Ouse Valley Football

Blackhawks 2016 Schedule Confirmed

Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football Aylesbury Vale Spartans, BAFA, Bishop's Stortford HighFlyers, Blackhawks, Chichester Sharks, London Barracuda, London Rebels, Reading Lions, Solent Thrashers, Victoria Park Panthers, Ware Wolves, West Essex Showboats

The Blackhawks 2016 regular season schedule has been confirmed, and sees them kicking off against Victoria Park Panthers, West Essex Showboats and Aylesbury Vale Spartans on Saturday 14th May in a round of matches hosted by the Panthers.

They are followed up three sets of matches in June on Saturday 4th, 11th and 25th hosted by Aylesbury Vale Spartans, Victoria Park Panthers and Ware Wolves.

Then comes two rounds of matches hosted by the Blackhawks, on Saturday 2nd July featuring Aylesbury Vale Spartans, Chichester Sharks, , Bishop’s Stortford HighFlyers and London Barracuda, and on Saturday 16th July featuring the HighFlyers, Ware Wolves and Victoria Park.

The regular season is rounded off with games against Reading Lions and Solent Thrashers on Saturday 30th July, in a round of matches hosted by Aylesbury Vale Spartans that also feature Bishop’s Stortford.

The Blackhawks are back in training this Friday evening at Sandy Upper School. The session starts at 9pm, and is expected to cost around £4 per player. If you are interested in attending please get in touch either via Facebook, Twitter or the Contact Us page.

Bedford Blackhawks (Flag) 2016 Regular Season Schedule (hosts in brackets)

Saturday 14th May (Victoria Park Panthers)

vs Victoria Park Panthers
vs West Essex Showboats
vs Aylesbury Vale Spartans

Saturday 4th June (Aylesbury Vale Spartans)

vs London Rebels
vs Reading Knights

Saturday 11th June (Victoria Park Panthers)

vs West Essex Showboats
vs Aylesbury Vale Spartans

Saturday 25th June (Ware Wolves)

vs Bishop’s Stortford HighFlyers
vs Victoria Park Panthers
vs Ware Wolves

Saturday 2nd July (Bedford Blackhawks)

vs London Barracuda
vs Chichester Sharks

Saturday 16th July (Bedford Blackhawks)

vs Bishop’s Stortford HighFlyers
vs Ware Wolves

Saturday 30th July (Aylesbury Vale Spartans)

vs Reading Lions
vs Solent Thrashers

Kick off times for all games are to be confirmed.

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Club Statement | Will White

23 Mar

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football BAFANL, Will White

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.

Blackhawks to play in NuOla Spring Shield

18 Mar

Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football Bedford Blackhawks, NuOla Spring Shield

The Bedford Blackhawks Flag team will be playing in the 24-team NuOla Spring Shield 2016 in Sheffield next month.

The tournament takes place at Meadowhead School on Saturday 2nd April, and sees the young Blackhawks playing come up against the Birmingham Lions, Leeds Samurai and USA Mayhem during the group stages:

9.30am – USA Mayhem
11am – Leeds Samurai
12.30pm – Birmingham Lions

Group A

AGOICTIOTAACG
Beeston Bears
Chichester Sharks
Sheffield Vipers

Group B

Coventry Panthers
Coventry Cougar Ladies
Sheffield Predators
Wigan Warhawks

Group C

Coventry Cougars
Coventry Pink Panthers
Mansfield Honey Badgers
Newcastle Blackhawks

Group D

Bedford Blackhawks
Birmingham Lions
Leeds Samurai
USA Mayhem

Group E

Calderdale Knights
Cardiff Hurricanes
Cheshire Cavaliers
Glasgow Hornets

Group F

Hereford Stampede
Leicester Eagles
London Rebels
Hybrid Team (Northern Powerhouse)

Directions

If you would like to go and watch the tournament you can fine directions below:

Focus On | 2016 Team Captains

15 Mar

Michael Dilley All News, Features, Senior Football Chris Parr, Danny Cousins, Gareth Pullen, Ross Hubbard

Yesterday we caught up with Chris Parr, Danny Cousins, Ross Hubbard and Gareth Pullen to hear their thoughts on being voted team captains for the 2016 season. Here’s what they had to say…

Chris Parr

Cornerback Chris Parr was named the Eagles MVP in 2014, and is a former Milton Keynes Pathfinders Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year.

He was also a member of the Great Britain Lions squad in 2013, and was University of Northampton Sportsperson of the Year in the same year:

The Club has had a really good winter both on and off the field and it has been fantastic to be involved.

Being named a captain for the Eagles is an honour and alongside the other captains I look forward to leading us in 2016.

Danny Cousins

Offensive Lineman Danny Cousins is a second-year player with the Eagles having joined the club ahead of last season, and was named 2015 Rookie of the Year:

I’m very proud to be named as a captain for the Eagles this season, particuarly as it was voted on by my team mates, which makes the honour even greater.

Ross Hubbard:

Former Loughborough Aces and Tamworth Phoenix wide receiver Ross Hubbard is another second-year player with the Eagles, having joined the club in 2015:

It’s always special and bigger when it comes from your team mates.

I’m looking forward to being one of the leaders of such a dedicated group of guys.

Gareth Pullen

Linebacker Gareth “Tish” Pullen is a returning captain, having previously captained the team in 2014 and 2015.

He was named the Eagles’ Defensive MVP in 2015, Player’s Player of the Year in 2014, and is a former Bedfordshire Blue Raiders MVP, Player’s Player and Defensive MVP:

To be voted captain is a true honour, especially being put forward by my peers, those I respect really means the world to me.

As we gain momentum towards our 2016 campaign it is a truly exciting time to be an Eagle.

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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2016 Captains Named

14 Mar

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football 2016 Captains, BAFANL, Chris Parr, Danny Cousins, Darren Hill, Gareth Pullen, Neale McMaster, Ross Hubbard

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.

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Steelers trip switched to Sunday

11 Mar

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football BAFANL, Eagles, Sandwell Steelers

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 BAFANL, Camp, Eagles

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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Blackhawks to play in Outlaw Flag League

06 Mar

Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football Blackhawks, Flag Football, OFL, Outlaw Flag League

The Blackhawks will be playing in the Outlaw Flag League (OFL) this autumn and winter.

Newly established in 2016 and based in Northamptonshire, the OFL aims to be one of the largest flag football leagues of its kind in the United Kingdom.

The league’s mission is to provide “free to play, competitive flag football that will continue to attract players, teams and fans from all over the U.K.”

League Members

There are currently nine teams confirmed for the 2016 season, which will run between September and November:

Bedford Blackhawks
Cheshire Cavalier
Chichester Sharks
Coventry Panthers
Manchester Crows
Mansfield Honey Badgers
Northants Titans Atlas
Northants Titans Oceanus
Staffordshire Surge Academy

The teams will be split into two conferences; the Exile Flag Conference (EFC) and Bandit Flag Conference (BFC), the final make up of which will be confirmed once all league members have been announced.

Schedule

The final schedule will be confirmed once all league members have been announced, but regular season games are currently scheduled for the following dates:

Sunday 11th September 2016
Sunday 25th September 2016
Sunday 9th October 2016
Sunday 6th November 2016

The Outlaw Bowl Playoffs are currently scheduled for Sunday 20th November 2016.

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Blackhawks Uniform Unveiled

01 Mar

Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football Bedford Blackhawks, Flag, Kit, NuOla Custom Clothing

The club are delighted to officially unveil the new Bedford Blackhawks Flag uniform.

Manufactured by NuOla Custom Clothing, the new jerseys are predominantly black with purple numbers and white trim.

Speaking on behalf of the Blackhawks, Jake Cooper said:

We have been working alongside NuOla for the last couple of months to create and perfect a design that our players will be proud to wear this season, and I believe we have achieved just that!

I am over the moon with the final outcome of the jersey and all of the hard work and effort it symbolizes. We as a team are proud to pull this jersey on this season.

You can buy 2016 Bedford Blackhawks merchandise via our Football America Team Store, which is all new for this year and features the Blackhawks logo and club colours of purple, white and silver.

There are a number of t-shirts available starting at £13 each, hoodies starting at £20.50 each and a number of other items available such as hats, shorts, jackets and polo shirts.

All proceeds from sales received by the club go towards funding team equipment.

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2016 Schedule Confirmed

29 Feb

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football BAFANL, Birmingham Lions, Doncaster Mustangs, Nottingham Caesars, Peterborough Saxons, Sandwell Steelers

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 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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