The club is notable as being the first and currently only Australian rules football club to represent the city of Ottawa.
The Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club played 3 exhibition games in 2007 before becoming a not-for-profit society in 2008. It entered the AFL Ontario (OAFL) as a member team in 2008, playing home games on a pitch built in the infield of the Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa's south end.
The inaugural team of the Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club was led on the field by captain Steve Spurrell and coached by Richard Keane, who also played in the majority of games.
The Swans' first victory (as part of the Ontario Australian Football League) occurred on 11 July 2009 in the 3rd annual Canada Day Cup. The Swans defeated the Guelph Gargoyles 13.8.86 to 3.7.25 at the Rideau Carleton Raceway. It took the Swans 20 games to get their first win (13 losses in the first season and 6 in the second).
The Swans posted their first away victory in round 10 of the 2009 season against the High Park Demons at Humber College North. The final score was 12.6.78 to 3.7.25 .
2012 saw the introduction of the women's team, finishing a very successful inaugural season in 2nd spot[1] after the home and away season and 3rd overall after being defeated by the Hamilton Wildcats in the second week of finals.[2]
The Swans' Men's first finals (post-season) berth occurred in season 2013 after finishing the season in 5th spot.[3] They were defeated in the first round Elimination Final by the Toronto Rebels 5.10-40 to 1.9-15[4]
In season 2014, the Swans women's squad won the first premiership in the club's history, defeating the Hamilton Wildcats in the Grand Final 7.9.51 to 2.2.14.[5]
For the 2015 season the Women's team joined AFL Quebec, a 9-a-side competition, and split their team in two, competing as the Carleton Warriors and Rideau Shamrocks. The Men's team remained in AFL Ontario. The Carleton Warriors went on the win back to back Premierships in 2015 & 2016.
2018 saw the Ottawa Swans Men's team win their maiden premiership. This was due to the leadership of "Rocket" Frank, Nathan Strom and Matt Powell who were instrumental in building a competitive culture and recruiting Canadian players. After a perfect season having won all 12 regular season games, the Swans won all three finals including the Grand Final over the 2017 premiers the Toronto Eagles at Humber College South 10.10 70 - 6.5 41.[6] The Women's side fought hard all season in their return to the AFLO. They took the battle to the Roos in the Grand Final, but lost.
In 2019, the Ottawa Swans Men's team continued to find success, winning all their regular season games and final matches en route to hard-fought victory against the Hamilton Wildcats to claim back to back Premierships.[7] The Women's team put together an impressive regular season with only one loss but were not able to replicate their finals magic.
In 2020/2021, the AFL Ontario season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]
In 2024, the Pony Platter, a preseason exhibition tournament, expanded further to include the New York Magpies, Boston Demons, High Park Demons, and Edmonton AFC in addition to the Quebec Saints and Nova Scotia Pirates. This expansion also led to the introduction of a second playing field.
The Swans introduced a new Indigenous jersey in collaboration with Kanyen’keha Artist Kory Parkin, which was unveiled at their Home Opener on June 8, 2024, during their designated Indigenous Round. A Pre-Game ceremony was held with a land acknowledgement and song from Mr. Greg Meekis, an Ojibway Cree from Sandy Lake First Nation, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Resource Coordinator with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, following by Anishinabe Hoop dancer Mekhena performing.[8][9]
The Women's+ side finished the season with an undefeated record, the first in the AFLO comp since 2015. The Swans would defeat the Hamilton Wildcats in the Grand Final.[2]
Club awards
(Men's) Best & Fairest
(Men's) Runner Up Men
(Women's) Best & Fairest
(Women's) Runner Up Women
Life Members
2024
Ben Stanzel
Tristan Picketts & James Young
Lannie Richardson
Vivian Nguyen
Amanda Paradis & Rod Frank
2023
James Clock
Riley Turpin
Caroline Leduc
Briana Fayad
2022
Jordan Harcombe
James Clock
Charlotte Biot
Caroline Leduc
Emma Dickinson & Jacob Plunkett-Latimer
2019
Cory Townder
Cameron Brown
Holly Vachon
Charlotte Biot
Greg Simpson & Nathan Strom & Matthew Powell
2018
Cameron Ralph
Cameron Brown
Vivian Nguyen
Rebecca Rousseau
Michael Beall & Joel Dawes & Yaser Abou Elenein
2017
Nathan Strom
Greg Bridges
Anke Patzelt
Holly Vachon
2016
Alex Huard, Blair Oliver, Nathan Strom
Greg Bridges
Vivian Nguyen
Holly Vachon
2015
Nathan Strom
Joel Crummins
Holly Costanza
Vivian Nguyen
Lisa Dalla Rosa
2014
Tom Stafford
Joel Crummins
Aimee Legault
Vivian Nguyen
Alp Oran
2013
Nathan Strom
Brendan Woods
Emma Dickinson
Kirsten Bodashefsky
Chris Lockhart
2012
Darren Roffey
Mike Kozlowski
Emma Dickinson
Holly Costanza
Christopher MacLean
2011
Darren Roffey
Blake Hurley
2010
Darren Roffey
Ryan Gregory
Tammy Bowen & Corey Bowen
2009
Luke Walsh
Darren Roffey & Richard Keane
Ray Kaduck
2008
Luke Walsh
Darren Roffey
Steve Spurrell & Richard Keane
(Men's) Rookie Of The Year
(Women's) Rookie Of The Year
2024
James Young
Lannie Richardson
2023
Clarence Gay
Isabel Kleinbub
2022
Matthew Makin
Evaline Harmsen
2019
Geoff Coventry
Filssan Houssein
2018
Brent Williams & Riley Joseph
Erica Saabath
2017
Greg Layman
Krystal Novac
2016
Pablo Juarez
Belinda Wozniak
2015
Ian Baldwin
Kelly Cambridge
2014
Jordan Hardcombe
Lauren Stoot
2013
Brendan Woods
Roberta Kramchynsky
2012
Tyler MacLellan
2011
Thomas Delaney
2010
Jay Goldhawk
2009
Ryan Nader & Sean Robertson-Tait
2008
Ryan Gregory
(Men's) Most Consistent
(Women's) Most Consistent
2024
Andrew MacDonald
Isabel Kleinbub & Amanda Irwin
2023
Corey Herrington
Filssan Houssein
2022
Joshua La Porta
Kyla Borden
2019
Yaser Abou Elenein & Joshua La Porta
Margaret Werniuk
2018
Cameron Brown
Lisa Dalla Rosa
2017
Cameron Brown
Holly Vachon
2016
Morgan Whyte
Vivian Nguyen
2015
Morgan Whyte
Vivian Nguyen
2014
Darren Roffey & Matthew Powell
Aimee Legault
2013
Nathan Strom
Catherine Geci
2012
Darren Roffey
Holly Costanza
2011
Darren Roffey
2010
Darren Roffey
2009
Darren Roffey
2008
Richard Keane
(Men's) Best Canadian
Men's Best in Finals
Women's Best in Finals
2024
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
2023
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
2022
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
2019
Greg Bridges/Mic Masek
Cameron Brown
Kristina Bromley
2018
Jordan Harcombe
Nathan Strom
Erica Saabath
2017
Mic Masek
2016
Morgan Whyte
2015
Nathan Strom
2014
Guy Joel Rocher
2013
Mike Kozlowski
2012
Mike Kozlowski
2011
Mike Kozlowski/Jay Goldhawk
2010
Chris Peck
2009
Chris Lockhart
2008
Jake Plunkett-Latimer
(Men's) Best Defender
(Women's) Best Defender
2024
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
2023
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
2022
Corey Herrington
Michelle Huard
2019
Lachie Brown
Harmony Sluiman
2018
Michelle Huard
2017
Alana Sluiman
2016
Nathalie Presseau
2015
Kelly Cambridge
2014
Catherine Geci
(Men's) Most Improved
(Women's) Most Improved
2024
2023
Andrew MacDonald
Kyla Borden
2022
Michael Masek
Leah McNamee
2019
Greg Layman
Charlotte Biot
2018
Mic Masek
Margret Werniuk
2017
Derek Picketts
Courtney Diotte
2016
Michael Beall
Beth Sheffield
2015
Alex Huard
Margaret Werniuk
2014
Bogdan Rotaru
Vivian Nguyen
2013
Jake Plunkett-Latimer
Holly Costanza
2012
Alec Campbell
2011
Mike Kozlowski
2010
Chris Peck/Ryan Nader
2009
Zac Plunkett-Latimer
2008
Chris Lockhart
(Men's) Goalkicking Award
(Women's) Goalkicking Award
2024
Geoffrey Coventry
Amanda Irwin
2022
Geoffrey Coventry (11)
Caroline Leduc (5)
2022
Jordan Harcombe (9)
Caroline Leduc (3)
2019
Cory Townder (31)
Amanda Smith
2018
Jordan Harcombe (31)
Krystal Novac (15)
2017
Matthew Powell
Amanda Paradis & Holly Vachon
2016
Matthew Powell (31)
Belinda Wozniak
2015
Matthew Powell & Nathan Strom (18)
Holly Costanza (22)
2014
Tom Stafford (26)
Aimee Legault (7)
2013
Mike Kozlowski (21)
Kirsten Bodashefsky (12)
2012
Darren Roffey (20)
Emma Dickinson (17)
2011
Ryan Gregory (17)
2010
Corey Bowen (19)
2009
Darren Roffey (17)
2008
Darren Roffey (21)
(Men's) Keane's Coach's Award
(Women's) Coach's Award
2024
Mathew Makin
Charlotte Biot
2023
Tristan Picketts
Evaline Harmsen
2022
Paul Barron
Filssan Houssein
2019
Soman Panigrahi
Michelle Huard
2018
Greg Bridges
Michelle Huard
2017
Greg Bridges
Harmony Sluiman
2016
Greg Bridges
Holly Vachon
2015
Michael Beall
Lisa Dalla Rosa
2014
Joel Crimmins
Brier Dodge
2013
Jack Beardmore/Andrew Wilson
Emma Dickinson
2012
Charles Bernard
Meghan Haycock
2011
David Martin
2010
Jay Goldhawk
2009
Zac Plunkett-Latimer
2008
Seth Potter
(Men's) Players Player
(Women's) Players Player
2024
Olivier Trembley
Evaline Harmsen
2023
Not Awarded
Not Awarded
2022
Greg Bridges
Charlotte Biot
Volunteer of the Year Award
2024
Connor Adair & Evaline Harmsen
2023
Brendan Boucher
2022
Yaser Abou Elenein
2019
Rob Harbic
2018
Pablo Juarez & Michelle Huard
2017
Amanda Paradis
2016
Lisa Dalla Rosa
2015
Alp Oran
2014
Charles Bernard
2013
Alp Oran
2012
Rob Paradis
2011
Benjamin Birt
2010
2009
Rob Duncan
2008
Tammy Bowen & Lisa Dalla Rosa
League awards
(Men's) OAFL Grand Final Best and Fairest
Grand Final Best and Fairest
2024 Lannie Richardson (AFLO)
2018 Pat Eefting (AFLO)
2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
2015 Ash Scott (AFLQ)
Best and Fairest
2024 Filssan Houssein (AFLO)
2022 Jordan Harcombe (AFLO)
2019 Cory Townder (AFLO)
2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
2014 Tom Stafford (AFLO)
Leading Goalkicker
2024 Amanda Irwin (AFLO)
2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
Canadian Best and Fairest
2023 RIley Turpin (AFLO)
2018 Jordan Harcombe (AFLO)
2015 Nathan Strom (AFLO)
Most Improved Player
2016 Dora Bartulovic (AFLQ)
Rookie Of The Year
2024 Lannie Richardson (AFLO)
2018 Brent Williams (AFLO)
2016 Belinda Wozniak (AFLQ)
2012 Emma Dickinson (AFLO)
2008 Ryan Gregory (AFLO)
Coach Of The Year
2019 Nathan Strom (AFLO)
2019 Greg Simpson (AFLO)
2018 Matthew Powell (AFLO)
(Men's) OAFL All-Star Team
2024 Ben Stanzel, Mathew Makin
2023 James Clock (Wing), Riley Turpin (Wing)
2022 Corey Herrington (CHB), Greg Bridges (HBF), James Clock (Wing), Geoff Coventry (HFF), Jordan Harcombe (FF), Michael Masek (I/C), Greg Bridges (assistant coach)
2019 John O'Connor, Cory Townder, Cameron Brown (VC), Greg Bridges, Mic Masek, Nathan Strom (coach)
2018 Jordan Harcombe, Alex Huard, Cameron Ralph, Cameron Brown, Mic Masek, Morgan Whyte, Nathan Strom, Matthew Powell (coach)
2017 Nathan Strom (Captain - HF), Jordan Harcombe (R), Ronan Shaughnessy (Bench), Morgan Whyte (Back), Matthew Powell (assistant coach)
2016 Nathan Strom (VC), Alex Huard (I/C), Morgan Whyte (Ruck), Ronan Shaughnessy (midfield), Blair Oliver (HF), Rod Frank (assistant coach)
2015 Nathan Strom (VC) (HFF), Jordan Harcombe, Ronan Shaughnessy
2014 Nathan Strom, Mike Kowzlowski, Ronan Shaughnessy, Tom Stafford, Rod Frank (assistant coach)
2013 Mike Kowzlowski (HF), Nathan Strom (Wing), Ronan Shaughnessy (I/C) Rod Frank (assistant coach)
2012 Mike Kozlowski (CHB)
2011 Chris Peck (Bench)
2008 Ryan Gregory (Bench)
(Men's) OAFL Canadian All-Ontario Team
2017 Nathan Strom (Captain - HF), Jordan Harcombe (R), Ronan Shaughnessy (HB), Morgan Whyte (HB), Matthew Powell (assistant coach)
