Crowing in Helsinki!
April 21st 2010 19:33
Time: 09:27pm Date: 21/04/2010 Location: My Bedroom, Kautokeino
This is a blog post that I sent into the Adelaide Crows to publish on their 'Crows Around the World' section of their website...and they did so I thought I would now share it will all of you!
Otherwise you can follow the link at the top to see the original published piece =)
Joel is a Crows supporter studying Journalism in Finland...
My name is Joel Smith. I have just turned 20 and am currently completing my studies in journalism in Helsinki, Finland. When I found out I was going on exchange, I was over the moon but then brought back down to earth when I knew I was going to miss my beloved Crows, for half of this season! Originally from Adelaide but now live in Melbourne, I have been a member since I was two years old and have attended the 1997 Grand Final. We (my family and I) are currently Victorian members and therefore see the boys live around six times a year (not including final appearances). I love that after the game, all the supporters gather in a function room of either the MCG or Etihad Stadium and wait for a few of the players to come get interviewed. One day, I hope to be that interviewer.
My family has been nuts about the Crows ever since they entered the competition in 1991. In the words of our home phone's answering machine, "Hi, you have reached the home of the biggest Adelaide Crows fans!" When we used to live in Adelaide, a trip to the footy became a common occurrence. Being members, we would sit with the same group of people every week and I would recognise the same faces behind me when I would stand up on my chair and chant, "Adelaide...Adelaide!" My brother and I made a guest appearance at the 'Crows Concert' in 1998 after winning 'Red Faces' on 'Hey, Hey It's Saturday' by me playing the crows theme song on guitar behind my head and my brother doing a headstand.
When I first arrived in Helsinki, I knew I couldn't miss one bit of the footy action. I had found a sports live streaming website that was amazing for soccer, cricket, golf and the like but it did not have AFL. I was extremely disappointed! I am praying that I will find a website where I can watch at least the Crows games, otherwise I will have to visit this bar called 'Aussie Bar'. Surely, they should have it - although, it is run by a bunch of Kiwi's!
Speaking of 'Aussie Bar' though, Australia Day this year was one of the best nights of my life. A group of us Aussies on exchange went there to celebrate our national day. A group of guys had a handball competition running out in the snow. I later found out that they were the guys from the Helsinki Heatseekers - the local AFL team, coached by Carl Steinford (Collingwood and Geelong). I entered this competition; came third, and got recruited by the boys to come out and train with them. I joined them indoors (of course) the following week and this was possibly the best decision of my life as I have been training with them ever since. Just imagine a guy from France, Columbia, Ireland, New Zealand, England, Spain, Italy, together with a few a Finns and a couple of Aussies, all uniting to play the great game of AFL football. Incredible! The frenchman is even an Adelaide Crows supporter!
All I need is an avenue to watch the Adelaide Crows on route to win the premiership in 2010 and life could not get any better than this!
This is a blog post that I sent into the Adelaide Crows to publish on their 'Crows Around the World' section of their website...and they did so I thought I would now share it will all of you!
Otherwise you can follow the link at the top to see the original published piece =)
Cold Crows in Helsinki: Alban (French) and I at indoor footy training with the Helsinki Heatseekers
Joel is a Crows supporter studying Journalism in Finland...
My name is Joel Smith. I have just turned 20 and am currently completing my studies in journalism in Helsinki, Finland. When I found out I was going on exchange, I was over the moon but then brought back down to earth when I knew I was going to miss my beloved Crows, for half of this season! Originally from Adelaide but now live in Melbourne, I have been a member since I was two years old and have attended the 1997 Grand Final. We (my family and I) are currently Victorian members and therefore see the boys live around six times a year (not including final appearances). I love that after the game, all the supporters gather in a function room of either the MCG or Etihad Stadium and wait for a few of the players to come get interviewed. One day, I hope to be that interviewer.
My family has been nuts about the Crows ever since they entered the competition in 1991. In the words of our home phone's answering machine, "Hi, you have reached the home of the biggest Adelaide Crows fans!" When we used to live in Adelaide, a trip to the footy became a common occurrence. Being members, we would sit with the same group of people every week and I would recognise the same faces behind me when I would stand up on my chair and chant, "Adelaide...Adelaide!" My brother and I made a guest appearance at the 'Crows Concert' in 1998 after winning 'Red Faces' on 'Hey, Hey It's Saturday' by me playing the crows theme song on guitar behind my head and my brother doing a headstand.
When I first arrived in Helsinki, I knew I couldn't miss one bit of the footy action. I had found a sports live streaming website that was amazing for soccer, cricket, golf and the like but it did not have AFL. I was extremely disappointed! I am praying that I will find a website where I can watch at least the Crows games, otherwise I will have to visit this bar called 'Aussie Bar'. Surely, they should have it - although, it is run by a bunch of Kiwi's!
Speaking of 'Aussie Bar' though, Australia Day this year was one of the best nights of my life. A group of us Aussies on exchange went there to celebrate our national day. A group of guys had a handball competition running out in the snow. I later found out that they were the guys from the Helsinki Heatseekers - the local AFL team, coached by Carl Steinford (Collingwood and Geelong). I entered this competition; came third, and got recruited by the boys to come out and train with them. I joined them indoors (of course) the following week and this was possibly the best decision of my life as I have been training with them ever since. Just imagine a guy from France, Columbia, Ireland, New Zealand, England, Spain, Italy, together with a few a Finns and a couple of Aussies, all uniting to play the great game of AFL football. Incredible! The frenchman is even an Adelaide Crows supporter!
All I need is an avenue to watch the Adelaide Crows on route to win the premiership in 2010 and life could not get any better than this!
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