Calgary & Edmonton & Saskatoon
| Topic: Foos on edmontonjournal.com |
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We did an interview with the Edmonton Journal earlier this morning, and its up on the front page of the Edmontonjournal.com site. You can also follow this link to the direct video: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Canadian+Foosball+Champions/6067644/story.html I felt really stupid doing the interview for the video, compared to the one for the paper tomorrow... The only "question" he asked was: "Introduce yourself and talk about foosball" It took me a while to even think about what to say, but at least I didn't "set the scene" 7 times like Darcy!  |
Posted: Jan 28 2012 1:57PM
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Hey man, maybe if you would have taken some time to set the scene you wouldn't have felt so stupid! |
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I know it's hard though, you did good! |
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Nice open handed pull shot ! |
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I can't believe we went through that without hitting a sling shot! I left it open for Dunn really big on one possession |
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If you click on the Sports section, we are the featured story now. Article is up: EDM ONTON - Four Edmonton foosball players are hoping to raise the profile of the popular pub game, one international win at a time. In early January, Team Canada’s Darcy Scaife, Christian Dunn, Ben Wilkins and Will Stranks — along with three other Canadian players —travelled to France to compete in the World Cup of Foosball. The group returned home as second division champions, carrying with them a trophy and the honour of being gold medallists. The big win meant the team will move up to the first division and play the world’s best in next year’s cup, but it also meant Canada was given some serious props among those who love the game. “I think it’s kind of the reason we all bound together to go on this trip.” Scaife said from his home in north Edmonton. “In the end, we realized we had to get there to show the world what we can do and also to kind of help grow the sport here.” According to Scaife, a 31-year-old information technology manager, foosball is much more than a pastime enjoyed over a few brews. It’s a sport that often goes unsung, and Team Canada hopes to raise the status of foosball in the country by continuing to win competitions around the world, he said. Their ultimate goal is to bring foosball up to the level of professional pool, where it becomes more about the mental strength, strategic execution and quick reaction times. “In Europe, it’s looked at as a sport,” said 27-year-old teammate Christian Dunn. “Once you see it and the way it can be played, that sort of stigma disappears. It’s sort of just getting enough people to see it in that format and the way it can be played, as opposed to people just spinning the rods.” To reach their goal, Scaife’s kitchen has become a sort of practice pitch for the team. Instead of a dining set, there’s a grey marble table with little yellow and black figures that spin around on painted green turf. Scaife, like his six teammates, is serious about training hard and winning big. Team Canada veteran Will Stranks, 27, said the idea of professional foosball is often met with a laugh or a chuckle. But when people hear the World Cup is broadcast in Europe to 50 million homes, their reaction usually changes. “They think you’re joking, but they also think it’s pretty awesome,” Stranks said. Individually, the team members train an hour or two per day. Sometimes, when two or more of the group get together, they can spend up to nine hours testing out strategies and practising moves. Often, they also study DVDs, books, and other professional players to boost their game. “One of the comparisons is it’s like high-speed, live-action chess,” said Ben Wilkins, 24, who spent four to eight hours a day playing foosball in his first year of training. “It’s a thinking sport more than anything,” Wilkins continued. “And it’s fun to be able to show that to people.” To become a part of Team Canada, all of the members had to be voted in by tight-knit Canadian foosball community. It was a tough selection process, but Dunn hopes it becomes even tougher. “Growing the sport is big for me,” Dunn said. “The biggest thing is growing the player base.” By winning more tournaments, like the upcoming tournament they’ll be attending in Las Vegas in March, Scaife is eager to see Team Canada get more recognition and ultimately draw more interested competitors to the sport. “Having a bigger pool of players to draw from would be exciting,” he said. For more information on how you can get involved in local foosball events or even to join Team Canada in their weekly tournaments, visit EdmontonFoosball.com or CanadaFoosball.ca. |
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Simon, I did try two other closed handers, but in the end I didnt want to get stuffed on camera haha I just picked up a paper and we're on page 3 and we got a pretty good chunk of the page. I wonder if that's better than being on the sports page? Anyway, Amanda did a great job, I thought it was a good read. Wish they would have included the website or contact info in the article, but they can always google us. |
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This story was printed in the Calgary Herald this morning as well. Good stuff! |
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