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 entertain...
Jul 10, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 23
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!
Jun 14, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 22
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!
Jun 13, 2024•5 min
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!
Jun 10, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 21
I got a chance to start my staycation early with a seat in the sunshine to watch Forge FC prepare for battle this weekend versus Vancouver FC. The team looked good. Practice was very competitive. And Bobby was in good voice! Overall they built the hype for the weekend for me as they put some finishing touches on their tactics. We got some sound bites from Alex and Tristan as well. Enjoy!
May 16, 2024•5 min
School days have come to Forge FC. The team launched their School Day Game and to call it a rousing success would be a huge understatement. Today the Hammer of Sparx is joined by a student who made the most of her day. We talk to Sadie Jett, a young fan of the Forge. She tells us what made the day so great from a unique perspective. We also get our first correspondent's interview on the pod as we talk to another student - and Forge in-stadium and digital star - Mackenzie Barwell. We also get a c...
May 14, 2024•11 min
On this episode of the Hammer of Sparx, we talk to Tom Walker. Tom went from fan to behind the scenes business manager. He is living a dream as he works to bring together the larger community and the team he loves and works for, Forge FC We discuss being born into footy fandom, how he transitioned from fan to staff, what his biggest challenges have been at the club, as well as the biggest successes. Welcome in to a peek behind the curtains at the Canadian premier League's most successful club, a...
May 08, 2024•39 min
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.
Apr 26, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 18
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)
Apr 21, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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 ...
Apr 16, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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.
Feb 13, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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
Feb 06, 2024•5 min
What is it like to be a young start in a new league who's been planning his career since the age most of us were eating paste in the back of the classroom? Join me today for my chat with Kwasi Poku to find out. Here is a young man who has jumped in to the fray with a first ever appearance against a Mexican Juggernaut. He has travelled to Europe to improve his game and played some huge games in big Canadian academies. He is what Soccer in Canada is all about. Come along and learn a little more ab...
Feb 06, 2024•28 min
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.
Jan 30, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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!...
Jan 24, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 plan...
Jan 21, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 1
What a coup for the hammer of Sparx. On this Episode the podcast expands its reach with an interview with former canadian Men's National Team Player p- Tesho Akindele. Tesho talks to us about his time with the national team and the opportunities it provided him. He connects with us over his relationships with Forge players he met while playing for Canada: Jordan Hamilton, Manjrekar James, Ashtone Morgan and of course Kyle Bekker. We also get to hear about Tesho's unlikely pathway to professional...
Jun 14, 2023•39 min
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' te...
May 19, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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!
May 05, 2023•3 min
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...
May 05, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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!
May 02, 2023•5 min
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.
Apr 17, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Welcome back to the Hammer of Sparx Pod, it has been a while. Ever wonder what it would be like to win a Quebec Cup, A PLSQ Championship, a North Star Shield and start a Concacaf Champion's League game all by the time you were 23? Wonder no more, Garven Metusala is gonna tell you all about it. And of course he's done all that while staying down-to-earth, positive, kind and humble. It almost makes you wonder if he can be real. (He is!) Join the podcast to hear all about it, find out what the name...
Apr 07, 2023•34 min
Kwame Awuah former NYCFC player, Forge superstar and podcaster took time to hang out on the Hammer of Sparx pod and talk about his career. He has done so much in a relatively short time. From rubbing shoulder with the Rich and Famous in the city that never sleeps, to winning Championships in the Ambitious City by way of Central American runs and CPL stories. He is fun, funny and has a no holds -barred style of conversation. So enjoy Kickin' it with Kwame.
Mar 13, 2023•39 min
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...
Mar 03, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5
So excited to have had the opportunity to talk to the 'keeper, Triston Henry. But it was not exactly what I expected, it was so much more. Triston is a fun guy to talk to and cheer on as a supporter. But he is unflinchingly honest too. And I was treated to some deeply heartfelt answers to questions about his pathway, barriers and frustrations as well as his dreams and accomplishments. Soccer is an awesome game, and it is growing exponentially in Canada. But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact th...
Jan 31, 2023•32 min
*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....
Jan 26, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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.
Jan 25, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 2
The Hammer of Sparx sits down with Anthony Novak - Canadian Pro footballer and two-time CPL Champion with Forge FC, and big game player on the continental scene in Concacaf. Anthony chats with us about THE injury, the importance of the CPL, teeth cleanings, livin' that cobblestone life and just how great it is to play footy for a living...including being willing to follow that dream into jungles if necessary. (Rainforests are jungles, right? Whatever this is a footy pod, a Sir David Attenborough...
Jan 11, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 1
