The Ottawa Swans are an Australian rules football club based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Ottawa Swans
Names
Full nameOttawa Swans Australian Football Club
Nickname(s)Swans, Swannies, Bloods
2024 season
Club details
Founded2006
ColoursRed   and White  
PresidentRob Harbic
CoachYaser (Women's ) James Clock (Men)
Premierships2014(W - AFLO)

2015(W - AFLQ)

2016(W - AFLQ)

2018(M - AFLO)

2019(M - AFLO)

2024(W - AFLO)
Ground(s)Manotick Polo Club/Bloods Park
Other information
Official websitewww.ottawaswans.com Swans Instagram

The club is notable as being the first and currently only Australian rules football club to represent the city of Ottawa.

The Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club played 3 exhibition games in 2007 before becoming a not-for-profit society in 2008. It entered the AFL Ontario (OAFL) as a member team in 2008, playing home games on a pitch built in the infield of the Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa's south end.

The inaugural team of the Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club was led on the field by captain Steve Spurrell and coached by Richard Keane, who also played in the majority of games.

The Swans' first victory (as part of the Ontario Australian Football League) occurred on 11 July 2009 in the 3rd annual Canada Day Cup. The Swans defeated the Guelph Gargoyles 13.8.86 to 3.7.25 at the Rideau Carleton Raceway. It took the Swans 20 games to get their first win (13 losses in the first season and 6 in the second).

The Swans posted their first away victory in round 10 of the 2009 season against the High Park Demons at Humber College North. The final score was 12.6.78 to 3.7.25 .

2012 saw the introduction of the women's team, finishing a very successful inaugural season in 2nd spot[1] after the home and away season and 3rd overall after being defeated by the Hamilton Wildcats in the second week of finals.[2]

The Swans' Men's first finals (post-season) berth occurred in season 2013 after finishing the season in 5th spot.[3] They were defeated in the first round Elimination Final by the Toronto Rebels 5.10-40 to 1.9-15[4]

In season 2014, the Swans women's squad won the first premiership in the club's history, defeating the Hamilton Wildcats in the Grand Final 7.9.51 to 2.2.14.[5]

For the 2015 season the Women's team joined AFL Quebec, a 9-a-side competition, and split their team in two, competing as the Carleton Warriors and Rideau Shamrocks. The Men's team remained in AFL Ontario. The Carleton Warriors went on the win back to back Premierships in 2015 & 2016.

2018 saw the Ottawa Swans Men's team win their maiden premiership. This was due to the leadership of "Rocket" Frank, Nathan Strom and Matt Powell who were instrumental in building a competitive culture and recruiting Canadian players. After a perfect season having won all 12 regular season games, the Swans won all three finals including the Grand Final over the 2017 premiers the Toronto Eagles at Humber College South 10.10 70 - 6.5 41.[6] The Women's side fought hard all season in their return to the AFLO. They took the battle to the Roos in the Grand Final, but lost.

In 2019, the Ottawa Swans Men's team continued to find success, winning all their regular season games and final matches en route to hard-fought victory against the Hamilton Wildcats to claim back to back Premierships.[7] The Women's team put together an impressive regular season with only one loss but were not able to replicate their finals magic.

In 2020/2021, the AFL Ontario season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

In 2024, the Pony Platter, a preseason exhibition tournament, expanded further to include the New York Magpies, Boston Demons, High Park Demons, and Edmonton AFC in addition to the Quebec Saints and Nova Scotia Pirates. This expansion also led to the introduction of a second playing field. The Swans introduced a new Indigenous jersey in collaboration with Kanyen’keha Artist Kory Parkin, which was unveiled at their Home Opener on June 8, 2024, during their designated Indigenous Round. A Pre-Game ceremony was held with a land acknowledgement and song from Mr. Greg Meekis, an Ojibway Cree from Sandy Lake First Nation, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Resource Coordinator with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, following by Anishinabe Hoop dancer Mekhena performing.[8][9]

The Women's side finished the season with an undefeated record, the first in the AFLO comp since 2015. The Swans would defeat the Hamilton Wildcats in the Grand Final.[2]

Club awards

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(Men's) Best & Fairest (Men's) Runner Up Men (Women's) Best & Fairest (Women's) Runner Up Women Life Members
2024 Ben Stanzel Tristan Picketts & James Young Lannie Richardson Vivian Nguyen Amanda Paradis & Rod Frank
2023 James Clock Riley Turpin Caroline Leduc Briana Fayad
2022 Jordan Harcombe James Clock Charlotte Biot Caroline Leduc Emma Dickinson & Jacob Plunkett-Latimer
2019 Cory Townder Cameron Brown Holly Vachon Charlotte Biot Greg Simpson & Nathan Strom & Matthew Powell
2018 Cameron Ralph Cameron Brown Vivian Nguyen Rebecca Rousseau Michael Beall & Joel Dawes & Yaser Abou Elenein
2017 Nathan Strom Greg Bridges Anke Patzelt Holly Vachon
2016 Alex Huard, Blair Oliver, Nathan Strom Greg Bridges Vivian Nguyen Holly Vachon
2015 Nathan Strom Joel Crummins Holly Costanza Vivian Nguyen Lisa Dalla Rosa
2014 Tom Stafford Joel Crummins Aimee Legault Vivian Nguyen Alp Oran
2013 Nathan Strom Brendan Woods Emma Dickinson Kirsten Bodashefsky Chris Lockhart
2012 Darren Roffey Mike Kozlowski Emma Dickinson Holly Costanza Christopher MacLean
2011 Darren Roffey Blake Hurley
2010 Darren Roffey Ryan Gregory Tammy Bowen & Corey Bowen
2009 Luke Walsh Darren Roffey & Richard Keane Ray Kaduck
2008 Luke Walsh Darren Roffey Steve Spurrell & Richard Keane
(Men's) Rookie Of The Year (Women's) Rookie Of The Year
2024 James Young Lannie Richardson
2023 Clarence Gay Isabel Kleinbub
2022 Matthew Makin Evaline Harmsen
2019 Geoff Coventry Filssan Houssein
2018 Brent Williams & Riley Joseph Erica Saabath
2017 Greg Layman Krystal Novac
2016 Pablo Juarez Belinda Wozniak
2015 Ian Baldwin Kelly Cambridge
2014 Jordan Hardcombe Lauren Stoot
2013 Brendan Woods Roberta Kramchynsky
2012 Tyler MacLellan
2011 Thomas Delaney
2010 Jay Goldhawk
2009 Ryan Nader & Sean Robertson-Tait
2008 Ryan Gregory
(Men's) Most Consistent (Women's) Most Consistent
2024 Andrew MacDonald Isabel Kleinbub & Amanda Irwin
2023 Corey Herrington Filssan Houssein
2022 Joshua La Porta Kyla Borden
2019 Yaser Abou Elenein & Joshua La Porta Margaret Werniuk
2018 Cameron Brown Lisa Dalla Rosa
2017 Cameron Brown Holly Vachon
2016 Morgan Whyte Vivian Nguyen
2015 Morgan Whyte Vivian Nguyen
2014 Darren Roffey & Matthew Powell Aimee Legault
2013 Nathan Strom Catherine Geci
2012 Darren Roffey Holly Costanza
2011 Darren Roffey
2010 Darren Roffey
2009 Darren Roffey
2008 Richard Keane
(Men's) Best Canadian Men's Best in Finals Women's Best in Finals
2024 Not Awarded Not Awarded Not Awarded
2023 Not Awarded Not Awarded Not Awarded
2022 Not Awarded Not Awarded Not Awarded
2019 Greg Bridges/Mic Masek Cameron Brown Kristina Bromley
2018 Jordan Harcombe Nathan Strom Erica Saabath
2017 Mic Masek
2016 Morgan Whyte
2015 Nathan Strom
2014 Guy Joel Rocher
2013 Mike Kozlowski
2012 Mike Kozlowski
2011 Mike Kozlowski/Jay Goldhawk
2010 Chris Peck
2009 Chris Lockhart
2008 Jake Plunkett-Latimer
(Men's) Best Defender (Women's) Best Defender
2024 Not Awarded Not Awarded
2023 Not Awarded Not Awarded
2022 Corey Herrington Michelle Huard
2019 Lachie Brown Harmony Sluiman
2018 Michelle Huard
2017 Alana Sluiman
2016 Nathalie Presseau
2015 Kelly Cambridge
2014 Catherine Geci
(Men's) Most Improved (Women's) Most Improved
2024
2023 Andrew MacDonald Kyla Borden
2022 Michael Masek Leah McNamee
2019 Greg Layman Charlotte Biot
2018 Mic Masek Margret Werniuk
2017 Derek Picketts Courtney Diotte
2016 Michael Beall Beth Sheffield
2015 Alex Huard Margaret Werniuk
2014 Bogdan Rotaru Vivian Nguyen
2013 Jake Plunkett-Latimer Holly Costanza
2012 Alec Campbell
2011 Mike Kozlowski
2010 Chris Peck/Ryan Nader
2009 Zac Plunkett-Latimer
2008 Chris Lockhart
(Men's) Goalkicking Award (Women's) Goalkicking Award
2024 Geoffrey Coventry Amanda Irwin
2022 Geoffrey Coventry (11) Caroline Leduc (5)
2022 Jordan Harcombe (9) Caroline Leduc (3)
2019 Cory Townder (31) Amanda Smith
2018 Jordan Harcombe (31) Krystal Novac (15)
2017 Matthew Powell Amanda Paradis & Holly Vachon
2016 Matthew Powell (31) Belinda Wozniak
2015 Matthew Powell & Nathan Strom (18) Holly Costanza (22)
2014 Tom Stafford (26) Aimee Legault (7)
2013 Mike Kozlowski (21) Kirsten Bodashefsky (12)
2012 Darren Roffey (20) Emma Dickinson (17)
2011 Ryan Gregory (17)
2010 Corey Bowen (19)
2009 Darren Roffey (17)
2008 Darren Roffey (21)
(Men's) Keane's Coach's Award (Women's) Coach's Award
2024 Mathew Makin Charlotte Biot
2023 Tristan Picketts Evaline Harmsen
2022 Paul Barron Filssan Houssein
2019 Soman Panigrahi Michelle Huard
2018 Greg Bridges Michelle Huard
2017 Greg Bridges Harmony Sluiman
2016 Greg Bridges Holly Vachon
2015 Michael Beall Lisa Dalla Rosa
2014 Joel Crimmins Brier Dodge
2013 Jack Beardmore/Andrew Wilson Emma Dickinson
2012 Charles Bernard Meghan Haycock
2011 David Martin
2010 Jay Goldhawk
2009 Zac Plunkett-Latimer
2008 Seth Potter
(Men's) Players Player (Women's) Players Player
2024 Olivier Trembley Evaline Harmsen
2023 Not Awarded Not Awarded
2022 Greg Bridges Charlotte Biot
Volunteer of the Year Award
2024 Connor Adair & Evaline Harmsen
2023 Brendan Boucher
2022 Yaser Abou Elenein
2019 Rob Harbic
2018 Pablo Juarez & Michelle Huard
2017 Amanda Paradis
2016 Lisa Dalla Rosa
2015 Alp Oran
2014 Charles Bernard
2013 Alp Oran
2012 Rob Paradis
2011 Benjamin Birt
2010
2009 Rob Duncan
2008 Tammy Bowen & Lisa Dalla Rosa

League awards

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(Men's) OAFL Grand Final Best and Fairest

Grand Final Best and Fairest

  • 2024 Lannie Richardson (AFLO)
  • 2018 Pat Eefting (AFLO)
  • 2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
  • 2015 Ash Scott (AFLQ)

Best and Fairest

  • 2024 Filssan Houssein (AFLO)
  • 2022 Jordan Harcombe (AFLO)
  • 2019 Cory Townder (AFLO)
  • 2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
  • 2014 Tom Stafford (AFLO)

Leading Goalkicker

  • 2024 Amanda Irwin (AFLO)
  • 2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)

Canadian Best and Fairest

  • 2023 RIley Turpin (AFLO)
  • 2018 Jordan Harcombe (AFLO)
  • 2015 Nathan Strom (AFLO)

Most Improved Player

  • 2016 Dora Bartulovic (AFLQ)

Rookie Of The Year

  • 2024 Lannie Richardson (AFLO)
  • 2018 Brent Williams (AFLO)
  • 2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
  • 2012 Emma Dickinson (AFLO)
  • 2008 Ryan Gregory (AFLO)

Coach Of The Year

  • 2019 Nathan Strom (AFLO)
  • 2019 Greg Simpson (AFLO)
  • 2018 Matthew Powell (AFLO)

(Men's) OAFL All-Star Team

  • 2024 Ben Stanzel, Mathew Makin
  • 2023 James Clock (Wing), Riley Turpin (Wing)
  • 2022 Corey Herrington (CHB), Greg Bridges (HBF), James Clock (Wing), Geoff Coventry (HFF), Jordan Harcombe (FF), Michael Masek (I/C), Greg Bridges (assistant coach)
  • 2019 John O'Connor, Cory Townder, Cameron Brown (VC), Greg Bridges, Mic Masek, Nathan Strom (coach)
  • 2018 Jordan Harcombe, Alex Huard, Cameron Ralph, Cameron Brown, Mic Masek, Morgan Whyte, Nathan Strom, Matthew Powell (coach)
  • 2017 Nathan Strom (Captain - HF), Jordan Harcombe (R), Ronan Shaughnessy (Bench), Morgan Whyte (Back), Matthew Powell (assistant coach)
  • 2016 Nathan Strom (VC), Alex Huard (I/C), Morgan Whyte (Ruck), Ronan Shaughnessy (midfield), Blair Oliver (HF), Rod Frank (assistant coach)
  • 2015 Nathan Strom (VC) (HFF), Jordan Harcombe, Ronan Shaughnessy
  • 2014 Nathan Strom, Mike Kowzlowski, Ronan Shaughnessy, Tom Stafford, Rod Frank (assistant coach)
  • 2013 Mike Kowzlowski (HF), Nathan Strom (Wing), Ronan Shaughnessy (I/C) Rod Frank (assistant coach)
  • 2012 Mike Kozlowski (CHB)
  • 2011 Chris Peck (Bench)
  • 2008 Ryan Gregory (Bench)

(Men's) OAFL Canadian All-Ontario Team

  • 2017 Nathan Strom (Captain - HF), Jordan Harcombe (R), Ronan Shaughnessy (HB), Morgan Whyte (HB), Matthew Powell (assistant coach)

(Women's ) OAFL/AFLQ All-Star Team

  • 2024 Charlotte Biot, Lannie Richardson, Amanda Irwin, FIlssan Houssein, Isabel Kleinbub (I/C), Yaser Abou Elenein (assistant coach)
  • 2023 Charlotte Biot (Captain, CHB), Filssan Houssein (Centre), Caroline Leduc (HFF), Briana Fayad (FP), Evaline Harmsen (I/C), Isabel Kleinbub (I/C), Yaser Abou Elenein (assistant coach)
  • 2022 Caroline Leduc (HFF), Charlotte Biot (I/C) Evaline Harmsen (I/C), Yaser Abou Elenein (assistant coach)
  • 2019 Michelle Huard (VC), Margret Wernuik, Holly Vachon, Amanda Smith, Harmony Sluiman, Charlotte Biot, Greg Simpson (coach)
  • 2018 Michelle Huard, Vivian Nguyen, Holly Vachon, Rebecca Rousseau, Margret Wernuik, Erica Sabbath, Greg Simpson (coach)
  • 2017 Margret Wernuik, Courtney Diotte, Roberta Kramchynsky, Anke Patzelt, Krystal Novak (AFLQ)
  • 2016 Margret Wernuik, Vivian Nguyen, Holly Vachon, Rebecca Gomez, Beth Sheffield, Dora Bartulovic, Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
  • 2015 Margaret Wernuik, Catherine Geci, Kelly Cambridge, Holly Vachon, Dora Bartulovic, Laurea Stoot, Vivian Nguyen (AFLQ)
  • 2014 Margo Legault, Emma Dickinson, Holly Vachon, Amiee Legault, Vivian Nguyen, Chris Lockhart (coach)
  • 2013 Kirsten Bodashefsky (Rover), Emma Dickinson (Centre), Holly Vachon(HF)

Northwind (National Canadian Team) Players

  • 2024 Greg Bridges, Greg Layman, Geoffrey Coventry, Morgan Whyte
  • 2022 Jordan Harcombe, James Clock, Riley Joseph, Geoff Coventry, Michael Masek, Greg Bridges
  • 2017 Morgan Whyte, Alex Huard, Greg Bridges, Kyle Graham
  • 2014 Nathan Strom, Mike Kozlowski, Adam Nash
  • 2009 Ryan Gregory, Chris Lockhart, Graeme Millen

Northern Lights (National Canadian Team) Players

  • 2024 Lannie Richardson, Filssan Houssein, Caroline Leduc, Amanda Irwin, Isabel Kleinbub
  • 2022 Caroline Leduc, Charlotte Biot
  • 2017 Vivian Nguyen, Rebecca Gomez, Margo Legault, Aimee Legault
  • 2014 Emma Dickinson, Holly Costanza, Kirsten Bodashefsky, Margo Legault, Aimee Legault

Club Honour Board

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Year President (M) Finishing position (M) Coach (M) Captain(s) (M) Best & Fairest (M) Leading Goalkicker (W) Finishing Position (W) Coach (W) Captain(s) (W) Best & Fairest (W) Leading Goalkicker
2008 Ray Kaduck 10th Richard Keane Steve Spurrell Luke Walsh Darren Roffey (21)
2009 Ray Kaduck 8th Corey Bowen Luke Walsh/Ryan Gregory (VC) Luke Walsh Darren Roffey (17)
2010 Ray Kaduck 10th Chris MacLean Ryan Gregory/Chris Lockhart (VC) Darren Roffey Corey Bowen (11)
2011 Ray Kaduck 9th Chris MacLean Ryan Gregory/Jay Goldhawk (VC) Darren Roffey Ryan Gregory (10)
2012 Benjamin Birt/Tammy Bowen 10th Chris MacLean/Marc Magierowicz Darren Roffey/Jay Goldhawk (VC)/Mike Kozlowski (VC) Darren Roffey Darren Roffey (20) 2nd Chris Lockhart Lisa Dalla Rosa Emma Dickinson Emma Dickinson
2013 Chris MacLean 5th Rod Frank Mike Kozlowski/Jay Goldhawk (VC) Nathan Strom Mike Kozlowski (21) 4th Chris Lockhart Lisa Dalla Rosa Emma Dickinson Kirsten Bodashefsky
2014 Chris MacLean 3rd Rod Frank Mike Kozlowski/Nathan Strom (VC) Tom Stafford Tom Stafford (26) 1st Chris Lockhart Holly Costanza Aimee Legault
2015 Chris MacLean Rod Frank Nathan Strom Nathan Strom Matthew Powell & Nathan Strom Chris Lockhart Holly Costanza Holly Costanza
2016 Chris MacLean Rod Frank Nathan Strom Alex Huard, Blair Oliver, Nathan Strom Matthew Powell (31) Chris Lockhart Holly Costanza Vivian Nguyen Belinda Wozniak
2017 Chris MacLean Matthew Powell Nathan Strom Matthew Powell Charles Bernard Anke Patzelt Amanda Paradis & Holly Vachon
2018 Trevor Jamieson 1st Matthew Powell Jono Burnett Cameron Ralph Jordan Hardcombe (31) 2nd Greg Simpson Amanda Paradis Vivian Nguyen Krystal Novak (15)
2019 Yaser Abou Elenein 1st Nathan Strom John O'Connor Cory Townder Cory Townder (31) 2nd Greg Simpson Amanda Paradis Holly Vachon
2020 Yaser Abou Elenein Season Cancelled due to Covid Cam Brown John O'Connor N/A N/A Season Cancelled due to Covid Michelle Huard Amanda Paradis N/A N/A
2021 Yaser Abou Elenein Season Cancelled due to Covid Dwayne Cocks/Greg Bridges N/A N/A Season Cancelled due to Covid Michelle Huard N/A N/A
2022 Yaser Abou Elenein 3rd Greg Bridges Jordan Harcombe Jordan Harcombe Jordan Harcombe 4th Yaser Abou Elenein Charlotte Biot/Carole Leduc Charlotte Biot Caroline Leduc
2023 Yaser Abou Elenein 6th Jordan Harcombe/Brendan Boucher/Joshua LaPorta James Clock James Clock Geoffrey Coventry 4th Yaser Abou Elenein Charlotte Biot/Carole Leduc Caroline Leduc Caroline Leduc
2024 Rob Harbic 4th Jonny Kay/James Clock Andrew MacDonald Ben Stanzel Geoffrey Coventry 1st Yaser Abou Elenien Charlotte Biot Lannie Richardson Amanda Irwin

References

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  1. ^ "Season 2012 Women's Ladder". Sporting Pulse. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  2. ^ "2012 Finals Week 2". Sporting Pulse. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Season 2013 Ladder". Sporting Pulse.
  4. ^ "2013 Elimination Final 1". Sporting Pulse.
  5. ^ "2014 Womens Grand Final". Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  6. ^ "2018 Men's Grand Final". Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  7. ^ "2019 Award Winners". Ottawa Sports Awards. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  8. ^ Messeneger, Manotick (17 July 2024). "Swans Unveil Indigenous-inspired Jerseys at Manotick Polo Grounds". Manotick Messenger. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Ottawa Swans host their first ever Indigenous Round - AFL Canada". aflcanada.com. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
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