|
As Mike Powers mentioned in the "How it started" edition by 2003 the Atlanta Kookaburras had moved into the corporate world off the field by officially incorporating as a business in the state of Georgia. This was just the start of a process that would take most of 2003 to complete and lead to the successful application to the IRS for Not For Profit 501(c)(3) status. What Mike also left out of his summation of events at the end of 2002 was that he was elected officially as the first President of the Atlanta Kookaburras by votes of the members. Up until that time election to so called "officer bearer" positions was via simple nomination like, "ok you do it" as someone pointed to another or otherwise the guy who had gone to get the next round of drinks was duly appointed to whatever vacant position was being discussed before he returned to the table to defend himself. The incorporation documents, Bylaws and rules of the Board of Management were first discussed and organized at a meeting of Alp Oran, Lou Fullager, myself Wayne Kraska and later Anthony Ellis at Fellini's Pizzaria on Peachtree Road in Buckhead in July 2002. The lodging of the IRS paperwork in 2003 came down to the very first official Treasurer Matt Wilson who completed many hours of research and drafting of forms and necessary documents. The Kookaburras became only the second club in the USA behind Nashville to obtain 501(c)(3) status. It was also an indication if indirectly that the club had moved well forward from its "buddy" system of administration and its pitfalls. On the field in 2003 the Kookaburras would have a great 8-4 record with the only regular season losses to Boston and Nashville on the road. At the USAFL National Championships again held in Kansas City the Kookaburras would have a fairly lean weekend again playing in Div 1. Going down to eventual winners Denver on Saturday morning then Orange County later in the day it was left to Sunday to salvage some pride. Despite a rather late Saturday night for some the Kookaburras defeated the St Louis Blues for their first ever Div 1 victory. The night before had also seen Milwaukee elected as the next hosts of the Nationals and a exhibition game of women's footy would catch everyones interest on Sunday in KC. Who would realize where that would lead in the years ahead. The start of 2004 would be indeed busy for the club. In late January the Milwaukee club indicated they could not host the Nationals as promised and the USAFL were looking for another venue. As the Kookaburras had put forward a proposal in 2003 a meeting was quickly organized and Brent Bacon as webmaster assembled an online presentation that would be soon approved. I believe the year of activities on and off the field were by far the most successful for the club. The Kookaburras also hosted the East v West All Star Game weekend in June of 2004 with seventy players coming to Atlanta for two games to trial the great surface of the Atlanta Polo Club in Cumming that was to be the location of the Nationals later in October. On the field the Kookas joined the Mid American Football League and continued on in the Sth Eastern Australian Football League as well. Making the Kookaburras the only club to have ever played in two leagues at the same time. In the MAAFL we would acquit ourselves quite well with a 3-3 record and again take the SEAFL title from our arch rivals the Nth Carolina Tigers. The completion of the year saw 750 players and 27 teams in town for the Pratt Industries USAFL National Championships. With 40 games over the two days plus added adventures like junior games and another women's exhibition game the championships would be hailed a supreme success. Much to the thanks of many club volunteers and terrific sponsors like Pratt Industries, Qantas and Champs Sports. The Kookas would go winless in Div 1 and also field a team in Div 3 with the help of the Tri Cities Saints who would appear for the last time as they folded soon after the event. Special guests at the Nationals would be Essendon record coaching superstar Kevin Sheedy, Dave Matthews from the AFL and former AFL star Kevin Morris. It was indeed a time to celebrate for the Kookaburras as 400 people attended the semi formal Saturday night event to listen to 'Sheeds' talk about footy and life in general. Things had really come a long way. The following year 2005 would see the Kookaburras again set a tough schedule with both MAAFL games and many challenge games to play in. The Kookaburras would play on a new field south of the city at Creel Park to attempt to reduce some costs. The first game of the year would be another first for footy in the USA as the Kookaburras hosted the Reading UK Kangaroos for the Atlanta International Aussie Rules Football Cup. The Kangaroos were to win that game but from the weekend a strong partnership was formed with the visitors from across the pond and we would partially return the favor by taking a group of players over there in pre season of 2006 for a return event. The 2005 season would be an even one with a 7-9 win/loss record. The Lady Kookaburras were formed this year and although just playing pick up games during the year fronted up to the Nationals as hot favorites. The Lady Kookas played great footy at their first try and after a tough battle with Florida Fusion, a team made of players from all over, the Kookaburras were crowned inaugural National Champions. In 2006 the wheel had almost turned a full circle as Mike Powers the founder of the club was appointed as head coach. Although Mike had led many teams into battle in the early days he had never officially been called the club coach. The Kookas were however to have a tough year on the field with only three wins and eleven losses. At the National Championships the Kookas joined with the Milwaukee Bombers to field a team in Div 3 and would take just one win for the weekend. The Lady Kookaburras however continued their unbeaten run through 2006 and were the first women's team to go on the road and play challenge games. Defeating Florida and Milwaukee by huge margins during the year the Lady Kookas went to the Nationals again as hot favorites. They were to confront Milwaukee and Florida again for easy wins but then face another pick-up team called the Pacific Coast Highway. The Lady Kookaburras were equal to the task though and again took home the trophy and retained their unbeaten record. Barry Collins became the first non-Australian to win the Kookaburras Best and Fairest award and amazingly Eva McNelis would make it an Irish double by winning the women's MVP trophy. Eva Mc Nelis had returned to Ireland by the end of the year after several months study in Atlanta.
As we look forward through 2007 we can see the Kookaburras building slowly on their successes and the local development. The expansion into women's footy and juniors will further progress the sport in Atlanta. There are plenty of challenges each year but the club has laid down a solid history of being competitive and willing to go that extra step. Please join with me and make the Atlanta Kookaburras the best Aussie Rules Club in the USA. Watch us go! Wayne Kraska President 2004-2007
|
