Given the number of Australians who call Whistler home, it was only a matter of time before their national sport made its way here.
Aussie Rules football may seem like a chaotic blend of basketball, soccer and rugby, but for Aussies it’s as much a religion as hockey is for Canadians.
The Hawks have traditionally been a Delta-based Aussie Rules club, but when they began struggling for numbers, the move to Whistler and broader Vancouver seemed a logical choice.
Hawks President Lew-Cooke said while the pivot to Whistler may have been to target homesick Australians, he said any Canadians who gave to sport a go would immediately fall in love with it.
“We already have about five players based in Whistler, with the remainder in Vancouver,” Lew-Cooke said.
“Whistler was a logical choice considering how many local Australians have former footy experience, but most clubs around the area are made up of majority Australian or Irish sides; however, we hope that the local Canadians, or anybody in Whistler, will get on board and give it a go, too.”
Aussie Rules is now being played in seven provinces, with Canadians making up the bulk or participants. The best of these go on to play for the national teams every three years in Australia and annually against the United States.
Lew-Cooke said there were many reasons Aussie Rules was becoming so popular in the Great White North.
“It’s a dynamic fast paced sport requiring athleticism, skill and teamwork. Everybody who has played sport before has a skill they can bring,” he said.
“It’s also relatively cheap. A mouthguard and cleats is all you need.
“But most importantly, it’s a very social sport. What happens outside of practice and games is just as important as what happens on the field.”
Lew-Cooke also said the club was looking for a coach for the 2018 season.
If you would like to try Aussie Rules with the Vancouver-Whistler Hawks, then please contact the team at vancouverhawksafc@gmail.com or on Facebook @Vancouver - Whistler Hawks Australian Rules Football Club