Starling was recruited under the AFL’s International Scholarship Scheme, which will allow him to train with the Swans and also complete his four year degree in Florida.

If everything progress as expected, Starling will be recruited to the Swans’ list as an international rookie in 2013.

Naturally, the question then is, who will be Scandinavia’s first recruit to the AFL? Or has there already been one – let me know if so!

Read more on the AFL’s article Swans sign US basketballer.

This Saturday is the season opening double-header ANZAC clash between Södermalm and Årsta, with the first bounce at 12:00 11:30. The Last Post will be played before the match as we honour and remember all those who served and died in military operations for their countries.

Årsta players, please arrive at the ground at 10:30 to help setup the field, prepare the BBQ and get warmed up. Directions to the ground here. We are hosting the BBQ after the match, so hang around, have a burger and watch the 2nd match – Solna vs Bromma.

Bring your friends and family down and enjoy a great day out!

Unfortunately, the weather on the weekend meant we couldn’t play the scheduled practice match against the Nth London Lions, however, the season starts in one and a half weeks, so it’s vital everyone gets down to training, gets their hands on the ball, gets some miles into their legs and gets around their team mates.

See you there.

It’d be great to see all Årsta players get along and have a kick – season’s almost started so this’ll be a great chance to get some miles into your legs and get the body used to footy again.

The match begins at 13:00 at Årstafältet (how to get to Årstafältet). Players should get there at 12:00 to warm up. There’ll be a BBQ as usual after the game. All welcome – players, girlfriends & all other friends. Check out the Stockholm Dynamite Facebook page for more info.

If you’re keen to play, get in touch via the Dynamite Facebook page.

The draft 2012 Season Fixture has been sent to all players to save the dates & plan vacations around. We’ll have a meeting soon to sort out board details, all financial details (including what membership will cost and what it gives you). We need to work out which BBQ’s we’re running and what other events need planning. Heck, we’ll even give the website an overhaul before the season starts.

Speak up if you have any ideas or can help out.

Stay tuned!

Årsta Swans undoubted star player, Rob Young, took home the prize for Best Australian Player in the SAFF for 2011, polling the most votes over the course of the year. Votes were given after each match by the field umpire and by both team’s coaches and Rob’s outstanding year was rightly recognised by all, both the voters, opposition and team mates alike.

After the 10-round season, Rob had polled 22 votes and secured the Lars Hagberg medal. Truth be told, Rob actually tied for the award with Bromma Viking’s goal-machine, Steve Edwards. Unfortunately Steve couldn’t accept his award in person, as he was lazing by a pool somewhere in Australia sipping pina coladas, or so rumour had it.

Congratulations to Falun’s Henrik Andersson on winning the SAFF’s Best Non-Australian Player in 2011, in only his first season – a truly amazing effort in anyone’s books!

Earlier in the evening

As has been the custom, The Oxen restaurant in Stockholm hosted the SAFF Awards Evening, with some great food and drink and of course, the evening was MC’d by Ryan Kingsley. Each of the five teams’ coaches gave us an insight into the workings of each team; Coach Wiese was first out of the blocks and made the team truly proud.

SAFF All-Star Select

We can’t report on the evening without covering the All-Star Select team for 2011. Årsta had three very worthy representatives – Peter “The General” Hammarström, Mats “The Bulldog” Sundin and Jon “The Terrier” Högman.

Mats and Hammar both had a great 2011 season, continued their fantastic work of the last two years and really took their games to the next level. Jon had an unbelievable first year of Aussie Rules, leaving his opponents running scared with his ferocious attacks on the ball (and sometimes man) and breaking-the-line running. With guys like these tearing the game apart, look out 2012, the Årsta Swans are coming!

Congratulations again to Rob, Mats, Hammar and Jon.

Live at The Liffey

Come and watch the AFL Grand Final with a full audience in a great pub in Gamla Stan, with great staff willing to open up to us at 6am in the morning.

Doors to the pub will open at 6am, with the telecast of the coverage commencing immediately. The first bounce is scheduled at 6:30am.

Following the game there will be live Rugby World Cup matches shown – England vs Scotland, and Australia vs. Russia. It’s going to be an awesome day.

PRE BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL via the Solna Axemen website