Central Blues Australian Football Club

Blues Website Back On-Line

2009-04-27T04:24:00.000-07:00

After being taken off line due to technical issues, the Central Blues Official Website has been re-launched. Check it out here.

A Message from our Club Social Director - Dan "D-Train" Zimmerman

2009-03-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

April 7 – Target date for outdoor training (weather permitting):
We hope to be outside for Tuesday and Thursday trainings in a couple of weeks. The training isn’t the social part but we usually go out every Thursday after practice to grab some food and a couple drinks at our sponsor pub.

April 18 – “Blues and Whites” Intrasquad Match:
Just a chance for everyone to get some touches on the ball and a great opportunity for the newer players to learn more about playing footy. We will be heading to the pub after the game for some drinks and to chat about the game.

Location: Blues Training ground (by Hart House at UofT)
Time: 11:00 am

April 23 – Jumper Presentation Night:
Each player will be presented with their jersey and number for the season (if you still have your jumper, bring it to Bruce at practice). There will be other announcements, including the 2009 Blues Captains and a few words from Jase, Knackers, and Jaye-Mac. This will take place at our sponsor pub after training (presentations will start at approximately 8:30 pm).

April 25 – ANZAC Day Game:
We will be playing a pre-season game to mark this Australian – New Zealand holiday (it commemorates the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in World War I). Location and time for the game are being finalized at this time.

July 4 - Blues Family & Sponsors Day:
The club will be using this day to specifically honour the unsung heroes of the club. The club's family, friends and of course our sponsors.

There are plans afoot to have a season launch party in mid-May (weekend of the 15th-17th). This is one week before the season starts and is the same weekend as the Canadian Nationals Tournament. It looks to be a ripper of an event so I will keep you posted as it develops.

Please contact Dtrain if you require any more information.

FOSTERS ONBOARD THE 2009 BLUES TRAIN

2009-03-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

The Central Blues are proud to announce the continuing partnership with their Major Sponsor FOSTERS. On behalf of the club we would like to thank FOSTERS for their continuing support in both our on-field endeavours as well as our off-field activities.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2009-03-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

Much has been said about this seasons OAFL introduction of an official "Reserves" competition league - with a real season fixture and a real trophy and title on offer. The new "Reserves" league can be seen as an indicator of the continuing natural development of the league and game in Toronto. Teams are recruiting and keeping new players more effectively than ever before and the growing base of players continuing on from their first, second seasons coupled with the seasoned veterans, the league and its clubs have never been in a stronger position in terms of the popularity of the game.

Last year 5 recreational games were played between composite sides hosted by the Central Blues and the Broadview Hawks. They were composite sides because often you would find players from other clubs outside of the Blues and Hawks joining in for extra run. Sometimes you would even find Blues playing in the Hawks jumpers and vice versa (yes it was they were dirty acts - but it just served to show how little these games mattered). The composite Hawks won the first few before the Blues got some revenge later in the year. In the end the scores never mattered as there was never a trophy and title on the line - and the sides composition never allowed for that pride felt when wearing YOUR club jumper. And more importantly it was just a chance for a somewhat regulated game of footy - where new players could get a taste of what the game was about and oldies got a chance to relive bygone glory days.

With the introduction of an official title and trophy on the line, coupled with increasing competition for a spot on the "Seniors" squad - players will need to take these games more seriously. I know for a fact that the Blues coaching team this year will be using performances by the players in the reserves games as ne way of selecting some players. So those players on the fringe of selection, and even those players who think they have a permanent spot in their clubs senior side should sit up and take notice. Many of the OAFL clubs have never been in such a luxurious position (in terms of the number talented players to select from) as they find themselves with as they head into the upcoming season. Unfortunately there will always be players who miss out in being selected to suit up with the "Seniors". It will burn - when you think you've done all you can at training and still missed out on a coveted spot. Use that pain and hunger to drive your performances in the reserves games. Because you can be damn sure that the coaches will be watching.

Last year there was one "recreational" game which will stick in my mind more than the rest. This "rec" game was not organised by the OAFL. It was an initiative between the OAFL's newest member the Quebec Saints and the Central Blues with the two sides facing off in Ottawa after the Blues defeated the Swans in Rnd 5 of the 2008 season.

Traitors (Jeff Lavoie & Jaye Macumber in their Quebec colours)

The history of Saints and the Blues are of course inextricably intertwined - with former Blues player Luke Anderson leading the way in the creation of this Quebec club and new Blues Coach Jaye Macumber along with player Jeff Lavoie being some of the Saints big names at the time of their creation. It was strange - even heart-wrenching to see the "Blues" players LA, Jmac and Jeff pulling off the Blues jumpers and replacing them with the Saints then-uniforms. It didn't seem right - these guys had only minutes earlier lined up and successfully went into battle for the glory of the Navy Blue jumper, but that was the scene.

Regardless once you cross that white line - friend or foe - the game is on and you take no prisoners. It was a tightly fought contest, with neither side willing to back down. In the end the fresher Saints overcame a last quarter stand by the Blues to win their first ever game (Full-Match report available HERE). The Blues had become the Saints first scalp albeit in a "friendly rec game". I don't remember the final score - but I can remember the sound of the Saints players singing victoriously. And I know I didn't like it. Sure the Blues squad had many players who were lining up for the second game in a row (after downing the Swans) - but that is bittersweet consolation. I for one do not enjoy accepting defeat - and especially one as historical as this match was.

In what looks set to become one of the OAFL's blockbuster rivalries, these two sides look to continue to wage the battle with two games (Rnd 6 & 10) up for grabs in 2009. That is why I am specifically pencilling in the Blues v Saints game in the Rnd 6 fixture in my calendar! I suggest if you're not lucky enough to be playing in this game - that you find yourself a prime seat to watch the spectacle set to unfold in this game. The Saints will be hungry to show their first up win against the Blues was no fluke, while the Blues have unfinished business to exact some sweet sweet revenge. Set aside the dates and make sure you're available, as there is nothing sweeter than beating a rival - and while I know that as much as the Blues will enjoy giving this Quebec side a good old fashion flogging, I also know that there'll be a few Fosters shared with each other post game.

2009 OAFL Season Games Schedule Released

2009-03-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

The 2009 OAFL Season fixture has been released. Here is the game schedule for the Central Blues Australian Football Club for the upcoming season.

Click on the schedule to see in full size.

Some highlights of the Blues 2009 Schedule include:

- Blues hosting 7 home games at their magnificent new homeground, Thornhill Park.
- Blues play former Blues player Luke Anderson's Montreal Saints twice in the new Reserves League competition in rounds 6 and 12.

Pre-Season Training News

2009-03-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Blues pre-season training has been progressing well. With excellent consistent turn outs, and the 2009 in-coming recruits showing tremendous promise.

This week, there will be an additional session held at the University of Toronto's Varsity Centre on Thursday 5th of March. The session will start at 10.30pm.

It is asked that players arrive around 10.00pm to allow time to get changed and warmed-up so the team can commence training straight away to maximise the time booked on the field.

Date & Time:
Thursday 5 March 2009 - 10.30pm (Please arrive from 10.00pm to be changed and warmed-up ready to start from 10.30pm)
Costs: $10 per player - FREE for 2009 recruits
Location:
University of Toronto Varsity Centre

The Varsity Centre is located at 299 Bloor St. West on the southeast corner of Bloor Street and Devonshire Place (one block west of Avenue Road/Queen’s Park) at the north end of the University of Toronto’s beautiful and historic downtown campus. The Centre is easily accessible by public transit, just steps away from the St. George and Museum subway stations.

Please contact the club at info@bluesafc.ca for any additional information.

BLUES SECURE NEW PARTNER SPONSOR - CANADIANFOREX

2009-02-04T14:10:00.001-08:00

The Central Blues Australian Football Club are proud to announce that CanadianForex, a subsidiary of OZFOREX have signed on to become a club sponsor.

As part of the new partnership between CanadianForex and the Blues; all players, members and fans who sign up for the services of CanadianForex will receive the discounted transfer fee of $12 per transaction (normally $15) when transferring funds overseas. Also waived is the CAD$2k minimum - so if you're ony transferring smaller amounts this service is still available to you! There is no fee for transfers of $10,000 or more. Currently there is also a promotion where for clients who register before the end of February 2009, they will have the fee waived for their first two transactions.

The club and CanadianForex look forward to building a long and successful relationship together.

Following is some information from the CanadianForex website.

About CanadianForex Foreign Exchange Services

CanadianForex Limited is the Canadian subsidiary of OzForex, Australia's largest online foreign exchange provider that operates dealing rooms in Sydney and London. Offering seamless 24 hour access to Corporate and Private Client Dealers, CanadianForex and OzForex complete over 60,000 funds transfers per year on behalf of Clients.

The company employs a blend of technology and tailored customer service to bring a better deal to smaller customers. CanadianForex uses the Internet and technology to provide 'on demand' information and dealing facilities, and focuses on delivering a 'high touch' approach to customer service which makes our service unique in the online financial services industry.

OzForex was launched in April 1998 to provide customers with better and more efficient foreign exchange services than offered by the banks. OzForex now operates in the Australian, UK and NZ markets and has become one of the world's leading online foreign exchange services, with over 300,000 visitors per month and more than 11,000 transacting customers globally.

CanadianForex's ever-growing client base includes small and medium-sized businesses that import and export goods, as well as migrants transferring financial assets, expatriates repatriating funds, and individuals investing overseas.

OzForex was recently officially recognised as one of Australia's fastest growing companies with a ranking of 6th place in the 2005 BRW Fast 100 awards. OzForex also received 5th place in the recent 2005 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards.

OzForex Pty Ltd holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) issued by ASIC to deal in foreign exchange. This licence can be viewed by following this link to the ASIC website: (AFS Licence number 226 484)
(Source: http://www.canadianforex.ca/about.htm)

For more information on how you to register and take advantage of this arrangement please contact Andy Han. You will need to ensure that you register using this specific link in order to received the special discount rate.

Message for all Blues Players

2009-02-02T14:27:00.001-08:00

Hi Guys,

Just a quick note to let you all know that Jmac has posted a new posting on the PLAYERS FORUM.

If you have not registered yet - it is highliy recommended that you do. As Jmac is will be using this forum moreso than sending out mass emails to people in getting his plans for season 2009 out while he is not in town.

Once you register - you will not be able to view the content straight away as your account will need to be activated.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers

2008 Highlights Video Released!!

2009-01-31T08:06:00.001-08:00

The blues have released their 2008 Highlights Video.

Creator of the video - Rob Chapman has advised that when viewing the video that you make sure to click on the HQ - High Quality option to see the video in all it's glory!! GREAT WORK Chaps!!

Blues Pre-Seaon Kicks Off

2009-01-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

If you had walked past the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School last night you may have mistaken the school with a jail, full of rioting inmates. As the echoes of players screaming for the ball eminated from the school gymnasium - one could feel almost feel the electricity in the air - as the Blues Football Club got into the first pre-season training session of the year, fittingly on Australia Day(26 January).

If the turn out was anything to go by, the Blues 2009 season looks to be an exciting one! 22 players (new and old) clocked in for a neat little 2 hour session. For the first time as Assistant Coach, Jason Cain ran proceedings leading the players through a relatively light session. Cain told Blues News that he "didnt want to flog them too early."

Blues News spoke with Club President Rob "Chaps" Chapman after the session. When asked about his thoughts on his club's first session of the year he had this to say "It was exciting to see 4 new faces at the training session. But it was difficult to pick them out during the drills, such was the ease with which they picked up the handball skills"

The session concluded with a quick game of hybrid basketball. We call it hybrid, as some of the players confused the roundball game with footy - some nifty travels were ignored. As for the basketball skills - let's just say that at least they're good at footy.

Blues 2009 Recruitment Poster

2009-01-21T07:02:00.001-08:00

TheToronto Central Blues Football CLub has released its recruitment poster for the 2009 season. Hopefully you'll start seeing these stuck up around town in the next couple of months.

Blues January Social Events

2009-01-14T14:16:00.001-08:00

Just because it's the off-season - it doesn't mean that the Blues Social Scene is off too. January 2009 is quickly shaping up to be a little ripper.

For starters there is the Australia Day celebrations. Where as usual the Central Blues will be looking to over-run the Etobicoke Roos Australia Day party. The next day following the Australia Day party - the Blues will be doing the next most Australian activity - getting together for a game of shinny... of course. Really this is just an ingenius way for the Canucks to have a crack at the Aussies - who will probably only be there as target practice for the locals.

And finally let's not forget that our indoor pre-season training kicks off on the Monday 26th 2009! For more details on how you can get involved with pre-season training and the club please contact Bruce Parker.

As per all Blues events - ALL are welcome - so bring along your friends, girlfriends, wives, sisters and brothers etc.

Event Details are as follows:

Blues Australia Day Celebrations:

Australia Day 'Roos Party
Venue: Philthy McNasty's - 276 King Street West (King & John)
Date & Time: Friday 23rd January 2009 - Anytime after 9pm
Notes: Hosted by the 'Roos, to be dominated by Blues players.

Blues Shinny Game:

Venue: The Thornhill Community Centre - 7755 Bayview (Bayview and John)
Date & Time: Saturday January 24 2009, 10 – 11pm
Notes: Cost will be $5 per player - with the club covering rental and insurance costs. The only equipment you would need would be a stick, skates, gloves and a helmet.

If you're interested in attending any of our events please contact our Social Director Dan Zimmerman ASAP.

Introducing the Central Blues 2009 Senior Head Coach - Jaye Macumber

2009-01-12T10:57:00.000-08:00

With Jason Cain stepping down at the end of the 2008 season, the Blues were quick to sign up his replacement in the form of the much respected Jaye Macumber.

Macumber has been with the Blues since 2006 as player - regularly commuting from Quebec to play his beloved sport. But it's fair to say that he has for a long time coveted an opportunity to test himself as a Senior Coach in the OAFL.

We at Blues News had the honour of sitting down and having a chat with the affable coach. Here's a little information about the new Blues Coach!

Macumber started his playing career as an 8-year old playing for Horsham in the Under 13s and 17s squads. Position-wise he played as a ruck-rover - but as most Aussies will recall during those early years, as a kid you played ALL the positions. Playing against older kids - meant Jmac's development was fast-tracked. As younger player you either adapted and survived or were simply taken out of the game to play kids your own age. Off the field the young Macumber had other passions which he believed further assisted his development as a player.

He took up Karate at the age of 12 and at the age of 15 received his black belt. The confidence gained by the karate training (coupled with his playing experience and skills) assisted Macumber in being signed on by the St. Michael's Football Club (in the Horsham District Football League) where he made his senior football debut as a 16-year old playing on the wing.

While his football experience developed in leaps and bounds, Macumber also maintained his commitment to his off-field love of karate. He received his first degree black belt (his teaching rank was Sempei) and started running his Horsham instructors’ second dojo in Warracknabeal as a 17 year old. This leadership position meant Macumber started to develop his teaching skills, and was the spark which ignited Macumber's passion to coach. During this time he started coaching the junior footballers at St. Michael's.

He then moved to Nhill to study his nursing degree and it was here that he played senior football in the Wimmera Football league. It was around this time he also sat and passed his level 1-3 AFL coaching courses.

Macumber's next move was to Adelaide in South Australia, where he played (predominantly on the ball) and coached in the Southern Football league with a club called the Marion Rams. Macumber learnt a lot from his first Marion Rams coach; Tony Burgess. Who was a former VFL player with the Collingwood Magpies, as well as a 200 game player with the West Adelaide footy club.

In 1999 he headed back to Victoria where he played (again predominantly as an in and under ruck rover) and assisted coaching with the Marnoo Football Club; in the Lexton Plaines League. The club folded at the end of the season and he headed home to play with his first club (St. Michael's); now called the Horsham Saints and in the Wimmera League.

The coach there at the time was Stewart Devlin a former top 10 (1990) draft pick of Geelong Cats player in the AFL. Macumber had plans to head over-seas in the middle of 2000; but Stewart urged him to play on the Half Back Flank for the first half of the year and mentor a young player to play his role before heading off on his travels. Macumber fulfilled the coach's wishes before taking part in the Aussie tradition of invading Europe.

In 2002 he returned to Australia and resumed playing as Ruck Rover/ Half Back Flanker with the Horsham Saints again and it was here that he broke his left shoulder; just before quarter time in round 5 of the home and away season. Macumber heroically came back on the ground in the last quarter and the side won the game by 2 points; but his season was seemingly “over” after the Collingwood club doctor in Melbourne advised him that he required a shoulder reconstruction. Macumber decided against the surgery and came back to play finals that year and re-broke his shoulder in the club's Semi Final loss.

In 2003 Macumber flew to Canada and landed in Quebec City, where he earned his ISSA personal trainers certificate. He has been in QC since and played 3 games with the Etobicoke Kangaroos between 2004-2006. His shoulder has still not been fixed and still popped out once or twice during those early games with the Roos. Macumber then started playing for the Central Blues when the club entered the league in 2006 commuting to Toronto regularly to play. In 2006 he began coaching the Quebec Patriotes Gaelic football team here in Quebec City. The club under the tutelage of Macumber has came a long way in 3 years. Now with this appointment as Senior Head Coach of the Central Blues, Macumber will be relocating to Toronto in April 2009. In the meantime he will be overseeing the pre-season training from QC, while his assistant coaches Jason Cain and Mark "Knackers" Dobson will run the pre-season training.

Over the course of Macumber's career he has played in 2 winning grand final teams and 2 losing grand final teams.

2009 shapes up to be a tremendous year for the club and all its members - and with the ever-excitable Macumber to steer the on-field-ship it's definitely going to be an exciting ride. The season could not come fast enough.

2009 Pre-Season Training Details

2009-01-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

2008 Blues Best & Fairest (Kien La) in full flight during the Semi-Final loss to the Hawks

The Blues have finalised their pre-season training schedules for the upcoming 2009 season. The information is as follows:

Venue:Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic School (444 Sherbourne Street, Toronto)

Days: Monday and Wednesday evenings 6.30pm - 8.30pm (the first session will be held Australia Day 26th January 2009)

Cost: $50 per Blues Player (FREE for guests of players / New 2009 recruits)

In addition 3 sessions will be held at the Varsity Dome at the University of Toronto grounds.

Emphasis of indoor sessions will be building player fitness levels and basic skills work (perfect for beginners new to the game).

We cannot emphasise enough the importance of the pre-season training. The indoor sessions are critical for players who want to ensure that their aerobic fitness is up to scratch once outdoor sessions start (when the ability to run out sessions is critical for effective training). These sessions also provide the opportunity for players to (re-)familiarise themselves with ball handling of the unique Australian ball.

It is no coincidence that the most consistent and effective players during the 2008 season were players who took part in the bulk if not ALL of the pre-season training sessions.

And players - don't forget to remind your training buddy about attendance!

Club AGM: Saturday 10 January 2009

2009-01-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

Hey Blues,

We will be having the Blues Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sat Jan 10th 2009 at 12pm.

As per previous years we ask that ALL Blues attend. This will be an info meeting that will recap what the Blues did in 08, and what we plan to do for 09. We will be briefly discussing all departments of the Club off and on the field, as well as revealing summarized results of the Annual Survey. We will be also electing for executive positions. Currently many of the present Blues executive will be re-running, but please let me know in advance if you are willing to step up to any positions (see below for Exec Positions).

The entire club will vote at the AGM. Also this gives an opportunity to anyone on the Blues to bring anything to the Club they wish to suggest for 2008.

If you have something you would like to present to the team or discuss at the AGM this is a great time to do it.

Jaye Macumber will also be in attendance to discuss the Blues coaching plan for 2009. Jaye will be addressing the club and also has a his group presentations which he highlighted in his past email.

I'll have more info as the time come closer.

See you then

Chaps

Exec positions:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Director of Sponsorship

Director of Fundraising

Director of Recruitment and Junior Development

Director of Social