Preseason training kicks off on Tuesday, March 6th.  Training will be held indoors during March then head outside from April onwards.  Keep an eye on the calendar and facebook for any changes and updates. Be there at 6:30pm for a 6:45pm start.  Bring along runners, water and $10 to cover the session (we’ll grab it before training).

Indoor training begins with a pre-season bootcamp at LA Boxing Wrigleyville/Lakeview (3215 N Broadway, Chicago, IL, 60657).

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At first, I bet Jason Wilhelm never imagined that after playing less than two years of footy (Australian Rules Football) that he would be motivated enough to move to Australia. For Jason (Aka “Pony Boy”), footy started out as a way to absorb some free time… simply “something to do”. This kid from Cleveland probably never realized by showing up to a random Tuesday training session, that not only would he come out loving the game of Footy; but that he would make as many friends as he did.

A latecomer to Australian Football with a background in swimming, Wilhelm joined the Chicago Australian Football Association in April of 2010 as the rookie ruckman for the Lincoln Square Tigers. He started to establish himself as one of the football league’s elite ruckmen with regular standout performances. It wasn’t much later that his appreciation of the club was noticed; playing in as many games as he could with as much involvement in the social activities as possible. For Jason, Chicago Footy was more than just a game. Cleveland is Jason’s home and he didn’t have many friends in Chicago before coming here. Winning the Runaway Train Award in 2011 doing so, he has attended almost every function that the club offered and now he can link most friends in Chicago to some Footy connection.

“Probably the single best decision I made was to listen to Billy Ulhman and come to training one lonely Tuesday”… – Jason.

Now, with his family and friends awaiting his return, he’s off to Australia to play Footy for 8 months. He has worked hard on his kicking action and believes getting some consistency in his technique will hold him in good stead for the future. So, why not learn in Australia?  Because of the Chicago club’s connections, Pony Boy has an opportunity to play for GinGin Eagles… spending the next 8 months petting kangaroos, watching cricket matches, eating Vegemite and playing footy.  We wish him all the luck in the world!

Jason (“Pony Boy”) showing off his going away cookies – Send Pony Boy to Oz Party

Jason Wilhelm with Coach Anthony Hendrie – Chicago Australian Rules Football Guernsey Presentation

A new year brings a new look to the Chicago Australian Football Association.  After some off-season discussions, the players have voted to align the club with the Sydney Swans.  The representative team will now be known as the Chicago Swans and will don the red and white for all MAAFL and USAFL matches.

The 2012 season kicks off with pre-season training on the 6th March (Tuesday evening).  Four indoor sessions before heading outside and preparing for a few early season clashes.  An road-trip to Kentucky for a tournament to kick off the season, then the blockbuster game against the New York Magpies at home in Chicago.

Time to dust off those runners, shake off those cobwebs and hit the treadmill to get back into shape for a historic season.