Competitive League Football

[Lightning Flik 0]

Anyways, so this week is getting really fucking strange. From new job interview (directive services, 411), to seeing a theft in progress, to my latest weirdness.

 

On Wednesday, I was on my break during work and heard a fellow co-worker, Adam, talking about that he decided on a name, Cavaliers. Of course, I'm curious about what he was calling Cavaliers, and it turns out that he was talking about the football team that he was putting together for the Alberta Football League (AFL is comprised of some people who've never played, mostly high school players, and ex-professionals; it is also a full contact league) this season.

 

Intrigued I talked to him more about it, and apparently he's got the team mostly set up together 30 (minimum of 30 to start a team, for the first season). Just needs to get the minor details worked out, but it was all set. I chuckled saying that I had used to play Rugby and if I had known, I'd might've given it a shot at playing. I was pretty good at catching, dodging and all that stuff needed for a runningback/wide receiver and it isn't like I've got a life or something.

 

He shrugged and told me that if I wanted to, I could join. I laughed and told him that the Cavaliers probably are mostly guys who've played before. He told me that since it was only a 30 man roster, there was still spots I could play if I wanted. Besides, most of the Cavaliers haven't played competitive football before, so me joining wouldn't be a problem.

 

Of course, I shot off "Sure! I'll sign up", before my brain went "think logically of all the bad reasons why you can't do this", so after I had agreed, brain goes "are you fucking nuts?"

 

So I try to naturally back out of it due to I can't afford this. Sadly, that wasn't really my true excuse (although, I'm trying to figure out how I can), I just didn't really think about the fact that I haven't played a game of any type in over three years due to health related issue. So I'm pretty much a bag of gas when it comes to endurance, strength, and durability.

 

Now, then, as you might've guessed since I'm posting this up, I am still going to go through with this (if I can, I'm still not sure if I can get enough money). I'm also posting this because I'd like to ask for any sports person (or anyone with football experience) to relay any tips (diet wise, workouts, etc.) or that so I at least stand a chance.

 

If everything goes ok, and that, I promise to continually give updates on how we are doing, what's going on, stuff like that.

 

Also I'm quite sorry if this is more of a General Chat sort of topic, but since this is about competitive football and this is Sports related, I figured to place it here to be more topical place to put this.

[Matt Young 0]

How much does this cost? I was wondering because you say money's an issue... But if it's not too expensive, you might as well try it and see if you like it. Personally, it sounds ridiculously fun to me. When the weather's warm, I love playing full contact, no pads pickup games with my friends. I'm surprisingly hard to tackle for a smaller guy, too, heh. But back to the point, this sounds like something that would be kind of like a pickup game type league, but a step up. I'd like to hear more. Can you give details, such as how the league is organized, where you'll be playing, etc.? Hell, I wonder if they have anything like this around here in SoCal... I'd love to participate in a league like this.

 

EDIT: Is this the same league you're referring to? http://www.eteamz.com/albertafootballleague/

[Mole 0]

I'd say go for it.

 

Well, how much do you weigh?

[Conspiracy_Victim 0]

Semi-pro football's fun stuff. I've done it for 5 years now and although it's hard sometimes, I still love to play. The cost can be prohibitive, but a lot of it is one time costs (pads, uniforms, etc.). Depending on how upscale the team and league are, you may have to travel on your own hook, which can lead to a bit of wear and tear on your vehicle.

 

All in all though the comradeship, the competitiveness, and the fun makes it worth it.

 

BTW in a shameless bit of self-promotion (OK, not TOTALLY self-) check out my team's website right here.

[Damaramu 0]

Damn I wish I could do that in Oklahoma. I hit a road block on my Sooner quest when they said "Physically you hold up.....but you just don't have the experience required." NOOO! Damn I wish they had that around these parts.

[Lightning Flik 0]

How much does this cost?  I was wondering because you say money's an issue... But if it's not too expensive, you might as well try it and see if you like it.  Personally, it sounds ridiculously fun to me.  When the weather's warm, I love playing full contact, no pads pickup games with my friends.  I'm surprisingly hard to tackle for a smaller guy, too, heh.  But back to the point, this sounds like something that would be kind of like a pickup game type league, but a step up.  I'd like to hear more.  Can you give details, such as how the league is organized, where you'll be playing, etc.?  Hell, I wonder if they have anything like this around here in SoCal... I'd love to participate in a league like this.

 

EDIT: Is this the same league you're referring to? http://www.eteamz.com/albertafootballleague/

Yes, that is the same league. You can go from there to compete for the National Championships, apparently.

 

You found that league pretty damn fast didn't you?

 

Also, Adam said that some of the guys from AFL have gone on to play for the CFL. I'd love that, but it'd be doubtful I'd get that lucky. But it is a Semi-Pro league. You just don't get paid to play.

 

I'd say go for it.

 

Well, how much do you weigh?

I'm five feet eight and a half inchies. I'm one hundred and sixty pounds. So I'm kinda skinny... Ok, I'm just skinny scary.

 

Semi-pro football's fun stuff.  I've done it for 5 years now and although it's hard sometimes, I still love to play.  The cost can be prohibitive, but a lot of it is one time costs (pads, uniforms, etc.).  Depending on how upscale the team and league are, you may have to travel on your own hook, which can lead to a bit of wear and tear on your vehicle. 

 

All in all though the comradeship, the competitiveness, and the fun makes it worth it.

 

BTW in a shameless bit of self-promotion (OK, not TOTALLY self-) check out my team's website right here.

It's pretty upscale. As I said previously, this is a league that does compete for National Championships... Hell, the National Championship Team, the Calgary Wolfpack are in this league. Shit, the Wolfpack have owned the league, winning the Alberta Championship nine times in the eighteen year history of the league.

 

Well, Adam's getting a fee of 25 dollars from each player to raise up 6000 dollars to pay for travel, refs, field time, and that. So I don't think travel will be a problem, and even if it is, I think we'll just get in a van or something and do a road trip.

 

There's an additional 200 dollars to be paid for your helm, game jersey, game pants, and a team jacket.

 

Then there's the costs of the training gear and those one time costs. I'm not sure about those, as I haven't gone and checked it out. I'm going to find out here soon at the local Sports Chek and see how much this is going to whip my wallet.

 

Although, I've been told by Adam, that as long as I sign up and I don't have the cash to buy the gear right away, I can join in true play at a later date. As long as I play two games, I'm officially there.

 

Damn I wish I could do that in Oklahoma. I hit a road block on my Sooner quest when they said "Physically you hold up.....but you just don't have the experience required." NOOO! Damn I wish they had that around these parts.

Actually Damararu...

 

Oklahoma Football League

 

You do have one apparently. Since you are in Oklahoma, I'd suggest Okla City Fire. Might be a way to show OU that you ARE worth having around. I'd suggest also talking to the commish to help that out.

 

...I like your Semi-Pro League's site more than my own's.

[Damaramu 0]

Oh sweet. But they wouldn't want me to play since I've been out of the game for so long.....would they?

[Lightning Flik 0]

Oh sweet. But they wouldn't want me to play since I've been out of the game for so long.....would they?

It's Semi-Pro.

 

Hell, if I can get in without playing a single competitive football game, I'm quite sure they'd like someone with background in the game.

[Damaramu 0]

Well I can't find any information about how to join on here. I'd assume since they've already started practices and scrimmages I could try for next year but I don't see anything.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Well I can't find any information about how to join on here. I'd assume since they've already started practices and scrimmages I could try for next year but I don't see anything.

Why not call the Interim Commish and ask about the league itself?

 

Might be your best bet. Or drop a line on the message board, might be a way to go too.

[Damaramu 0]

Well I wrote a lengthy thing on the Message Board. Hopefully someone responds.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Since kickoff is March 3rd, you might be late for this season, but heck, at least go through with it. You never know.

[Damaramu 0]

Since kickoff is March 3rd, you might be late for this season, but heck, at least go through with it. You never know.

No I don't want to do it this season. I want to get into better shape. I mean I want to be in great shape so that I don't embarass myself at practice or anything like that or puke on the field because I've run to much.

I think an extra year of hardcore gym time will help.

Plus I was invited by the Sooners to attend all of their practices if I so desire. Which means I can watch that and determine what kind of drills I should run through on my own.

I know that was weird that I got invited to watch practice. Coach Johnson said "If you want to try next year you're welcome to. And if you want to you can attend all of our practices. If it's closed don't worry I'll let you in and you can observe."

Cool.

[Lightning Flik 0]

He wants you there. He's disappointed that he can't have you, because he probably sees your potential and is just going "dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit (repeatedly)... Why the hell does this kid show up NOW? I wish I could've had him from day one and then we'd have a serious wonder here."

 

No, I'm not kidding. If the guy is letting you attend practices, he wants you there and sees you have the makings of something worthwhile. It was actually how I ended up on the Rugby team, I attended a practice or two to help out the Coach, but wound up on the team and was our team's best player (I can back that up when I scored half our team's points in one touranment).

 

So just keep at it, and you'll probably be there on the starting team next year Dama.

[Guest ToddRoyal]

If he's letting you attend practices, attend EVERY practice. Don't miss any, show up early if you want. Show him you WANT to be there and you're willing to do everything you can to get there.

 

If you do this and continue to improve physically, I bet your chances will be real good next year.

 

Good luck.

[Damaramu 0]

Well the OKC Fire GM sent me an email telling me to come out and play for his team this season.

Problem is that my parents are saying I don't have the time and I owe them to much money and this is on such short notice that I should wait for next season.

Funny thing is.....I agree.

Funnier thing is......they had no problem with me playing for the Sooners this year.

[Damaramu 0]

Well I talked to the Coach of the OKC Fire. He wants me to come out today and watch the practice and see what it's like. I'm going to do it and see what I can do.

[Damaramu 0]

Well I'm now a member of the Oklahoma City Fire. Whoo. I finally get to play football.

I don't know what position I play until the scrimmage on Saturday.

I'm just happy I can play football.