Club History

The Central Blues were founded in late 2005 by Bruce Parker and Rob Chapman who saw the need for an Australian Rules Football team based in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Officially entering the Ontario Australian Football League (OAFL) in 2006, the Blues made steady improvements throughout the season with a rookie squad but were unable to notch up their first win, finishing the season in bottom place with a 0-12 record. However, the season was not without reward with two players winning the OAFL Rookie of the Year award and one player selected into OAFL All-star team.

With a season under their belt, the Blues continued to improve in the 2007 season, managing their first win in club history in a nail biter against the Guelph Gargoyles by one point. The Blues would then go on to score one more victory for the year, again finishing in bottom place but with a 2-12 record and some very promising signs for the future. Again the Blues received recognition with two players selected into the OAFL All-star team as well the Assistant Coaching position.

After a strong preseason training and continued recruitment, the Blues got off to a slow start to the 2008 season, losing the first three games. However, the Blues then won 8 of the next 10 games to finish the regular season in 5th place earning a finals/postseason birth for the first time in their short history. The Blues then went on to defeat the Guelph Gargoyles in their first finals match before losing in the semi finals to the Broadview Hawks, finishing the year in fourth place overall with a 9-6 record. Among the highlights for the season was the establishment of a ‘reserves’ team which competed against the Hawks ‘reserves’ team on a regular basis, a 77 point win against the High Park Demons in which the Blues scored more than 100 points for the first time, and the first finals appearance and finals win. The Blues were again represented in the OAFL All-star team by earning two playing and the Assistant Coach position. Furthermore, 5 Blues players were selected in the Team Canada (Northwind) squad that represented Canada in the International Cup in Melbourne, Australia. Following the footy season, the Blues celebrated their most successful and fun season in history with their annual Presentation Night, AFL Grand Final Party and Footy Trip (which this year was in Las Vegas).

The 2009 season is shaping to be the biggest and best yet and will see the Blues play 6 games on their very own home field. The Blues will kick off their preseason in early 2009. Check this space for more details as they come to hand. Once the snow thaws the Blues will be back outside training in downtown Toronto at the University of Toronto backfield (cnr of Hoskin Ave and Tower Rd) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm. On Thursday evenings after training you will also find us at our home pub, The Ferret and Firkin (near cnr of Spadina and Bloor) enjoying a delicious feed and a few pints of FOSTER'S.We are always looking for more players (male and female, of all ages, of all skill and experience levels) who would be interested in joining the team. If you're interested in Aussie Rules and want to learn more then just come down to training or contact us (info@bluesafc.ca) to try this fun fast paced sport. Prior skills or knowledge of the sport is not required and everyone is welcome.