Tag: BAFANL

Focus On | Sandwell Steelers

28 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Features, Senior Football , ,

In the first part of our series taking a closer look at 2016’s MFC1 (Midland Football Conference 1) opponents we concentrate on last season’s SFC2 South Champions, the Sandwell Steelers…

The Sandwell Steelers were formed in 2013, and in their first associate game against Shropshire Revolution were defeated 42-12.

They entered the BAFA National League Central in 2014, where they would meet the Leicester Falcons, Lincolnshire Bombers, Oxford Saints and Peterborough Saxons and Shropshire Revolution,

They picked up their first competitive victory by beating the Bombers 19-14 and finished the season with a 2-8 record, but after a strong recruitment drive 2015 would be a breakout year for the team from the Midlands in the newly-aligned BAFANL NFC South 2.

2015 NFC2 South Champions

The Steelers went unbeaten on their way to the Division 2 title which included play-off victories over Leicester Falcons, Newcastle Vikings and Peterborough Saxons, and head into the 2016 with momentum well and truly on their side.

Sat April 4th vs Leeds Bobcats WON 44-0
Sun April 26th @ Leeds Bobcats WON 56-6
Sun May 3rd @ Leicester Falcons WON 22-16
Sun May 10th vs Lincolnshire Bombers WON 25-17
Sun May 24th @ Humber Warhawks WON 70-0
Sun 7th June Peterborough Saxons WON 41-14
Sun June 28th @ Lincolnshire Bombers WON 39-13
Sat July 18th vs Humber Warhawks WON 61-0
Sat July 25th vs Leicester Falcons WON 24-20
Sun August 9th @ Peterborough Saxons WON 28-24

They faced divisional rival Leicester Falcons in the quarter-final of the play-offs who they beat 21-6, and after seeing off Newcastle Vikings in the semi-final beat the Saxons in the Division Two final to clinch promotion.

Contact Details
Club Colours

The Steelers club colours are steel, black and yellow. They wear black helmets with yellow face cages, and all steel-grey uniforms.

Dates for the Diary

Sunday 10th April, Ouse Valley Eagles @ Sandwell Steelers
Sunday 22nd May, Sandwell Steelers @ Ouse Valley Eagles

Home Ground & How to Get There

The Steelers home stadium and training base is Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 0BS.

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Club Statement | Will White

Eagles
23 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football ,

On Monday (21st March) it was brought to the Committee’s attention that a series of allegations had been made against Head Coach Will White, associated with his business dealings.

Following lengthy discussions with those involved, the Committee and Will agree that it would be in the best interests of all parties for him to step away from all team-related activities for the foreseeable future, until such time as these issues are resolved.

While it is important to stress that Will denies any wrongdoing, the focus of the Club needs to be on preparing for the new season, and with that in mind Darren Hill has been named Interim Head Coach.

There will be no further statements from the Club at this time.

2016 Captains Named

14 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , , , , , ,

Linebacker Gareth Pullen, Cornerback Chris Parr, Wide Receiver Ross Hubbard and Offensive Lineman Danny Cousins have been named Captains for the 2016 season.

Defensive Captains Pullen and Parr are vastly experienced players and joined the Eagles in their inception, with Pullen being named 2015 Defensive MVP. Offensive Captains Hubbard and Cousins meanwhile are both second-year players with the Eagles, Cousins being named 2015 Rookie of the Year.

Commenting on the appointments, Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster said:

Since our inception in 2013 our coaching staff have picked the captains based on commitment, personality and leadership abilities, and this year marks the first time the players have voted for the club captains themselves.

I’m absolutely delighted with the choices. I think these guys are clear leaders in the locker room, and people the players can look up to. They lead the players not just by performance, but by example.

I’m also very proud of each of these four players, who have really developed themselves as well as their game over the last two years, and I feel confident will be able to leave their mark on the team.

Defensive Coordinator Darren Hill added:

This is just reward for the tremendous effort they have put in both on and off the field and I have no doubt the players have made the right choice.

The first game of the season takes place on Sunday 10th April (1.30pm) when the Eagles travel to face the Sandwell Steelers. The first home game of the year is against the Nottingham Caesars two weeks later, kicking off at midday.

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Steelers trip switched to Sunday

11 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , ,

The opening game of the season, away to Sandwell Steelers, has been moved to Sunday 10th April.

The game was originally scheduled to take place under the lights at Tipton Sports Academy on Saturday 9th April, but will now kick-off at 1.30pm the following day.

It is the first ever meeting between the two sides and is followed a week later by another first as we travel to South Yorkshire to face the Doncaster Mustangs for the first time.

The first home game of the season takes place on Sunday 24th April, when we welcome Nottingham Caesars to BIAS, and two weeks later we make the short journey to Peterborough to take on the Saxons.

The return game with the Steelers takes place at BIAS on Sunday 22nd May, and after a short break we have back-to-back games in June at home to the Birmingham Bulls (Sunday 5th June) and the return game at the Caesars (Sunday 12th June).

The regular season is rounded off by three games in July; home to Peterborough Saxons on Sunday 3rd July, home to Doncaster Mustangs on Sunday 17th, and away to Birmingham Bulls on 31st July.

Ouse Valley Eagles 2016 Regular Season Schedule

Sunday 10th April @ Sandwell Steelers
Sunday 17th April @ Doncaster Mustangs
Sunday 24th April vs Nottingham Caesars
Sunday 8th May @ Peterborough Saxons
Sunday 22nd May vs Sandwell Steelers
Sunday 5th June vs Birmingham Bulls
Sunday 12th June @ Nottingham Caesars
Sunday 3rd July vs Peterborough Saxons
Sunday 17th July vs Doncaster Mustangs
Sunday 31st July @ Birmingham Bulls

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March Camp this weekend

10 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , ,

As part of the Senior team’s preparations for the 2016 season, the third and final non-residential training camp of the pre-season takes place this weekend at Bedford International Athletics Stadium.

The weekend kicks off at 8.30am on Saturday morning with a welcome meeting in the BIAS committee room, before the team splits to work on special teams installations.

A lids-only practice session follows heading into lunch, before a review of the film from the recent Kent Exiles scrimmage, second practice session and positional film review in the afternoon and evening.

Sunday starts with another install review and lids-only practice, and ramps up after lunch with a final positional film review and practice in full pads.

We are always on the lookout for new players, coaches and commercial partners. If you would be interested in joining one of our teams in any capacity please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Eagles March Camp Timetable

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2016 Schedule Confirmed

29 Feb
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , , , ,

The 2016 regular season schedule has been confirmed, and sees the Eagles kicking off under the lights at Sandwell Steelers on Saturday 9th April.

It is the first ever meeting between the two sides and is followed a week later by another first as we travel to South Yorkshire to face the Doncaster Mustangs for the first time.

The first home game of the season takes place on Sunday 24th April, when we welcome Nottingham Caesars to BIAS, and two weeks later we make the short journey to Peterborough to take on the Saxons.

The return game with the Steelers takes place at BIAS on Sunday 22nd May, and after a short break we have back-to-back games in June at home to the Birmingham Bulls (Sunday 5th June) and the return game at the Caesars (Sunday 12th June).

The regular season is rounded off by three games in July; home to Peterborough Saxons on Sunday 3rd July, home to Doncaster Mustangs on Sunday 17th, and away to Birmingham Bulls on 31st July.

Ouse Valley Eagles 2016 Regular Season Schedule

Saturday 9th April @ Sandwell Steelers
Sunday 17th April @ Doncaster Mustangs
Sunday 24th April, 12pm vs Nottingham Caesars
Sunday 8th May @ Peterborough Saxons
Sunday 22nd May, 12pm vs Sandwell Steelers
Sunday 5th June, 12pm vs Birmingham Bulls
Sunday 12th June @ Nottingham Caesars
Sunday 3rd July, 12pm vs Peterborough Saxons
Sunday 17th July, 12pm vs Doncaster Mustangs
Sunday 31st July @ Birmingham Bulls

Kick off times for all away games are to be confirmed.

2016 PLAY-OFF STRUCTURE

For the 2016 season the top eight teams in Division 1 will progress to the play-offs, which will consist of the top two teams in each of the three conferences (NFC1, MFC1, SFC1) plus the two third-placed teams with the best record.

These play-offs will be ranked nationally, and in the first round will see:

#1 hosting #8
#2 hosting #7
#3 hosting #6
#4 hosting #5

The National Bowl finalists will both be promoted to the Premier Division, and will be inserted on a regional basis. This permits two teams from the same conference being promoted if they are able to earn a Bowl spot.

2016 BAFA NL STRUCTURE (DIVISION 1 EXPANSION)

Following a league restructure the Eagles will be playing in Midlands Football Conference (MFC) 1.

Each team faces each conference opponent home and away to make up a ten-game regular season schedule, meaning that unlike in 2015 there are no inter-conference games.

North Football Conference 1 (NFC1)
– Clyde Valley Blackhawks
– Edinburgh Wolves
– Gateshead Senators
– Manchester Titans
– West Coast Trojans
– Yorkshire Rams

Midlands Football Conference 1 (MFC1)
– Birmingham Bulls
– Doncaster Mustangs
– Nottingham Caesars
– Ouse Valley Eagles
– Peterborough Saxons
– Sandwell Steelers

South Football Conference 1 (SFC1)
– Bury Saints
– Colchester Gladiators
– Hertfordshire Cheetahs
– Kent Exiles
– Solent Thrashers
– Sussex Thunder

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Gallery | Kent Exiles scrimmage

28 Feb
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , ,

Selection of photos from the pre-season scrimmage between the Eagles and Kent Exiles at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Sunday 28th February 2016.

Pictures by Gergo Toth Photo / 2G Creative. Prints available at www.gergotothphoto.co.uk.

Gallery | February Camp

28 Feb
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , ,

Selection of photos from the Eagles Senior Camp, 20th and 21st February 2016. All photos courtesy of Neil Duffy.

McMaster on “terrific” February camp

22 Feb
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , , ,

Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster was very pleased with how the team has come together during this off-season’s training camps so far.

The second non-residential camp of the winter took place in Bedford this past weekend, and was attended by over 50 players across the two days.

Commenting on the sessions, McMaster said:

Offensively, I thought we had a terrific second camp, not just in terms of installing plays, but coming together as a team and a family.

We’ve spent a lot of time together as an offense over the past two camps – over 36 hours – and I really started to notice a difference on Sunday evening’s practice.

We’ve developed the offense and guys have picked it up so quickly, we’ve made the leap now from correcting basic playbook knowledge to correcting technique and minor details, and that normally doesn’t happen until later in the season so it’s pleasing to see that happening so early.

In particular I’ve been impressed with how well our senior players have taken to mentoring our younger rookies, and how much our rookies have progressed in a few camps.

That kind of bond is what makes championship teams, and I’m hoping to see a big performance from our offense in what should be a good test against the Kent Exiles on Sunday.

This weekend the team welcome Kent Exiles to Bedford International Athletics Stadium for a controlled scrimmage, which gives rookies and first-year players valuable game day experience, and an opportunity to embed what has been learnt during the pre-season so far.

As a result of this weekend’s scrimmage there is no practice for the senior team on Sunday. Youth Team training will take place at BIAS on Sunday afternoon between 1 and 3pm.

Coach Hill pleased with progress

22 Feb
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , , ,

Defensive Coordinator Darren Hill described himself as being “delighted” with the progress made by the team during this off-season’s training camps.

The second non-residential training camp of the winter took place in Bedford this past weekend, and was attended by over 50 players across the two days.

Commenting on the sessions, Hill said:

The second camp was another great success. Both days saw a combination of scheme install, individual and group skills, film review, group and team practice.

I am delighted with the progress the team is making as a whole and all the players have improved tremendously over the last two days.

This weekend the team welcome Kent Exiles to Bedford International Athletics Stadium for a controlled scrimmage, which gives rookies and first-year players valuable game day experience, and an opportunity to embed what has been learnt during the pre-season so far.

As a result of this weekend’s scrimmage there is no practice for the senior team on Sunday. Youth Team training will take place at BIAS on Sunday afternoon between 1 and 3pm.