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

You as a member of our great football club are invited (strongly suggested) to attend the AGM for 2012.  It will be held at Brownstone Tavern, on 18 December @ 10:15am SHARP, they are opening ahead of time just for us (normally don’t open til 11am).  That said we want to keep the meeting breif but have a lot to get through, as people starting coming in around 11am for the noon Bears kick off.

Find attached, the agenda, nomination form and proxy voting slip.  The proxy slip is for those of you that CANNOT make the meeting.  This is an extraordinary agenda item that we need your opinion on.  The proxy slip is self explanatory, however you need to submit on or before Friday 16 December for us to register and include your vote.  There are a lot of pro’s and con’s to this vote, and your opinion counts.  Remember this club is for us, not individuals, we need to do what is best for the club not next year but for the many years ahead.  In addition this is NOT about dissolving the history that the club is based, merely another chapter in the book.

Any queries/suggestions etc, forward to myself and/or Prez Poncho.  Unless I here from you, the current committee members are willing to stand another year, you may also nominate yourself for a position, remember it takes a lot of people to run a successful club, put your hand up if you want to be a part of it!

Chicago United – Agenda – 2011
CAFA_Proxy vote form_2011
CAFA committee selections – Nomination Form 2012

United head down to the USAFL Nationals this weekend in Austin, TX. Chicago will be competing in division 2 and have pool games against Boston, Austin and Portland.

Game 1 – vs Austin, Final result:  Austin 5.6.36 def Chicago 2.0.12
Goals:  Steve Cassity, Josh Edwards
Best: Hoyt, Deutz, Josh Edwards

Game 2 – vs Portland, Final result: A draw!! Chicago 4.2 26. Portland 4.2 26!
Goals: Hayes, Deutz, Fitzy and Sainty.
Best: Al, Crackers, Saint, Leibo and Fitzy.

Game 3 – vs Boston , Final result:  Boston 6.2.38 def Chicago 3.5.23
Goals:  Leibo, Jules, Steve

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