Footy and Book Event - Yep, With Pictures!

Here’s a picture of a footy ball the men used (the woman's ball was yellow for some strange reason). Don’t know if it’s really called a footy ball, but it’s the ball they use to play Australian Rules Football, or Footy.

Jillaroos are in pink. My daughter is on far left. Toronto
player on right has just kicked the ball down the field.

My daughter played Saturday against a team from Toronto. The Columbus Jillaroos only had four players, but Toronto (don’t know their name-my bad) had eight, so they rotated two players from Toronto to play on the Jillaroos each quarter. They also made the field quite a bit smaller. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. They lost 71-34 (yeah, these are high scoring games as well as fast-paced).

We stayed to watch the Jackaroos play, since it was soooo nice outside (the sunburn on my neck and face are evidence to that). They utilized quite a bit more players (something like 18 each) and the pace is almost like a hockey game - they’re all over the place and there isn’t much stoppage of play (no offsides or stuff like that!).

As you can see, they don’t wear any protective gear. And yes, they can tackle (it’s a pretty rough sport).

We left after the third quarter (ONLY because our friend was fixing us dinner and it was already 5pm) and the Jackaroos were dominating at 48-7. I’m assuming they won.

Out of the whole team, one player caught this romance writer’s eye. He warmed up WITHOUT his shirt (yeah, that’s one way to do it, unfortunately he was too far away for my camera, at least for me to be discreet--I know, I should have tried harder) and I swear, there wasn’t an ounce of flab on him. He didn’t look too shabby in uniform, either (that’s him on the left). As I watched the game, I noticed he never came out for a sub. He was a very good player, but then I heard him speak (yep, an Aussie), so I’m guessing he grew up playing the sport. Who knew there were so many of them in the Columbus area? Not me!

My daughter is passionate about this sport. At the end of this month she’ll be in San Francisco trying out for the USA team to play in Edmonton, Canada. One of the guys said Columbus wouldn’t even have a women’s team if it weren’t for her. I know she’s tried to get more women interested, but just hasn’t had any luck. She’s not giving up, though.

J J J

On Friday I attended the book signing of the anthology the Western Ohio Writers Association (WOWA) put together. There was a cake decorated with the cover (I did my part when they begged people to please eat the cake - yum) and 10 of the 11 authors were there to sign (I managed to buy a book that had the eleventh author’s--Liz Coley’s--signature, so I got EVERYONE).

 

From left: Tammy Newsom, LD Masterson, Lynda Sappington, Dennis L. Hitzeman,
Deanna Newsom, Michael Martin, and Philip A. Lee.

From left: Lynda Sappington, Dennis Hitzeman, Deanna Newsom (kind of hidden),
Gery Deer, Michael Martin, Philip A. Lee, Bill Bicknell, Arch Little II, and Kate Seegraves

 

Here's one showing the whole group attempting to cut the cake (our group can be quite the kidders, huh?).

And here’s one of me and LD Masterson.

 

It was an interesting night, but I had a date back home with my television and the second game of the Penguins (which my daughter was there to see). Unfortunately, they lost game two, but at least they won game three on Sunday. Next game is on Tuesday. They better get their act together or they’ll be going home soon, and I certainly don’t want that!! Go Pens!!!

So, did you get sunburned this weekend?

 

Stacy