The New York Magpies Australia Day party in 2012 took on an iconic feeling with numerous well known Australian’s joining the Magpies to celebrate the greatest country in the world. Angus Young from AC/DC mixed with Chopper Read and the Red Wiggle while Pat Cash faced off with Pat Cash and Lleyton Hewitt got involved as well. Contrary to popular rumour Warwick Capper is not the Magpies latest recruit although Shane Warne may be having a run around in the NYCAFL later in the year. Olympic Champion Cathy Freeman led the charge as everyone at the party chased down the jar of Vegemite for a proper Australian meal to end the night.
As has been the way throughout the Magpies history, Australia Day was celebrated long and hard into the night. Photos of all the costumes which were taken by superstar club member Rob Donner can be found here.
The New York Magpies would like to thank everyone that attended as well as our great club sponsors and supporters especially Matt Astill and the Australian Bar & Restaurant for hosting the event as part of a busy Australia Day week.
Several costumes stood out above the rest with the winners of the costume awards being:
Best Group Costume – Eddy Buckingham and Kayli Shallik
Best Female Costume Winner – Kylie McMaster
Best Female Costume Runner Up – Christina Licata
Best Male Costume Winner – Tristan Keeffe
Best Male Costume Runner Up – Chris Norman
Nationals – Division 1
Game 1 – New York Loses Game 1 in Dying Moments
Everyone knew that Calgary was going to be a tough contest coming into the tournament and Game 1 proved to be almost the match of the season. New York kicked against a strong wind in the first half, however the backline and midfield worked tirelessly to ensure the ball didn’t penetrate Calgary’s forward 50 too often. The forward line also exerted plenty of pressure and although New York had more of the ball in the first half, wayward kicking meant the Magpies lead was only 2 points at the major change.
The second half was again another enthralling contest, two of the top teams in North America playing hard, contested and unrelenting football with neither team giving an inch. The Magpies had a few chances to ice the game but Calgary’s run and carry from defense troubled the Magpies. The scores were tied with just a few minutes remaining, however, Calgary took their chances and ran over the top of the Magpies in the last few minutes, kicking what ended up being the match winning goal.
New York 2.5.17 def by Calgary 4.4.28
NY Best: Brennan, Taylor, Stone, Keating, Dixon
NY Goals: Brennan, Dixon
Game 2 – New York bounce back to OC
The OC Bombers have always been a tough match up and NY knew this would be no exception. However with NY needing a win to stay in the championship the coaching staff didn’t need to say much to players.The game was an arm wrestle from the first bounce, but New York worked their way into the game and the last 10 minutes of the first half was all New York allowing the Magpies to take a 2 goal lead into the major change.
The second half was much of the same and New York’s class rose to the top allowing them to run out comfortable winners and bounce back solidly with a win. After the game New York’s James McLoughlin said, “It was good to bounce back with a win, especially after the first game was a toss of the coin, so the boys showed what character there is in this group.”
New York 5.7.37 def Orange County 2.2.14
NY Best: McMaster, McLoughlin, Smith, Davis, Brennan
NY Goals: McLoughlin 2, Lin, Brennan, Keating
Game 3 – New York beat Golden Gate to Keep Hopes of Championship Alive
Needing to rely on other results to make it into the championship game, New York came out hard and dominated the first half. Unfortunately they couldn’t turn that game dominance into scoreboard pressure and with the windy conditions only went into the major change 1 goal up. The second half saw Golden Gate launch a number of counter attacks, however New York’s defense stood tall and only allowed 1 goal for the game which enabled NY to run out winners and finish with a 2-1 record, and waiting for the other results to see if they made the championship game.
New York 3.3.21 def Golden Gate 1.6.12
NY Best: Stone, Keating, Taylor, Spielman, Smith
NY Goals: McLoughlin, Taylor, Spielman
In the end the results didn’t fall in the Magpies favor and they were unable to defend their National Title. This loss has left the Magpies determined to get back to the top in 2012.
Nationals – Division 3
Game 1 – Undermanned New York gets run over by Atlanta
The New York Magpies second team (playing in Division 3 after winning Division 4 last year) were undermanned in their first game against Atlanta. They put in a brave effort and were down by only 3 points at half time. The Magpies were defiant, however, in the second half Atlanta had to much run and won by 5 goals.
Game 2 – New York Bounces back in a thriller over Kansas City
In their second game the Magpies received a boost with a few key players coming back into the team. In a tight game that saw the lead change 6 times in the second half, the Magpies stood tall and showed plenty of character to beat a strong Kansas City outfit.
Game 3 – New York powers past Columbus hoping to make the Grand Final
With their division title hopes still alive NY came out hard in their last round robin match. The Magpies dominated from the opening bounce but were wasteful in front of goal. Despite poor kicking, the Magpies easily accounted for Jackaroos winning by 7 goals.
Even though both teams didn’t make the Grand Finals, the club can still be very proud of the effort and results at Nationals. Finishing top 3 in the country and fielding 2 teams, along with winning the Eastern Conference made 2011 another successful year.
2012 SEASON
Not winning the 2011 National Championship has left the Magpies hungry for more success. Whilst 2011 saw some club legends retire from the club, the core group has been maintained and the players and club as a whole are looking forward to preseason training and getting back on the ground in a bid to climb back to the top of mountain.
Snow isn’t quite sand, clouds aren’t quite sunshine and rain boots certainly aren’t thongs but that’s no excuse for not joining the New York Magpies for the Australia Day Costume Party at the Australian Bar & Restaurant in Midtown.
With free beer and Australian Sangria from 8pm till 9pm, $5 Cooper’s and Jacob’s Creek all night, meat pies by the truckload and the Hottest 100 playing you’ll feel like you’re in the lucky country in no time!
Embrace your inner Crocodile Hunter, Shane Warne or even Dame Edna Everage for the chance to win a great prize. Tickets are available for $20 (6 for $100) and are on sale at nyfooty.com NOW.
Date: Saturday, January 28nd
Time: 8 pm on
Place: The Australian, 20 W. 38th Street (map and directions)
Tickets: $20 or 6 for $100.
Buy your tickets online.
As part of the recently held Annual General Meeting, Nick Walker, the current secretary of the New York Magpies, was elected President replacing Ed McCormick who had held the position for the past 3 years. McCormick will remain involved with the Magpies, supporting Walker and the rest of the management team. Other long-standing Magpies management team members Jonathan McClelland, Adam Mantzaris and Ojas ‘Juice’ Desai also stood down from their positions as Treasurer, Operations Manager and Recruitment Manager respectively to be replaced by Paul Devlin, Brad Davis and Bryan Caine.
Walker, who said he was ‘honored to be accepting the position which has been held by many Magpie legends’ paid homage to the departing management team members for their work over many years and welcomed the new members to the committee.
Aside from the new Treasurer, Operations Manager and Recruitment Manager, Glenn Caldwell will step into Walker’s former role as Secretary while women’s co-ordinater Andrea Casillas adds another hat to her collection becoming Vice President. Magscene editor Christina Licata has added Webmaster to her list of responsibilities and Myles Walkington has added Events, Marketing and Sponsorship to his NYCAFL commissioner position.
All other positions were confirmed with Glenn Ormsby and Lina Staropoli remaining as coaches of the Magpies and the Lady Pies respectively, Chris Norman running Merchandising and Tom Thompson retaining responsibility for Alumni.
Many others also put their hands up to assist with the task of running the New York Magpies, particularly with events, marketing, sponsorship, recruitment and the Magscene/website as the Magpies look forward to 2012.
