In the build-up to the inaugural Australian Dodgeball Premier League season, we’ll be giving the public an insight into some of our players from the various ADPL Clubs. In our first interview, we chat to Elliot Dawson, vice-captain of the Mixed Dodgeroos in Manchester. We discuss all things dodgeball, including future ambitions and life outside the game.
Personal Life |
Sportsperson you love / loved watching the most? Brett Lee. Menacing and yet always played in the right spirit. True story, I even pretended to be Brett Lee at a kids cricket coaching clinic once when a kid thought I was him. Those kids were in awe until someone said “hey, aren’t you in West Indies right now? And, Brett Lee is right handed”. Thanks kid, you ruined my moment.
First job held? Kid – Selling chestnuts on a roadside. Adult – Timber yard worker.
Current occupation? Store manager at Mitre 10.
How would your best friend describe you? Annoyingly (and hopefully lovingly) smart assed.
Favourite sports? Ice hockey. Go Pittsburgh! (Pre 2016 bandwagon).
Favourite food? Pizza. Gummi style.
Favourite TV show? Lost and Survivor.
Favourite quote? Anything Dillon says to Glenn Backx.
A household chore you hate? Ironing my cutlery.
On The Court |
How long have you been playing dodgeball? In September, 2013 we were holidaying at the snow in New Zealand. Some of Kat’s (my wife) school mates were representing Australia in the foam world championships, so we went to watch, expecting it to be hilarious. It was surprisingly intense and looked a lot of fun, and seeing that my entire childhood was spent throwing things at people (and throwing lemons on a farm at passing traffic…), I decided it was fate that I found a sport that rewarded this. I pulled my indoor cricket team out of their league and switched over to dodgeball and lost our first game 19-1, cried myself to sleep for several months, and then never looked back.
Being a member of the 2016 Mixed Dodgeroos squad, how did you find your time in Manchester? Were you satisfied with your team’s performance? Manchester was an amazing experience all round. I’d always wanted to represent Australia at a sport, and serious back issues when I was young cut short any chance that I may or may not have ever had with cricket. So to be able to experience it, even with something as fun and random as dodgeball, was a dream come true.
For Australia’s first experience internationally with cloth balls and WDA rules, we did outstanding to come back with two thirds and a gold. The mixed team did an incredible job on court, and it was an honour to be part of the captaincy group with Meals and Sesh. We arrived without any real clue as to where we stacked up against the other teams, but to pull off wins against Northern Ireland, USA, Wales and Hong Kong, and take home the bronze was a testament to how much hard work and training the team had committed to in the lead up.
Who was your toughest opponent in Manchester? England were brutal. You could tell they had played together a lot as a team. Having said that, with more experience with the cloth balls and WDA rules, Australia (and our buddies in Malaysia) will definitely be looking to be at a similar level in future events.
Favourite teammate in the Mixed Dodgeroos? Everyone. Such a good mix of people. Every player represented the country in the right way and everyone had their moments on court to shine.
Most annoying teammate in the Mixed Dodgeroos? Brad Horsfall (for winning my Fitbit).
Best moment in your international dodgeball career? The opportunity to wear an Australian uniform and beat USA at a sport is a lifetime dream come true. I also did the biggest hit of my life on the coach of USA (sorry Ed!). Walking in with the full squad at the ceremony was pretty surreal, may have shed a tear but if anyone asks it was hay fever or something…
What are your future goals and ambitions in dodgeball? To help bring the game to a new audience and to grow the sport. The kids clinic in Manchester showed what potential the sport has to be popular amongst kids back over here. Ultimate goal is to continue having the opportunity to represent the country at the 2017 Asian Championships and 2018 World Cup. And also to beat Mitch Hartshorn in any form of stat related activity.
The ADPL is a new high performance domestic league. What are you most looking forward to about the ADPL? I really enjoy the WDA rules and the cloth ball game. I think it suits my throwing style a lot. The games are a lot more fast paced than we are used to in Australia. I’m keen to see a new batch of players experience it.
Who’s a player we should look out for in your team? I think the Sloths outfit as a whole has a great coverage across all positions. If Manning Davison can adapt to the cloth balls well he will surprise a lot of teams. I believe Sam Beard will strongly push for Australian selection in the future. Also Robert Worth and Lauren Keith are our not so secret weapons from the North.
What are your expectations for the Surrey Hills Sloths? Pre-season predictions? With a lineup built around strength across all positions, the experience of 3 players with Australian Dodgeroos representation, plus the intimidatingly beautiful hair of Glenn Backx, the Sloths will be aiming for a finish in the top few teams.
