World Footy News

The Odense Lions in Denmark have used their off-season very wisely, recruiting a new head coach for both the Lions men’s team and the Lionesses women’s team. They have also been recruiting players that will take them the next step towards being a power in the DAFL.

 

The following article comes from the Lions’ website detailing their recruiting ahead of the new season.

 

The new head coach of Odense, Gerard Lenihan, who goes by the name Lenny, is far from unfamiliar with Australian football. He has gained experience from around the world and even played semi-professionally in Australia. To understand this passionate, Irish warrior, and how he was Odense's new coach, we must look back to when Lenny was even introduced to our sport.

 

 

 

Before Lenny fell for Australian football, he cultivated a sport called hurling. An old, hockey-like sport is most widespread in Ireland. Due to his performance in this sport, he was invited to try Australian football. The invitation came from the former president of Kenmore Bears, an AFL club in Brisbane, Australia. The invitation came with the message "you have an AFL player's characteristics." He accepted the challenge and turned up for a trial without any experience of Australian football. It was also the first time Lenny had an oval ball in his hands. This is a good example of a man who is not afraid of new challenges and the unknown. Traits that also led him to choose the role of Odense's head coach.

 

Lenny did not have to wait long for his first major football superstar moment. His talent and hard work made him in 2011 was selected for Ireland's national team that participated in the world championships in football in Australia. Along with his Irish teammates, he played in the World Cup final against Papua New Guinea on the biggest stage in Australia, with capacity for 100,000 spectators. Not only Lenny played every minute of the final, he also won the title with his team, and took the trophy back to Ireland.

 

Following the success of the national team, Lenny continued his football career. Here he found himself in both Chile Boston in the United States and China, where he was involved in the training and organization of Australian football. Odense is therefore not only a very experienced coach, but a coach who has been involved in the development of clubs and introduction of our sport to people who do not win an oval football. He can lift both our teams, both the men participating in the Danish Australian Football League, and the women in the Women's Nordic Australian Football League.

 

It is clear that our new head coach will bring energy and experience to Odense. This is a giant step in Australian football history in Odense. We hope it will make the experience for our members even better. 2016 looks to be an excellent season with a new track, new coach and new players.

 

In addition to their new Lions’ coach, the highly experienced Gavin Ward has been named coach of the Lionesses team for 2016, bringing another layer of welcome know-how to the club’s coaching ranks. They have also recruited a former QAFL player in Tom Ielasi, a midfielder/forward who played for the Western Magpies in Queensland and will bring his experience to the club in an on-field capacity.

 

Their new ruckman is also from Australia, and the club introduced him on their fanpage as: "Australian Football in Odense is happy to announce another addition to the coaching staff and our DAFL squad for 2016. Justin Kristensen has booked his flight to Denmark and is looking to join us on the 16th of February. Justin is an 29 year old Australian with more than 20 years of football experience from his former club East Brighton in the southern part of Australia. Everyone in Odense are very excited about the deal with Justin Kristensen, being an tall player with a strong physique and many years of experience in the ruck where he will surely strengthen the team. Justin will work with head coach Gerard Lenihan and share his experience with the rest of the team in Odense and help us improve and develop our great club. The 2016 season can't come fast enough now"

 

 

After enduring a winless 2015 season, the Lions have certainly set about the task of resurrecting the club’s fortunes for 2016 on and off the field.