Category: Come and Try

When the kids are united

19 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try

Youth Team Head Coach Nick Benning gives on how things are progressing with the Under-18s…

A key aim for the Eagles committee when founding the club was to bring competitive Youth American Football to the area.

Over the past few months we have been taking the first steps to doing just that.

We opened up our rookie try-outs to across the region to under-18s, and we’re very pleased to have had over 20 of them attend the Milton Keynes session alone, with further attendees at the St Neots and Northampton sessions.

Later in the year I was honoured to be appointed Head Coach of our first Youth Team, and along with several senior players – Chris Cowley, Neil Duffy, Kevin Kong, Jack Rice and Jack Davis-Fletcher – who also took their Level 1 coaching badge, we were pleased to welcome several of the try-outs back for their first real taste of American Football.

Since October we have been taking weekly sessions providing the lads with the fundamentals they will need for the game, initially working on the basics; Safety, Frame, Fitness, Movement and Technology.

Going forwards we have introduced passing routes, zonal coverage and of course the one they all love, tackling, with an aim to allow for a seamless transition from the Youth to Senior setups.

Although admittedly the conversion numbers were initially quite low with only eight or nine attendees at the early sessions, many familiar faces made it down over the following weeks.

Additionally we have been boosted with links to Sharnbrook School here in Bedfordshire, who have setup their own weeknight training session, and the support of the PE department at Bedford Free School.

The week after the Super Bowl saw our numbers swell to 25 keen youngsters.

We now have a regular core of around 15 attendees, the overall standard has been improving every week, and I think the other coaches would agree that we have excellent potential in the squad.

We aim to have our first friendly 5v5 game this summer, and to enter the team in the league in 2016.

As a long term goal we will have Junior and Youth teams here in Bedford, which will be followed by teams in Milton Keynes, St Neots and other parts of our region.

If you know of anyone under 18 who might be interested in giving the sport a go we’d love to have them on board, so get in touch!

We’re recruiting for 2015

18 Sep
OVEagles All News, Come and Try, Senior Football

American Football has never been bigger in this country, and it remains one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. The Eagles formed last year and have a 50 man strong roster, but we need to add to that in order to compete for a National Championship every year.

If you’ve seen the sport, and always fancied having a go, why not register to try it out at one of our sessions spread throughout the Three Counties area.

Ideally, you’ll show up around 10:30 and complete the basic registration forms. At 11, you’ll come out onto the field where several of our current players will talk you through the sport and you’ll get a chance to see the senior team train. We pride ourselves on being as professional as we can be in everything we do, and you’ll see that in our practices.

Our practices are fast, and will be difficult for the first few weeks until you get used to the pattern. After watching the Senior Team, it’ll be your chance to try it out, doing the same drills you’ve just seen our players doing. The players will be running through the drills with you, under the watchful eye of our qualified coaches.

This isn’t just for the senior team (Aged 18+) though. This year we are also launching our first Youth Team, an Under-17, 5 on 5 version of the game. Aimed at 14-16 years old, it is the best way to get started in the kitted version of the sport.

Our ‘Rookie Sessions’ are open to both men and women, girls and boys, as long as you are aged between 14-16 or Over 18.

If you want to come and try out the sport, free of charge and with no obligation to join, register for the event(s) you can make and we’ll see you there.

Our Milton Keynes Session is on the 5th October, between 11am and 1pm, at Stantonbury Astroturf:
Milton Keynes Come and Try Day

Our first St.Neots Session is on the 12th October, between 11am and 1pm, at Priory Park
St.Neots Come and Try Day

Our second St.Neots Session is on the 19th October, between 11am and 1pm, at Priory Park
St.Neots Come and Try Day

Our Northampton Session is on the 26th October, between 11am and 1pm, at Northampton Academy Astroturf
Northampton Come and Try Day

All you need to bring is football/rugby boots, some water, and appropriate clothing to be out running in the weather.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Rookie Days Flyer