firm on their own feet.  They’re looking to get recognized by Nationals, and the Mid-America Australian Football League.  The squad is seeking local Australians who might assist in supporting, participating or coaching the club, and they are still recruiting athletic players.  Ohio State students John Fisher and Rob Ward are trying to establish a club team with the university, that will hopefully become a separate team one day.  Check out their website at, www.columbusfooty.com  They are looking for sponsorship to help them become the first team ever to form and attend Nationals, this October in Colorado, in the same year.


 


If you have any name suggestions, are an interested player or sponsor, or just want participate in the club, email Chet Ridenour at columbusfooty@gmail.com, you could become part of a team with something to celebrate come October.


 



Columbus Football Club posed for their first team picture.








- Chet Ridenour and John Fisher
(1164)

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