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| Ottawa Swans | |
|---|---|
| Names | |
| Full name | Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | Swans, Swannies, Bloods |
| 2024 season | |
| Club details | |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Colours | Red and White |
| President | Rob Harbic |
| Coach | Yaser (Women's+) James Clock (Men) |
| Premierships | 2014(W - AFLO) 2015(W - AFLQ) 2016(W - AFLQ) 2018(M - AFLO) 2019(M - AFLO) 2024(W - AFLO) |
| Ground(s) | Manotick Polo Club/Bloods Park |
| Other information | |
| Official website | www.ottawaswans.com Swans Instagram |
The Ottawa Swans are an Australian rules football club based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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The club is notable as being the first and currently only Australian rules football club to represent the city of Ottawa.
The Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club played 3 exhibition games in 2007 before becoming a not-for-profit society in 2008. It entered the AFL Ontario (OAFL) as a member team in 2008, playing home games on a pitch built in the infield of the Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa's south end.
The inaugural team of the Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club was led on the field by captain Steve Spurrell and coached by Richard Keane, who also played in the majority of games.
The Swans' first victory (as part of the Ontario Australian Football League) occurred on 11 July 2009 in the 3rd annual Canada Day Cup. The Swans defeated the Guelph Gargoyles 13.8.86 to 3.7.25 at the Rideau Carleton Raceway. It took the Swans 20 games to get their first win (13 losses in the first season and 6 in the second).
The Swans posted their first away victory in round 10 of the 2009 season against the High Park Demons at Humber College North. The final score was 12.6.78 to 3.7.25 .
2012 saw the introduction of the women's team, finishing a very successful inaugural season in 2nd spot [1] after the home and away season and 3rd overall after being defeated by the Hamilton Wildcats in the second week of finals. [2]
The Swans' Men's first finals (post-season) berth occurred in season 2013 after finishing the season in 5th spot. [3] They were defeated in the first round Elimination Final by the Toronto Rebels 5.10-40 to 1.9-15 [4]
In season 2014, the Swans women's squad won the first premiership in the club's history, defeating the Hamilton Wildcats in the Grand Final 7.9.51 to 2.2.14. [5]
For the 2015 season the Women's team joined AFL Quebec, a 9-a-side competition, and split their team in two, competing as the Carleton Warriors and Rideau Shamrocks. The Men's team remained in AFL Ontario. The Carleton Warriors went on the win back to back Premierships in 2015 & 2016.
2018 saw the Ottawa Swans Men's team win their maiden premiership. This was due to the leadership of "Rocket" Frank, Nathan Strom and Matt Powell who were instrumental in building a competitive culture and recruiting Canadian players. After a perfect season having won all 12 regular season games, the Swans won all three finals including the Grand Final over the 2017 premiers the Toronto Eagles at Humber College South 10.10 70 - 6.5 41. [6] The Women's side fought hard all season in their return to the AFLO. They took the battle to the Roos in the Grand Final, but lost.
In 2019, the Ottawa Swans Men's team continued to find success, winning all their regular season games and final matches en route to hard-fought victory against the Hamilton Wildcats to claim back to back Premierships. [7] The Women's team put together an impressive regular season with only one loss but were not able to replicate their finals magic.
In 2020/2021, the AFL Ontario season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, the Pony Platter, a preseason exhibition tournament, expanded further to include the New York Magpies, Boston Demons, High Park Demons, and Edmonton AFC in addition to the Quebec Saints and Nova Scotia Pirates. This expansion also led to the introduction of a second playing field. The Swans introduced a new Indigenous jersey in collaboration with Kanyen’keha Artist Kory Parkin, which was unveiled at their Home Opener on June 8, 2024, during their designated Indigenous Round. A Pre-Game ceremony was held with a land acknowledgement and song from Mr. Greg Meekis, an Ojibway Cree from Sandy Lake First Nation, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Resource Coordinator with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, following by Anishinabe Hoop dancer Mekhena performing. [8] [9]
The Women's+ side finished the season with an undefeated record, the first in the AFLO comp since 2015. The Swans would defeat the Hamilton Wildcats in the Grand Final.
