I have been waiting for this one for years! Nicole Demers is the highest ranking woman at any team in the CPL! In this time of exploding growth of Women in Sport, it is great to see such an amazing pioneer right here in our backyard running a pro team. And yes, we do talk about growing the women’s game too! See is talented, dedicated and so proud of her team of professionals. I can’t help but want to cheer her on. I hope you feel the same way after this episode. I learned, grew and was entertained. Thank Nicole!
Got to talk to an icon of Forge FC today - of course he kept it humble and I went overboard - but hey, who wouldn’t! Yes the one and only, Tristan Borges is on the show! He was lovely, pensive, funny and engaging. He opened up about soccer, and life as a pro, and I am so happy to have been there for it. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!
The Hammer of Sparx hots up a second straight day of training, but this time we talk to a returning player, and a newly arrived one afterwards!
He may seem shy and unassuming, but Forge’s Right Back hardly seems like that on the pitch. Come get to know a young man who is ready to accept a bigger role, and make it his!
Sitting down to chat with Matteo Schiavoni was a blast. He is a Forge player through and through. We get to find out what it was like getting to where he is now. From being coached by family, to making it to CF Montreal’s Academy, then on to Italy and finally to the Pinnacle of the Game - Forge FC. Ok, maybe we aren’t quite there yet. But don’t tell Matteo this is just a loan stop in a development league. He is here with a purpose.
Time to sit down with a young star in the making. Malik is ready to step out of the shadows. He’s been here for a couple years, and he has announced himself in some big games with big performances. Get to know a little more about him, like how he maintains his flexibility, how close he was to a dance career (not very) and what makes him a sure fire future favourite in Hamilton. (If he isn’t all ready)
Young, inexperienced in the pro ranks and facing an absolute juggernaut in the region in a continental tournament. Mere mortals would probably discover that this the appropriate time to poop themselves most likely. But that is not what Chris Kalongo did. He stepped up, as always. And he is ready to do it all year, even with the talent behind him pushing him all the way. There is a lot to be proud of about this team, (Forge FC), and this league (The CanPL), and especially a lot to be proud of in this young man. Come in and check this podcast out. (And with Chris' blessing, I'd like to add this link for donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada Alzheimer Society of Canada )
Miles joins the Hammer of Sparx Pod to talk about being a draft pick; what it takes to shift from being the man, to being just another guy; and how life’s ups and downs are all just part of the journey. I love this episode because Miles has helped grow the Hamilton Soccer scene with his both his play and choices. And I am grateful to him for being an inspiration and great guy to chat with. Come along and find out what I mean.
A frosty February day but the Hammer of Sparx Pod is just getting warmed up. Jordan Hamilton and Dom Samuel take the time to talk as they step off the training pitch. Are they ready for the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament to start? Are you? I know I am. Let's get fired up on this episode of the Hammer of Sparx
A really solid episode if I do say so myself! Noah Jensen talks to us about a celebrated college life, going from fan to first team and what it means to be a Forge player. He has a ton of experience for someone so young and is one of the real standard bearers for the league in my opinion. Smart, funny and contemplative. You owe it yourself to get to know Noah.
Yo! We got the one and only David Choiniere on the podcast! Yeah that David Choiniere, the guy who scores in the biggest games, like the Finals or at the Azteca. But we dug deep to get to the important stuff. How did he know soccer was the game for him? Why did he roll the dice on a start-up league and then double-down when his contract was up? Does he like the Choiniere song the supporters sing when he scores? We get to the nitty-griity on Season Two's first episode. So join us!
The Hammer of Sparx is back. We've learned that soccer podcasting has a bit of a learning curve. This year we are better than ever, which is a bit of a low bar, because last year we were fighting just to keep the cat out of the "studio" and learning the craft in just about every significant way imaginable. But we still managed to create some compelling conversations with local soccer icons. And this year is gearing up to be even better. Have a listen to our little 2024 Season Primer. We are planning to add to our lineup of Forge player interviews with a few other pieces and projects. But the main draw remains the same, fun, intimate and honest conversations with some of Forge's finest. So please tune in to this shorty episode to find out what lies ahead. I really think you'll be glad you did. Now hurry up and get here April! (No wait, hurry up and get here Concacaf Cup, right? One step at a time!)
Terran Campbell has one season down with Forge. How is he fitting in? What does he do with his down time? How does he stay focused on the prize when he is already a 2x CPL Champ and one of the all-time goal scorers in league history? You'll have to tune in to find out. Hint: He is a really cool guy. I enjoyed sitting down and finding out more about this young man, one of the few interviews I've had with someone who started his soccer journey in Beautiful BC. (Don't take it easy on your 'home' team next match Terran!)
Get hyped for Derby Day with a little after practice catch up with Kyle Bekker (Finally got him!) and Ashtone Morgan. The glamorous life of footballers and getting ready for York!
Today we go a different route. The executive path. The Hammer of Sparx sits down with Forge FC's Jelani Smith to get a taste for what it means to work behind the scenes building a champion. And while he gives all credit to Bobby's coaching and the boys getting it done on the field, he deserves his share of credit for doing what it takes to allow everyone to focus on the footy. We talk growing up as a footy player, seeing the world thanks to the beautiful game, the decision to go behind the pitch and how Guyana has benefitted from Jelani's footy prowess. A little bit of everything here. I really enjoyed this look at the game from a different viewpoint. And I also want to shout out Nico Correa at Forge for making this possible so quickly. I hope you enjoy this one.
Hey. As the Hammer of Sparx tries to put some great new interviews together, here is something to snack on. If you like these little quick hitters, let us know. Opportunities to speak to players in the wild (at practice) are fun for the Pod, and if they are fun for you, the listener, they'll keep coming. Today we have Jordan Hamilton dropping some environmental tips and early urgency, and Miles Green on what it means to be with Forge. Enjoy!
The Hammer of Sparx finally gets to sit down with Dom Samuel, Forge FC Centre Back and so much more. Dom has an amazing story about his journey to the CPL. He has played for some of the radar teams with great names (The Penman, The Seacoast Phantoms, The Rochester Rhinos R.I.P). His pathway to the CPL is a cool one, and a road less travelled. But he has something in common with most Forge players. He was always a winner. Dive into our discussion with Dom.
This episode I got to sit down with Alexander Achinioti Jonsson and talk footy. Alex explains the education system in Sweden, academy football, what it's like to play in some of Sweden's most storied derbies and the vagaries of life in soccer. Alex is really down-to-earth and direct. You can see what a team player he is and why fans and teammates alike love him (just check out the reception they gave him when he won Defender of the Year for 2022). I didn't pull out my 'A' game for this interview, but the consummate professional on the pitch or in an inteview, Alex lifted the team, as always. Enjoy the Hammer of Sparx Pod, Ask Alex edition. (Can you tell I'm star struck?)
*Bonus Episode, two drops in one week! Daniel Krutzen is arguably the best defender in Forge FCs relatively short history. (Don't hate me David Edgar, and I see you too Dom) But he has scored clutch goals. Made a mark on the fandom. Come back from critical injury only to swiftly return to the sidelines with the next one. But also to eventually find Hollywood-style redemption. However, like all players, there's more to Daniel's story than what's on the pitch. There's a strong familial foundation. A sense of wanderlust. And, of course, an abiding awe for the Wonder of the Modern World that is - a WalMart. Join Daniel on the Hammer of Sparx Pod for a nice talk as he prepares to set off on his next adventure with Phoenix Rising FC.
The Hammer of Sparx sits down with Chris Nanco - Forge FC forward (currently in limbo) to talk about soccer in Canada, those Sigma and Syracuse days, how his sweet barber skills turned entrepreneurial, leaving a legacy and more. This is a pretty chill episode, but it is full of really great connections and introspection from a really good footballer and great person. Enjoy.