Decked out with new guernseys generously funded by donations from our major sponsor, Sandy Lawrence at Dorsey Alston Realtors, the new women of the Atlanta Kookaburras traveled to Nashville on May 4th to join forces with the Chicago Swans to face down an experienced Nashville side. Shortly before game time and exercising their powers as Hosts, Nashville secured the experienced Swans players to their side, and our intrepid newcomers to the sport faced their first trial by fire.
The combined Nashville-Chicago team started the game high-scoring and did not relent. Backline players Shaunna Chamlee (playing her first ever game) and Megan Hils worked tirelessly to keep them at bay. Gin Nugent (first game) and Kelsey Teets (first game) made superb efforts in the forward line with Kelsey pulling down multiple contested marks. But the clear standout of all players on the ground (Nash-Chi included) was our own Madison Longchamp (first game). Standing at a gargantuan 5 ft 2 inches, Madison dominated the center of the ground all game. Only skilled, experienced kicks away from her could reduce her thundering effectiveness.
Goal Kickers: Madison Longchamp 1, Kelsey Teets 1
The score did not turn out in favor of the Kookaburras, but Madison, Kelsey, Shaunna, Megan and Gin improved tremendously quarter after quarter. There is much to work with, and they'll get better. The coaches expect to see a big improvement when they turn out for the Eastern Regionals in Raleigh, NC on June 15th.
Many thanks to the supporters, especially club luminary Sandy Lawrence, who made the trek to Nashville to cheer on our burgeoning women’s team. A thank-you also goes out to the members of our men’s team who made the drive to serve as coach’s and water runners. Sponsors, supporters and volunteers are an integral part of our club’s success.
The Atlanta Kookaburras kicked off their 2019 season with a solid home game win against long time rivals the North Carolina Tigers, taking the honors by 62 points. Playing a full scale game for the first time at NH Scott Park in Decatur, the Kookaburras hit the scoreboard early and never looked back.
With a mixture of past players returning and some new recruits the Kookaburras lead at every change and broke up the game in the third term with a 6 goals to 1 quarter. New players Seth Stokes & Tanguy Peres combined well with the returning George Huntzicker in the center and Chase Trujillo who was playing his first game back in two years.
Up forward Asst Coach Linley Laverdure helped himself to 4 goals from as many shots and was well supported by Tom Gultom and Chase Trujillo with 2 and 3 goals respectively. Holding steady in the backline were Club Captain Ryan Downey and his Vice Captain again Braden Medders who used their experience to thwart many NC Tigers attacks. The visiting team put up a valiant effort and kept the Kookaburras honest at every chance however fell short on the day.
The Kookaburras next game is their first trip up the road NW to Rome GA on May 11th to take on the Redbacks. A team they helped start last year and got beat twice for the effort, so some redemption we are sure is on the cards.
Atlanta 15 goals.10 behind. 100 points.
NC Tigers 5 goals 8 behinds 38 points
Goalkickers: Laverdure 4, Trujillo 3, Gultom 2, Huntzicker 2, Peres 2, Johnson & Ridenhour 1 each.
Best Players: Downey, Peres, Trujillo, Huntzicker, Medders, Stokes.
The Atlanta Kookaburras are very pleased to announce Linley Laverdure as the appointed 2019 Kookaburras Women's Head Coach with Wayne Kraska set to again take on the men's team coaching role this year.
Linley Laverdure who came to the USA on a college soccer scholarship has since settled into life in Atlanta and has been a regular on all parts of the field for the Kookaburras for several years. His accuracy and long kicking has made him a vital cog in the Kookaburras on field performances and the club wishes him well in the challenging role of heading up the resurgence of Women's Aussie Rules Football in Atlanta. Laverdure will also be the direct assistant coach to Kraska on the men's team as will Kraska be for Laverdure's women Kookaburras.
So yes, Wayne Kraska returns again as head coach of the men's team, with 17 years experience alone in USAFL games and over 450 games of playing and coaching in Australia and the USA, the club is in good hands again.
In addition to these appointments the club wishes to also announce the appointments of Jim Batten & Braden Medders as women's team skills and development assistants, for 2019 season. We welcome Jim & Braden's efforts and experience in ensuring the women's team is well prepared for their first games in Kookas colors in 9 years.
Practice for both teams starts this week March 16th at NH Scott Park 9.15am. Also midweek training sessions in Midtown and the Alpharetta/Cumming areas will begin the week after.
