Ontario Australian Football League
Encyclopedia
The Ontario Australian Football League is the largest Australian Football league in North America. It is currently composed of teams from the Greater Toronto Area
, Southwestern Ontario
and the National Capital Region
, who play off for the Conacher Cup (named after Lionel Conacher
), presently awarded to the winner of the annual OAFL Grand Final
.
In 2009 the OAFL established a second tier competition known as OAFL Division 2. The teams in this division compete for the Mike Pyke Cup (named after Mike Pyke
) the first Canadian to play in the AFL
.
The OAFL, along with the North West Pacific Football League
is a member of AFL Canada
, the governing body for the sport in Canada.
In 2006, the OAFL had around 330 senior players consisting of over 170 Canadian nationals.
A number of the founding members of the origninal competition included: Kingsley Ellis (ex-Fitzroy VFL - lead central Umpire, founder of the Hamilton Tigers), Terence Wallis (founded & coached the Mississauga then Toronto Dingos), Bill Frampton (Mississauga then founded the Brampton Bulldogs), Sandro Mancino (Toronto Eagles, Scarborough Rebels and then founded the Balmy Beach Saints). These pioneers set the foundation for the current competition. Also during the early years CAFA played a number of International games against visiting teams from Australia (Balmain FC, Golden Oldies touring team) as well as the team representing the Australian Rules league in England. The Canadian team narrowly missed beating the touring Australian teams over the years, but soundly defeated England on the four occasions that it played them (1990 - 1996) culminating in a strong win by the touring Canadian team in London (1996).
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
, Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario is a subregion of Southern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario, centred on the city of London. It extends north to south from the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron to the Lake Erie shoreline, and east to south-west roughly from Guelph to Windsor. The region had a population...
and the National Capital Region
National Capital Region (Canada)
The National Capital Region, also referred to as Canada's Capital Region, is an official federal designation for the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario, the neighbouring city of Gatineau, Quebec, and surrounding urban and rural communities....
, who play off for the Conacher Cup (named after Lionel Conacher
Lionel Conacher
Lionel Pretoria Conacher, MP , nicknamed "The Big Train", was a Canadian athlete and politician. Voted the country's top athlete of the first half of the 20th century, he won championships in numerous sports. His first passion was football; he was a member of the 1921 Grey Cup champion Toronto...
), presently awarded to the winner of the annual OAFL Grand Final
Grand Final
Grand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
.
In 2009 the OAFL established a second tier competition known as OAFL Division 2. The teams in this division compete for the Mike Pyke Cup (named after Mike Pyke
Mike Pyke
Michael Anthony Patrick Pyke is a Canadian dual-code football player.He is best known in his homeland as a rugby union player, who played for Canada's national side and French Top 14 squad US Montauban.Pyke is currently a professional Australian rules footballer with the Sydney Swans.-Early...
) the first Canadian to play in the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
The OAFL, along with the North West Pacific Football League
North West Pacific Football League
The North West Pacific Football League is an Australian rules football competition with teams from both Canada and the United States.It was formed by the Seattle Cats and Vancouver Cougars in 2001, the league is the main home-and-away competition in the US states of Washington and Oregon, and the...
is a member of AFL Canada
AFL Canada
AFL Canada is the governing body for men's and women's Australian rules football in Canada....
, the governing body for the sport in Canada.
In 2006, the OAFL had around 330 senior players consisting of over 170 Canadian nationals.
History
The league began as the Canadian Australian Football Association in May 1989. Two teams were formed that year - the Mississauga Mustangs and the Toronto Panthers, with a draft of interested players prior to a three game season and Grand Final. The coaches of those inaugural teams - John Pearson (Toronto Panthers) and Terence Wallis (Mississauga Mustangs) brought a significant amount of experience from playing at a high level in Australia. An interesting fact is that the first Grand Final was attended by a number of AFL executives including Ron Barrassi and members of the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne Demons.A number of the founding members of the origninal competition included: Kingsley Ellis (ex-Fitzroy VFL - lead central Umpire, founder of the Hamilton Tigers), Terence Wallis (founded & coached the Mississauga then Toronto Dingos), Bill Frampton (Mississauga then founded the Brampton Bulldogs), Sandro Mancino (Toronto Eagles, Scarborough Rebels and then founded the Balmy Beach Saints). These pioneers set the foundation for the current competition. Also during the early years CAFA played a number of International games against visiting teams from Australia (Balmain FC, Golden Oldies touring team) as well as the team representing the Australian Rules league in England. The Canadian team narrowly missed beating the touring Australian teams over the years, but soundly defeated England on the four occasions that it played them (1990 - 1996) culminating in a strong win by the touring Canadian team in London (1996).
Premiers
| Year | Premier | Runner-up | Division 2 Premier | Division 2 Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Toronto Panthers Toronto Eagles The Toronto Eagles Australian Football Club is an amateur Australian rules football club competing in the Ontario Australian Football League.... |
Mississauga Mustangs Mississauga Demons The High Park Demons are an amateur Australian rules football club based in Toronto, Canada.-History:... |
||
| 1990 | Toronto Panthers | Mississauga Mustangs | ||
| 1991 | Toronto Panthers | Scarborough Rebels | ||
| 1992 | Scarborough Rebels | Mississauga Mustangs | ||
| 1993 | Lawrence Park Rebels | Toronto Panthers | ||
| 1994 | Mississauga Mustangs | Lawrence Park Rebels | ||
| 1995 | Toronto Eagles | Broadview Hawks Broadview Hawks The Broadview Hawks is an Australian rules football club based in the Broadview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The club has made Grand Final appearances in 1996, 1999 and 2006.-History:... |
||
| 1996 | Toronto Eagles | Hamilton Wildcats | ||
| 1997 | Toronto Eagles | Lawrence Park Rebels | ||
| 1998 | Toronto Eagles | Lawrence Park Rebels | ||
| 1999 | Toronto Eagles | Broadview Hawks | ||
| 2000 | Toronto Dingos | Toronto Eagles | ||
| 2001 | Lakeshore Rebels | Toronto Eagles | ||
| 2002 | Toronto Eagles | Toronto Dingos | ||
| 2003 | Toronto Dingos | Etobicoke Kangaroos Etobicoke Kangaroos The Etobicoke Kangaroos are an amateur Australian Football club based in Etobicoke, Canada. They are members of the Ontario Australian Football League.... |
||
| 2004 | Toronto Dingos | Toronto Eagles | ||
| 2005 | Toronto Dingos | Lakeshore Rebels | ||
| 2006 | Toronto Eagles | Broadview Hawks | ||
| 2007 | Toronto Eagles | Etobicoke Kangaroos | ||
| 2008 | Etobicoke Kangaroos | Toronto Eagles | ||
| 2009 | Toronto Eagles | Etobicoke Kangaroos | Quebec Saints Quebec Saints The Québec Saints are an Australian rules football club based in Montréal, Canada.-History:Founded by Luke Anderson in early 2008 the Québec Saints joined the Ontario AFL's 'Rec Footy' program the same year competing against the Central Blues and Broadview Hawks reserve squads.In late 2008 the... |
Broadview Hawks |
| 2010 | Toronto Central Blues Central Blues The Central Blues are an Australian rules football club based in Toronto, Canada.-History:The club was founded in 2005 by ex Guelph Gargoyles players Bruce Parker and Rob Chapman.... |
Toronto Dingos | Quebec Saints | Toronto Central Blues |
| 2011 | Etobicoke Kangaroos | High Park Demons | Etobicoke Kangaroos | Broadview Hawks |
Current Clubs
| Club | City | Website | Formed | Premierships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadview Hawks Broadview Hawks The Broadview Hawks is an Australian rules football club based in the Broadview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The club has made Grand Final appearances in 1996, 1999 and 2006.-History:... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
broadviewhawks.com | 1989 | |
| Central Blues Central Blues The Central Blues are an Australian rules football club based in Toronto, Canada.-History:The club was founded in 2005 by ex Guelph Gargoyles players Bruce Parker and Rob Chapman.... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
bluesafc.ca | 2006 | 1 |
| Etobicoke Kangaroos Etobicoke Kangaroos The Etobicoke Kangaroos are an amateur Australian Football club based in Etobicoke, Canada. They are members of the Ontario Australian Football League.... |
Etobicoke | roosafc.ca | 2003 | 1 |
| Guelph Gargoyles Guelph Gargoyles The Gargoyles are an amateur Australian rules football club based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.They are the only Aussie Rules club to represent the Guelph area... |
Guelph Guelph Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city... |
guelphgargoylesafc.com | 2001 | |
| Hamilton Wildcats Hamilton Wildcats Formed in 1990, the Hamilton Wildcats are a member club of the Ontario Australian Football League . Currently the Wildcats boast a playing membership of some 32 players who are drawn to the unique game of Australian rules football from many regions of southern Ontario, Canada... |
Hamilton Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe... |
hamiltonwildcatsafc.com | 1997 | |
| High Park Demons | Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
highparkdemons.com | 1989 | 1 |
| Ottawa Swans Ottawa Swans The Ottawa Swans are an Australian rules football club based in Ottawa, Canada.The club is notable as being the first and currently only Australian rules football club to represent the city of Ottawa.... |
Ottawa Ottawa Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario... |
ottawaswans.com | 2007 | |
| Toronto Downtown Dingos Toronto Downtown Dingos -History:The Toronto Downtown Dingos were formed in February 1996. Mark Jones, an accomplished travelling Australian footballer, had the idea to form an eighth team in the then Canadian Australian Football Association.... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
torontodingos.ca | 1996 | 4 |
| Toronto Eagles Toronto Eagles The Toronto Eagles Australian Football Club is an amateur Australian rules football club competing in the Ontario Australian Football League.... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
eaglesafc.com | 1989 | 12 |
| Toronto Rebels Toronto Rebels The Toronto Rebels Australian Football Club are an amateur Australian rules football club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The Toronto Rebels are one of the oldest and most accomplished teams in Canadian Australian Football... |
Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
rebelsfooty.com | 1990 | 3 |
Past Clubs
| Club | Cities |
|---|---|
| London Magpies (2003-2005) | London London, Ontario London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city... |
| Windsor Mariners (2002-2005) | Windsor Windsor, Ontario Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor... |
| Brampton Wolverines (1993-1999) | Brampton Brampton Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.Brampton may also refer to:- Canada :* Brampton, a city in Ontario** Brampton GO Station, a station in the GO Transit network located in the city- United Kingdom :... |
| Balmy Beach Saints (1992-1997) | Toronto Toronto Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from... |
Principal Venues
- Margaret Green Park, Guelph - Home of the Guelph Gargoyles
- Mohawk Sports ParkMohawk Sports ParkMohawk Sports Park, is a large park on the east mountain of Hamilton, Ontario, 1100 Mohawk Road East, with a number of sporting facilities including Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium and the Mohawk 4 Ice Centre, . Also known as Commonwealth Park and Upper King's Forest Park....
, Hamilton - Home of the Hamilton Wildcats - Rideau Carleton RacewayRideau Carleton RacewayRideau Carleton Raceway is a Canadian horse racing and gambling complex located at Ottawa, Ontario. The facility began operation in 1962 and specialises in standardbred harness racing....
, Ottawa - Home of the Ottawa Swans - Humber College North, Toronto - Home of Toronto Dingos, High Park Demons, Toronto Eagles, Toronto Rebels and Central Blues
- Humber College South, Toronto - Home of the Kangaroos
- University of Toronto ScarboroughUniversity of Toronto ScarboroughThe University of Toronto Scarborough is a satellite campus of the University of Toronto. Based in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the campus is set upon suburban parkland in the residential neighbourhood of Highland Creek...
, Toronto - Home of the Broadview Hawks
See also
- AFL CanadaAFL CanadaAFL Canada is the governing body for men's and women's Australian rules football in Canada....
- Australian Football in Canada
- North West Pacific Australian Football League
- US Footy
- AFANA
- List of Australian rules football leagues outside Australia