The Greatest Game Ever Played - By Daniel John Skidmore

August 30, 2018 - 5 years ago

“The Greatest Game Ever Played” – By Daniel John William Skidmore.

Leading up to this cold autumnal evening in may nobody could have expected what was to come…

This is but a brief description of an encounter between top of the table Mixed Nuts and clear underdogs Unicorns FC that were lying mid table.  I will now do my upmost to portray what I witnessed on this fateful night.

As usual Mixed Nuts started well, crisp passing, movement off the ball, happy to keep the ball and build patiently towards a goal scoring opportunity. With strong centre back Georgia Kriz organising the back-line and the wonder midfield craftswoman Belinda Seers commanding the middle of pitch, Unicorns seemed to be dealing well with ongoing pressure from Mixed Nuts.

After a continued onslaught of attack Mixed Nuts broke the deadlock with a screamer of a shot (at least 12 yards out!) from Nick “The Rocket” Vale bottom left hand corner, keeper had no chance.

This seemed to spark the structured Unicorns into action, pinpoint passing from Andy Mc Clure saw the ball fall perfectly for the Croatian puppy TOMMMMMMMY KOCH! GOAL! Mixed Nuts caught napping, scores 1-1.

A real war of attrition ensued both teams unable to get a break through, driving runs from the brilliant Cait Wrigley saw the Nuts come close on a few occasions only for the incredible acrobatics of Unicorns goalkeeper Lufti Hady to deny the goal time after time.

HALF TIME 1-1

Captain, Talisman, Hero…call him what you want but it was time for Tim Judge to step outside the comfort zone and rally the troops to inspire a historical upset!... He did not let us down, Timmy judge made a controversial substitution at half time bringing on the mighty Georgie Simon. George has been known for his temper issues in the past but he seemed to have put them all behind him and commanded the team for long periods of this defiant performance. Ciara Keenaghan, remember the name! This girl is special! Quick feet, great lines of attack and a wicked right boot… the same right boot that puts “UNICORRRRRRNS” 2-1 up with 10 to go!

Mixed Nuts stunned… “COME ON NUTS” cries Steve Hickey, usually so composed at the back. The ball at his feet Steve looks up and picks out the holding midfielder Sophie Giakoumidis, she turns, carries the ball forward, sees Celia Joyce making a run in behind the defensive line, Sophie threads the ball like cotton through the eye of a needle. No space for a touch Celia hits it first time, the crowd holds their breath, its rising, rising, “ITS IN, ITS ONLY FUCKIN IN” what a goal from Celia, a real collectors item that goal!

2-2 5mins to go. GAME ON!

The momentum of the game had really changed with the goal and saw the Unicorns defending valiantly from repeated attacks from the Nuts. “An unstoppable force meets an immoveable object” this is how this game was beginning to look. Must be a draw, must be…

Both teams exhausted nearing the final whistle, a draw, a fair result… but will somebody become a hero, a thing of legend? Step up Alasdair Dolan, a magical passing move saw the whole Nuts team touch the ball, from one end of the pitch to another in a matter of seconds! A Wrigley cross sent the ball into the danger zone of the Unicorns penalty area…. Dolan leaping like a Salmon he rose above the defenders and heads the ball top bins, there was no way the keeper could have got to it! I CANT BELIEVE IT! 3-2 NUTS!

By the time the ball had stopped spinning in the back of the net it was over, the final whistle went! The teams congratulate and commiserate each other, mutual respect all round. Great game!

(Danny Skidmore – “This game was genuinely the best game I have hosted during my time at urban rec. Although competitive the game was played in the right spirit and everyone involved had the best time.)

Disclaimer – Some of the above details were slightly exaggerated or completely fabricated, but the FACT of the matter is that the game was amazing and both teams played in true Urban Rec spirit.

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Meet our members: Greg Byrne

August 28, 2018 - 5 years ago

What does Wednnesday night normally look like for you? Do you love hump day, or hate it? Well…some 100+ individuals across Sydney may argue that Wednesday night is actually the HIGHLIGHT of their week!  For this lucky bunch of people, 6pm on Wednesday nights means grabbing active-wear and excitedly making their way to Alexandria, where sport, friends (new and old), teammates, music, pub drinks and a sweet community await. 

While we only launched Wednesday night leagues at this venue a few months back, indoor soccer is already SELLING OUT, and floor hockey is quickly becoming an iconic “member experience” league, where team rosters are changed each week so members play with and against each other throughout the season, culminating in a “King of the rink” being awarded to the individual player who accumulates the most points (+1 for showing up; and +1 for being on the winning team on the night).  How fun!  Potentially even more fun than playing sport though, is that the end of the night ends with a walk across the parking lot to the local clubhouse – The Rocks Brewing Co. – for some post-game socializing.  Epic.

It was one such Wednesday night that I had the pleasure of catching up with one of Urban Rec’s long-term members – Greg.  So, I invite YOU to grab a drink, indulge and let Greg tell you a little bit about himself and why Urban Rec helps light up his week. 

Greg is a legend.  Full stop.  He started playing sport with Urban Rec about 4 years ago, and throughout his playing days, he has participated in flag gridiron, basketball and soccer teams and has subbed for dodgeball, hockey and touch football.  (PIctured above with his Flag Gridiron team). And, in his words, “I am still looking to join in for more sports…the goal for next season is 3 nights per week playing sport.”

At least 4-5 years.  I’ve played flag gridiron, basketball, soccer and subbed for dodgeball, hockey and touch footy.  And…I am still looking to join in for more sports – goal next season = 3 sports.  I joined because other sports I had played all had training during the week and games on weekend, and I prefer the more social side of this.  I was nervous to join because of my age, but everyone is so welcoming….I have now captained 2x teams and everyone is so friendly!  And I’ve also now tried sports I’ve never played before.  I also love that it is all abilities, so you don’t have to be a marathon runner or semi-pro…just purely fun.

Best thing is subbing in.  It allows you to try a new sport before you commit to a full season.  I like the social things, like the end-of-season tourneys and the blacklight dodgeball tourney…pub nights with the UrbanRec cards.

Ultimate Frisbee.  But that is a really long game -> so maybe a short version of ultimate.

4th and Schlong.

I work at a behavior school, so kids who have come out of lock-up or somewhere in-and-out in between.  Some haven’t gone to lock-up and are just not making great decisions.  But a lot are doing really good things too!

I like to think I was the class clown.  But I went through a punk phase in high school…not that my kids have ever seen any of those photos.  But I always loved sports – the traditional sports in Australia.

Party Weirdo by Maloco.

Scotch.  I mean, I drink beer more, but a really nice scotch…if I can afford one…I really enjoy it.  But maybe I shouldn’t say that…makes me sound old.  All these young kids saying beer, and I’m saying scotch.  A beer’s good too.  (smiling)

Haha…(laughing)…jeeze…you throw in some really good ones Lindsay.  Why am I wearing a sombrero?!

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New Member Perk: Secret Cities

August 20, 2018 - 5 years ago

The thing about living in a big city, is sometimes you can take it completely for granted. Instead of travelling to new and exciting locations on the weekend, you find yourself back at the local cafe, walking around the local park, day dreaming about times and places you used to visit when you were travelling. 

Well, thats me anyway. I have a major thirst for adventure, but I find myself in a proverbial rat race.

But this company is going to disrupt your (our) weekends in a very exciting way. 

“Think Amazing Race meets treasure hunt meets walking tour on RedBull. You’ll be exploring the city with your team on a high-speed race around town; finding clues, performing challenges – and searching for hidden gems that even the locals don’t know about.”

Interested? Of course you are. Secret Cities is relatively new, but very established adventure race company, and naturally Urban Rec has jumped on board for the fun-train. Cos we love this stuff!

They host monthly events at all different parts of the city and have even taken the show on tour to Canberra. 

You can book in with a team of 5, or just like Urban Rec, join as a solo person and you will be matched with a team, VOILA! New friends. 

All Urban Rec members will get a whopping 50% off team or individual registration into any one of their events. All you need to do is enter the code “URBANREC50” when booking. 

But theres more in store! Our Social Committee are planning both small and large scale events for you to join. It’s going to be buck wild, so keep an eye on our social page for upcoming events. (or head stay tuned on Facebook)

We are so pumped to have this new partner on board for all our members. You’re welcome.

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What You Need to Know About Playing Social Sport - UrbanRec

August 10, 2018 - 5 years ago

Getting (and staying) fit can get a little tedious. Gym-time, treadmills, evening runs. So why not shake it up a bit? Playing a team sport combines cardio, strength, mental alertness, fun and a fair bit of socialising, and it’ll make your morning spin class seem a little on the dull side in no time.

One way to incorporate a little team sport fun into your fitness diet is to sign up to a league with Sydney start up UrbanRec. With 25 different leagues and locations through out Sydney, and about eight more in Canberra, UrbanRec sees about 2000-3000 people playing sport with them each week. We’re not only talking about your usual staples: basketball, soccer, netball… but also neon bowling, multi-sports, and dogdeball…

The games have a focus on socialising, rather than serious competition, and UrbanRec even has a huge discounts program at local pubs so that socialising can go on after the final whistle. It’s all about balance, after all right?

We spoke to Urban Rec Managing Director (of fun) Sydneysider Madeleine Wilke about the team sports she runs in Sydney and why you should consider signing up for a league.

So, tell us, why did you want to start up Urban Rec in Sydney?
Well, I was living in Canada and playing a version of UrbanRec there, and when I returned to Australia I realised there is nothing like it here. There are plenty of sporting clubs, yes, but it was the social side and the beginner ‘friendly-ness’ that got me hooked. I needed something like Urban Rec in my life, so I built it!

Out of all the sports you offer, what’s the most popular?
It’s an even mix between soccer, netball and ‘multi-sport’. I think soccer and netball are popular because people are more familiar with them. Especially in Australia, people at least know the basics of the game, so they gravitate to that. With ‘Multi-sport’ you play in the same team, but a different sport every week. So you’re constantly trying something new, and no one is good at every single sport, so it makes things more unpredictable and fun.

Who are the kinds of people who sign up?
We find it’s young professionals. People that work full time and are settling into the daily grind. It’s a nice way to mix up the week, and jump out of your comfort zone.

What can people expect when they turn up for their first game?
The first game is easy! We have amazing staff who go out of their way to make you feel welcome. If you are signed up as an individual, one of our league managers will be onsite to introduce your team and get you settled in with an Urban Rec team tee. Each season we go through the rules like it’s the first time, so you are never singled out. Don’t be shy to admit you are a complete newbie, and even if you have played before, be open to learning the rules again. Be ready to make friends!

Is there an equal number of guys and gals signed up? Any romances?
There’s roughly 50/50 male-female ratio in UrbanRec, which is great, because it shows women love sport just as much as men! PLENTY of romances, but a lot of people sign up with their partner too. It’s something fun and different to do together and you get to see all different sides of someone when they are competing! No weddings that I am aware of yet… but plenty of long-term love.

Lastly, what’s the one thing that everyone who signs up has in common?
The right, fun-first attitude. Everyone is playing sport for the fun of it. There are so many other competitions on offer if you want to play sport seriously, and grade up. But this is not for those people. Everyone who plays is looking for some fitness, some friends, and to not take themselves too seriously.

This blog post originally appeared on Urban Sweat Sydney and was reprinted with permission. 

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