Ellie Brush signs up

Canberra United Captain Ellie Brush became Canberra A-League Foundation Member 846 yesterday. You too can support the push, and, if you haven't already, sign up at http://www.a-league4canberra.com.au/site/current.php

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Canberra Football Players/Parents vision

You would think if you play Premier League/ Reserve/Pathway football and ACTAS, Capital Football Academy that you are very into your football and the development of the game and opportunities of the game in Canberra.

Training and playing what 3 or 4 nights a week. That's commitment isn't it?

Well how come all the Coaches and Players in those Clubs haven't signed up as a Foundation Member? How come Ivan Slavich has to address those players/coaches/parents.

You'd think they'd seize the opportunity. Maybe they will, but when?

Talking to some of the Senior Players/Coaches in town it's amazing me to see they haven't signed up as Foundation Members yet.

They haven't grabbed this once in a lifetime opportunity to make football the number one code in this city.

"Do you want to play in an A-League Youth side?" I ask of many players.

"Yes," comes the response from a group of Senior players this week, and indeed many weeks.

"Would you like to play A-League football."

"Yes," comes the response.

So how come Capital Football are out organising Academies, ACTAS are doing their bit. Presumably these organisations are doing this for the future of the players they operate with. And all these players presumably want to play at a higher level....what in Gosford, or Bradford!

All these players are presumably aiming for a higher level of football. And surely one of the best ways they can provide a better chance for themselves, apart from more training, is if we have a team in Canberra.

All the Premier League and Reserve/Pathway players are yet to sign-up or their parents on their behalf. I kid you not.

All the Academy parents you would think would be securing a membership.

They are the best players in Canberra. Some at the Grand Final breakfast looked at me like I was from another planet.

"I'm trying to organise a team, get people signed up as Foundation Memberships for a team I can never play in. And you guys can sit here and do nothing. Not even take out a Membership," I said.

Someone mentioned the idea if you aren't a Foundation Member you can't get to play in the team. Now that is not a good idea but it would serve the players right wouldn't it.

So come on Canberra seal the deal, join up asap. Imagine the momentum if the players and parents take the next step and get us to 5000 Memberships ASAP.

What's the alternative?

Hope everyone's favourite Scotsman Lawrie McKinna might take ONE Canberra player to the Mariners every year.

Give me a break. A Canberra team could take 15 youth players per year and give them a go. Isn't $200 cheaper than a weeks trial in Gosford!

And yes if we fail the money is held in trust and you get your money back.

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Canberra FC keeper signs on...and Grand Final Predictions

Canberra FC Premier League Grand Final keeper Nathan Denham meets A-League Bid Leader Ivan Slavich at this mornings Grand Final Breakfast.

Denham hopes to win on Sunday but he would also love to see an A-League team in Canberra.

Nathan signed up as a Foundation Member believing the Club would provide opportunities for many young Canberrans for years to come.

With Corporate Memberships about to start there is still a little time to get a Foundation Membership below 1,000.

Grand Final previews below.

Canberra FC take on Belconnen in the Men's Grand Final preceded by Weston Creek v Belwest in the Women's.

Who will win?

In the men's everything points to a Canberra FC victory.

But wily Belconnen Coach Steve Forshaw, although knowing they've lost "175 out of 175 of the last meetings between the two sides," still believes they can do it.

Canberra FC Coach Ivan Grucic has an air of confidence. A man who knows he has the best team in the league.

Nathan Denham expects a tough game. But you sense Canberra FC expect to win. Maybe they will.

If it's anything like last years game expect a cracker. And a Grand Final is a one-off

I'm going for the underdog. Home ground advantage Belconnen to sneak a win.

In the Women's game.

Weston Creek missed out on penalties last year in a game lacking goal mouth action.

However ace striker Luisa Marzotta is in goals this year and with Jenny Brew leading the side they sense a win. Particularly given their amazing defensive record this year.

"We've lost 6 or 7 of our last finals," said Captain Brew this morning. You sensed despite the great season this thought lingered.

And unlike most Grand Finalists I've ever known the Weston Creek team are going to support some of their other teams in their Grand Finals earlier in the day at different grounds. Fantastic effort.

Belwest Captain Vanessa Burdett believes her team will win.

"We felt so bad after missing out last year there was no way Canberra City would beat us in the semi." And they didn't Belwest won 5-0.

So tight defence against a team who believe it is their destiny to win.

My prediction:

For what it's worth Weston Creek may take this one out, but Vanessa Burdett's team will fight to the death. Should be a tense enconter.

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Member 364 from Brazil, 360 from Melbourne

From Melbourne Victory to Brazil. They are signing up for Canberra football. Here's why.

Werner Kraus is Brazilian, a former Canberra ANU PHD student around about ten years ago, has fond memories of playing Purple Shins, ANU gym Futsal and various games around the Ovals of Canberra. He and his family were among the crowd at the Brazil Australia Futsal game on Kate's Slab down by the lake, now a Car Park around ten years ago or more!

Werner is now living and working in Brazil. He's our latest member at No. 364. He's also translated our documents into Portugese, more on that in the coming weeks.

And Nathan Zhivov, a Melbourne Victory fan living in Melbourne. Nathan worked for a few years in Canberra feels a close affinity with the place and loves his football. He would to see an A-League team in Canberra. We're the Capital, we want the World Cup. He sees the sense, he signed up.

I think you the fans of Canberra can encourage more interstate and overseas members particularly those with Canberra connnections.

Interesting technology opportunities in this modern world innit!

If the Canberra Cosmos had the Internet they'd still be here today....:)

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