The snow had barley melted in early 2008 when the Ottawa Swans would announce their new playing field and spectator facilities, Rideau Carleton Raceway would provide the infield and state of the art facilities to the club for 2008 to play all home games. The deal would enable the Swans to construct a full sized field and give both the Swans and visiting teams the use of change room facilities, a first for the OAFL.
On the field 2008 would prove a mixture of disappointment and joy for the Swans, the club would not win a game, however, would push several teams to the line. Guelph would accept the Swans offer to be the challenger to the Canada Day Cup (the Central Blues of their own accord decided not to continue with the tradition), Guelph would take the trophy and honours back down the 401 in 2008 and both clubs acknowledged a healthy rivalry was forming.
OAFL Awards night would be a major success for the club, Ryan Gregory, a 6 foot plus giant dominated one of the hardest positions on the field, playing all year in the ruck, rarely being beaten even by the OAFL's best. Ryan was rewared with the OAFL Rookie of the year award, a huge compliment to the big ruckman and a testament to the clubs on field development. Steve Spurrell and Yaser Abou Elenin would poll the most votes for the Swans in the League best and fairest.
The Swans own awards night was a 5 star event with a packed ballroom at the Redeau Carleton Raceway, Luke Walsh would narrowly beat Darren Roffey in the vote race to take out the Spurrell Medal for the Swans Best and Fairest player, named after Swans back flanker Steve Spurrell. Rich Keane and Steve Spurrell would also be named life members of the club.
With the end of the Swans first season in the OAFL, while not winning a game, the Swans where on the right track, President Ray Kaduck enlisted an entire non-playing committee (another OAFL first) and sought to strengthen the clubs off field presence in the Ottawa area.
Last Modified on 13/07/2011 18:35