2010 AGM

Congratulations to the new club officers!

Election Results - New Officers for 2011:
President - Brandon Blankenship
Vice-President - Jeff Blankman
Treasurer - Jim Baldwin
Secretary - Michael "SCUBA" Russell
Social Director - Rob Liwanag
Member at Large - Christian Maine
Football Operations - Brian Nickel

More info and discussion.

Grand Final Night!

Don't forget folks. The AFL Grand Final between St Kilda and Collingwood is on THIS Friday night.

FRIDAY night, Oct. 24th, 8PM.

2955 McGraw St.

San Diego, CA 92117

(858)755-5459

$10 cover for Beer and Meat Pies.

Congratulations to Rowdy and Jen on March's little brother, Thomas Wilder!

Already a St. Kilda's fan?

Prepare for Nationals

Nice win yesterday boys. Remember to pay your Lions' Club dues to qualify for Nationals discounts and services, October 9-10, 2010.

Every Player going to Nationals 2010 in Louisville, should be registered with USFooty.com Cost is $75 before October 6th, or $100 at the field. Remember to bring a copy of your passport or birth-certificate, too.

Eat well to heal, keep working on your aerobic fitness, and lay off the drink. Lions will play a minimum of three forty-minute games (2o min. half) in Kentucky, and we have to explode from the first bounce to earn our place in the final.

Home Game: SD VS. AZ

LIONS vs. HAWKS

This Weekend!

Lions Home Game

Saturday, September 18th, 3PM

At Doyle Community Park in La Jolla

8175 Regents Road

San Diego, CA 92122

(858) 552-1612

(this is the Main Field not the Elementary School)

It's GAME Time!

Lions VS. Bombers

THIS SATURDAY!

What: Australian Rules Football: Free Sports Event

When: Saturday, August 28, 2010 12:30 PM

Where: Charles H. Wilson Park
2200 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90501

San Diego Lions to Play the Orange County Bombers
First game starts at 12:30 PM : All-Comers game with Vegas Gamblers 2:30 PM.

12:30 - League Game - Bombers vs San Diego Lions (we'll plan on leaving SD county btw 8-8:30am)

2:30 - Reserves Game vs Vegas Gamblers - This will be a good run for players to get some experience. It won't be a full 18's game as Vegas aren't bringing enough guys. We'll most likely play 14's or 16's. Any of your SD Lions are welcome to be a part of this game.

We should be all wrapped up at the field by 4pm.

Nobody can have alcohol at the field. This is a public park with a lot of foot traffic. If we're seen with booze we'll not only be kicked off the field but they could get us into trouble legally.

Afterwards we're all heading to On The Rocks in Redondo Beach. It's a good place for us all to get together, have some food and beers. They'll be showing the MMA fight later in the evening for those who want to stay and watch.

FIELD LOCATION - Map

SOCIAL LOCATION - On The Rocks

You can also RSVP to this Meetup:

http://www.meetup.com/San-Diego-Outdoor-Enthusiasts/calendar/14522623/

San Diego Lions' Brewery Tour

Does defeat leave a bad taste in your mouth? Do you like beer? Have you ever wanted to see where they make beer? How about just tasting a bunch of really good beer? Come join the Lions for our first annual brewery tour.

• AleSmith Brewing Company


• Ballast Point Brewing Company


• The Lost Abbey

Saturday, August 14th, 2010, 12 PM- 6PM
Brando's (map)
1363 Hornblend Ave
San Diego, CA 92110

All Lions and their friends are Invited (but space is limited, RSVP today!)

We have a Charter Bus leaving from PB and heading to AleSmith, Ballast Point, and Lost Abbey. If you haven't heard of these beers, they are among San Diego's Best. Please be at Brando's by Noon. We will return to Pacific Beach by 6 PM for food.

Cost is $40/person. This includes the bus and beers at both Ballast Point and The Lost Abbey, as well as food on the bus. Only 24 seats available, reserve your seats now. Use the Payments Tab at SanDiegoLions.com and email AJHubner(at)gmail.com (Questions call AJ 858-775-5499)

Hope to see you there.

San Diego Lion's VS. Orange County Bombers, August 7th

San Diego Lions VS. Orange County Bombers,
Saturday, August 7, 2010
2:00 PM at Walker Wangenheim Park in Mira Mesa.

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We're also looking for volunteers to goal and boundary umpire, keep score, run water... Let me know if you're interested in helping out! president@sandiegolions.com

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that! - (Rocky – Rocky Balboa)

***YOU'RE INVITED*** Lions Week at the Beach!

***San Diego Lions Week at the Beach***

Fellow Lions (and friends) . . .

We have a campsite reserved at San Clemente State Beach.

When? Weds, June 30th – Tues, July 6th

Who’s invited? You, your families, and your friends!


DETAILS: Campsite #74. It has a large paved area, a large fire ring, a shaded area with a picnic table, and is just up the bluffs from the beach. Toilets are clean and an easy walk from the site. There are hot/cold pay showers available on site, too!

Come by for an afternoon, and evening, all day, or overnight . . . for as many nights as you like!

-Alcohol is allowed! However, please try to be “low key” especially in the evenings, as it is a family campground (and Jeffo’s teacher co-workers will be at an adjacent site )

-Cost: Please bring $10 donation per person, no matter how long/short you stay, so that the club can be reimbursed for this awesome campsite. If we recoup the cost, we’ll put any additional donations toward food/drinks.

-Parking: Only two cars are allowed to park at the site at any given time, and only one car is covered in the fee we’ve paid, so if you are able to bring your car in, expect to pay about $10. However, please just plan to park outside the campground and walk in. There is plenty of curbside parking close to the camp in the surrounding neighborhoods (see Google Map link for details). We will try to have a larger vehicle (truck or SUV) at the site if people/”stuff” needs to be shuttled into the campsite. We will use the Lion’s Twitter feed (which is published on the website) to let people know who is “on shuttle duty” at the campsite. Call the number listed on the website before you come for questions/details.

-Food: There will be a gas grill at the campground and also a small Coleman propane stove (can cook in skillets, pots, boil water, etc.). Please bring your own food. There is a Ralphs less than a mile from the campground, too. (see Google Map) There will be a donation jar set up to cover the cost of propane (if you use it) Suggested donation $3-$5.

-Staying overnight: Feel free! Technically, we are only supposed to have a max of 8 people, but if we “stay low key” and have no more than 8 tents any given night, we should be fine. There is plenty of room for many tents on site. If you plan to be there at night and want to enjoy a campfire, please bring a bundle of wood with your group, too.

-FIREWORKS? According to the city of San Clemente’s website, there will be fireworks at the pier—which is less than a mile from the campsite—on Sunday the 4th at approx. 9pm. We should be able to see them from the camp, and definitely from the beach just below.

-What to bring?

ESSENTIALS: SUGGESTIONS:
-$10 donation per person -Sun canopy
-Food/drinks and applicable cookware/dishware -Beach gear (swimming, surfing, etc.)
-Beach chairs -Bicycles (lost of great bike paths along the
-Tent & sleeping gear (if staying the night) beautiful coast)
-Bundle of wood (if there at night, for the fire) -Cooler & Ice
-Sunscreen

Directions: Click here for a link to a Google Map with details.

Interstate 5 North
Exit Cristianitos Road
Turn left and proceed over the freeway
Turn right onto Ave. del Presidente
Turn left onto Ave. Calafia
San Clemente State Beach entrance will be on your left side in ¼ mile

Click here for a link to the website of the campground:

Click here for a link to the campground’s brochure:

Click this link for a printable (Word) version of this info: San Diego Lions Week at the Beach.doc

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

(Remember: Check the Twitter feed on the website for updates, phone numbers, and other things before coming!)

Reminder: Get out to training, or else.

For Bill Dusting it was just an average workday. Like most mornings, he parked his mail truck and climbed out to deliver mail to the University City neighborhood he has worked in for 15 years. He attributed his survival to years of training for Australian Football, where speed and cat like reflexes are key.

Source: Decision to Go Right Saved his Life | NBC San Diego

Bug Hunt Success

This year's Crawfish Bowl was a huge success. Dozens of people consumed hundreds of mud bugs.
Thanks to AJ and Steph for all their hospitality, and to Brando, J.J. and Shanka for flying in the mini-lobsters and cooking things up.

Find more photos like this on San Diego Lions

More images from SCUBA:

Find more photos like this on San Diego Lions

Join Us For Friday Night Footy - May 7 & 14

Only two weeks left of our first session of Friday Night Footy. We've had two great games so far with an excellent turnout each week. Come out and join us for a kick or just bring the family to watch an exciting night of Australian Football under the lights. Warm-ups start at 6:30 and the game kicks off at 7pm. Players please arrive early to help setup.

Location: Walker Wangenheim Park in Mira Mesa

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Field is Open Tonight for Friday Night Footy Tonight

Despite fears to the contrary, the field at Walker Wangenheim has dried up enough for the city to allow us to use it tonight. See you there at 6:00.

Friday Night Footy, April 23rd 2010

No plans this Friday night? Looking for something fun and exciting to do? Well, the Lions, as per usual, are here to come to your rescue.

Be sure to make it out to Walker-Wangenheim School Park (Black Mountain Rd, 92126) for some Friday Night Footy, as the Lions Metro season kicks off. Game starts at 630pm (All players please be there by 6pm). It'll be a cracker folks, so some on down!

http://www.recreationparks.net/CA/san-diego/walker-wangenheim-school-park-san-diego

Friday Night Metro Kicks Off This Friday

This Friday will mark the first game of a 4 week metro competition for the Lions. So come out to have a kick with us or just to watch a hard fought local game of footy at Walker-Wangenheim Park in Mira Mesa. Players arrive by 6pm for a 6:30 start. After the game we'll head to a local pub for a few beers.




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Lions Win in Vegas - Muff Pulls on Lions Jumper for the Last Time

Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Lions headed out to Las Vegas this weekend for the first real hit out of the season, playing the first game of the perennial home-and-away series against the Gamblers.

It was a beautiful, sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky. The weather was warm, but not scorching. A soft breeze made for rather pleasant playing conditions.

After arriving and getting prepared, the teams' leadership determined that we would be playing 15-a-side, with the Lions providing Vegas with an additional two players--Albert "The Russian" Yakubovitch and Mickey Martin--in order to fill out their ranks. The Gamblers were hospitable and eager to play as usual. Stalwarts Kurt and Jeremiah provided leadership for an inexperienced and young side, with six players pulling on the boots for their very first game of footy.
The first quarter saw both sides a bit stiff and rusty in the skills department. The play was scrappy, with the ball being played from the ground during most of the quarter. Poor hand passes, botched drop kicks, and missed opportunities were the rule rather than the exception. Both sides were able to move the ball into their respective forward lines many times, yet without bearing much fruit. The Lions struck first when veteran Donnie Lucero (back fresh after taking most of last season off) snapped a bender from the goal square for a major score . Soon after, ruck Matty Lilien scored a running shot from about 30 meters in front of the goals. The Gamblers answered back with two of their own, however, while the Lions missed two scoring opportunities, settling for behinds. The Lions scraped together two more majors before the quarter was out, yet Coach Simon Schenk was not pleased.
Quarter 1: Las Vegas 2.0.12 San Diego 4.2.26

At the quarter break, Coach Schenk got a bit fired up and called the Lions out for not taking the time to grab and control the ball. While he commended the Lions' effort at the ball, nerves and carelessness were causing many turnovers and opportunities lost. He asked each team member to take the extra split second to control the ball, back himself, and make a good delivery.
It seems that the pep talk worked, because the second quarter saw both the Lions and Gamblers gaining in confidence and skill. Hand passes were on their mark and the kicks were more accurate. The Lions defense--led by John Bucci at full back and Brandon Blankenship at half-back--however, locked down the Gamblers' attacks. The second quarter the Lions only saw the ball in the danger zone three times, while the Lions' center line and forward were manly able to trap the ball in their forward half of the field. Jimbo Boyer made his mark at full forward, scoring four goals this quarter. However, inaccurate shots at goal plagued the Lions as well.
Half: Las Vegas 3.0.18 San Diego 9.8.62

The third quarter saw the skills improve even more, though fitness more than anything began to play a key role in control and movement of the ball. The Lions seemed to maintain a steady pace and attack on the ball, while the Gamblers seemed to flag a bit. It was the Lions' strongest quarter, adding 8 majors and only 3 behinds. Stand-out contributors were Justin Valley, who added three goals to the tally, and Jimbo Boyer, who clocked another three, for seven total on the game. The Gamblers managed just two behinds in the third quarter.

Quarter 3: Las Vegas 3.2.20 San Diego 17.11.113

In a bittersweet tribute, Coach Schenk decided to put Joel "Muff" Roman in the forward line for the opportunity to score in what could be his final game ever as a Lion. He had just informed the team that he'd taken a job in the Bay Area and would be gone after the weekend. The Lions were able to feed the ball to ol' Muffer on several occasions, and though he fought nobly, the tenacious defense of the Gamblers proved too much to overcome. Twice Muff snapped a shot, only to have it graze the post for a minor score. John Bucci, newly moved up from the back line, Brian Nickel, and Donovan Trost were able to post five majors between them, though, and the knackered Gamblers only managed to add a single behind to their score before the final siren.

Final: Las Vegas 3.3.21 San Diego 23.14.152

After the game the Gamblers graciously put on a BBQ and the two teams were able to socialize a bit before the Lions headed out to the strip for a night of revelry. The Lions would like to thank the Gamblers for their warm hospitality and the opportunity to keep this friendly rivalry going over the years. We look forward to seeing them again in San Diego in the coming months this season.

Umpire: Simon Schenk
Lions Goal Scorers: Boyer 7; Valley 5; Lilien 3; Nickel, Bucci 2; Lucero, Blankenship, Kistler, Trost 1
Lions Player's Player: Jimbo Boyer
Lions Board Award: Joel Roman
Lions best on Ground: Boyer, Bucci, Kistler, Valley, Blankenship, Roshan

A warm farewell and best wishes to Joel Roman, too, with his new job and life in the Bay Area. We'll miss you, Muff, and hopefully we'll get to see you in the ugly, detestable blue and orange of the Roos before too long!

Joel "Muff" Roman

Lion's to play in Las Vegas this Weekend!

Awesome turnout for our first metro of the season last weekend! Thanks to all the players and supporters... Also a special thank you to Stephanie and AJ Hubner for hosting the barbecue afterwards!!

Vegas this weekend! Saturday, April 17th. The game is at 3pm. We'll meet early Saturday morning at a central location(@8AM) and head out to Las Vegas from there. I'll send out more details later in the week on carpooling and where we will be staying for those that don't already have accommodations. Looks like we have about 18-20 players right now. Let me know if you want to go, but haven't told me yet. (email: President-at-sandiegolions.com ) View Map




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Jeff Blankman's Dirty Thirty Birthday Party

Friday, April 2, 8:00PM

Triple Crown Pub, 3221 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116

Some form of mustache REQUIRED!

(male and female alike)

If you have a mustache, or want a mustache, or just think you might look good in a mustache, then you better go to Jeff's Dirty Thirty.

Playing the Field: Marymount College- Sports 2010 Greg Narleski

Tuesday Training Starts Tonight!

The Lions will hold our first Tuesday night training session tonight at Doyle Elementary School at 6pm. Whether you've been lurking for awhile thinking about starting Aussie Rules or if you're an experienced player that's a little out of shape, tonight's a great night to join us. Check the map at the bottom of the page for the location.

First Training Session of 2010

The Lions had their first official training session this morning across from the roller coaster in Belmont Park. We had a good turnout for our first session and beautiful weather. Schenka and Donnie reminded us all how out of shape we are, and JV taught us a valuable lesson in why you don't get bottle service on the Friday night before the first Saturday training session.

Weeknight trainings kick off this Tuesday night at 6pm at Doyle Elementary. Footy season is back!