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

Australia Day (January 26th) is rapidly approaching. There are a few activities planned to help celebrate the day Capt Arthur Phillip landed at Port Jackson in 1788, lit up his barbie.. cracked open a tinnie and gave birth to the land now known as Australia.

The CAFA will not be throwing an Aussie Day event, but check and discuss on facebook and twitter for any informal gatherings.

The Aussie Consulate’s “G’Day USA Australia Day Ball” will be held on the 28th January. For registration and details visit the consulate’s events page at http://www.usa.embassy.gov.au/whwh/ChicagoEvents.html

The 2011 AFL Grand Final Party held at Brownstone Tavern on Friday September 30th was a resounding success. A couple of hundred people watched Geelong knock off Collingwood to win the 2011 AFL Premiership. Thanks to all for attending and to Brownstone for hosting!

The winners of the Qantas CAFA raffle were:
5th Place – Case of Oxford Landing Wine – Steve Cassity
4th Place – $200 – Anthony Hendrie
3rd Place – $300 – Marty Labelle
2nd Place – $500 – John Simon
1st Place – 2 round trip tickets to Australia courtesy of QANTAS – Josh Edwards