News

NEWS | Northampton Open Session this Sunday

16 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Flag Football, Senior Football, Youth Football , , , , ,

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+), Bedford Blackhawks Youth (U17) or Milton Keynes Redwings (U17) full contact teams, as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, the third Open Session of the month takes place this Sunday in Northampton.

The session runs from 10am to 12pm at Northampton High School, and registrations open at 9.45am.

If you have always fancied having a go why not try it out and see how you get on? No previous experience is necessary, as our team of qualified coaches will put you through your paces running a series of non-contact passing, catching, running and blocking drills designed to give you a real taste of American Football.

What to expect

If you want to know what to expect at the session, check out this highlights video from our session in Bedford two weeks ago:

What you’ll need

If you are coming along please mark yourself as attending on the Facebook event, and there are a few things you’ll need to bring with you:

– Water (recommended 2L but the more the better).
– Footwear suitable to be worn on artificial turf
– Shorts/Joggers or similar
– Top of some kind: sweatshirt, t-shirt or similar
– Gumshield (optional but recommended)

Registration

Before the session you will be asked to complete a simple registration form (registrations open at 9.45am). Please note for U18s this will need to be completed by a parent or guardian. If you would like to download a registration form and complete it ahead of the session, you can do so here.

How to get there

Register your interest

It’s not too late to register your interest in either of our remaining sessions. Just complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or check out the events on our Facebook page.

As well as Sunday’s session we will be running an additional session on Sunday 26th November at Lealands High School in Luton, from 10am – 12pm.

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

NEWS | Notice of 2017 AGM

15 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Senior Football, Youth Football , , ,

The 2017 Annual General Meeting will take place at 11am on Sunday 10th December at the University of Bedfordshire’s Bedford Campus.

Who can attend?

All club members, coaches, committee, friends, family and supporters are welcome to attend the AGM. This includes all teams under the Ouse Valley Football banner: Ouse Valley Eagles Senior, Bedford Blackhawks Flag, Bedford Blackhawks Youth, Milton Keynes Redwings Youth.

Agenda

We’ll try and keep things short, and focus on giving you a chance to ask questions rather than listen to us talk at you. We’ll cover elections to the committee for the year ahead (see below) as well as a brief financial update, a review of 2017 and then look ahead to the upcoming year.

Voting

All registered players, coaches, committee members and staff over the age of 18 will be eligible to vote. While we’d love to see former and prospective club members, players, coaches etc. on the day, only those registered for the 2017 season will be eligible to vote.

What if I cant go – can I still vote?

If you can’t make the meeting, you can ask someone to be your proxy. This means that you can ask someone to vote on your behalf, but you have to let us know in advance.

Constitutional amendments

We are currently reviewing our constitution to make sure it’s in good shape. There will be some minor amendments required to support the positions detailed below, and we’ll discuss those on the day.

Items for discussion

If you would like to request an item be raised or discussed at the AGM please let us know at least seven days in advance, i.e. by 11am on Sunday 3rd December.

Positions up for election

All committee positions will be up for election at the meeting, except for the role of Club Chairman which has a two-year term and was elected last year:

– Treasurer (two-year role)
– Academy Coordinator (two-year role)
– Flag Football Coordinator (two-year role)
– Communications Manager (one-year role)
– Child Welfare Officer (one-year role)
– 3 x Ordinary Members (one-year role)

How to apply

As per the Club Constitution, all persons intending to stand must give notification of their intent prior to the AGM by completing the form below. All nominations also have to be proposed by two team members – one of whom must be an existing Committee member.

All roles involve a significant amount of commitment. Prospective Committee members will need to to attend regular meetings via Google Hangouts, attend team events, own the delivery of specific pieces of work and have the time available carry out any tasks required.

There are a number of alternative ways to help the team without being on the Committee. We will be posting details of some particular vacancies we have shortly, so if you’d like to get involved in other ways, please watch this space!

Applications are now closed.

NEWS | MK Open Session this Sunday

10 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Flag Football, Senior Football, Youth Football , , , ,

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+), Bedford Blackhawks Youth (U17) or Milton Keynes Redwings (U17) full contact teams, as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, the second Open Session of the month takes place this Sunday in Milton Keynes.

The session runs from midday to 2pm at Stantonbury Campus, and registrations open at 11.30am.

If you have always fancied having a go why not try it out and see how you get on? No previous experience is necessary, as our team of qualified coaches will put you through your paces running a series of non-contact passing, catching, running and blocking drills designed to give you a real taste of American Football.

What to expect

If you want to know what to expect at the session, check out this highlights video from last week’s session in Bedford:

What you’ll need

If you are coming along please mark yourself as attending on the Facebook event, and there are a few things you’ll need to bring with you:

– Water (recommended 2L but the more the better).
– Footwear suitable to be worn on artificial turf
– Shorts/Joggers or similar
– Top of some kind: sweatshirt, t-shirt or similar
– Gumshield (optional but recommended)

Registration

Before the session you will be asked to complete a simple registration form (registrations open at 11.30am). Please note for U18s this will need to be completed by a parent or guardian. If you would like to download a registration form and complete it ahead of the session, you can do so here.

How to get there

The best postcode to use for your Sat Nav is MK14 6DT – Soskin Drive, Stantonbury Milton Keynes. There is limited parking near the AstroTurf pitch itself, so please use the larger car park near the entrance if required.

Register your interest

It’s not too late to register your interest in any of our remaining sessions. Just complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or check out the events on our Facebook page.

As well as Sunday’s session we will be running two further sessions during November:

– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

VIDEO | Bedford Open Session Highlights

09 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Flag Football, Senior Football, Youth Football , , , ,

Did you attend Sunday’s Open Session at the University of Bedfordshire? Check out highlights of the session here, as well the plan for the rest of November…

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+), Bedford Blackhawks Youth (13+) and Milton Keynes Redwings (13+) full contact teams, as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, we will be running three further Open Sessions during November:

– Sunday 12th November | Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes (12pm-2pm)
– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

To register your interest please complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or keep your eye out for the events on our Facebook page.

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

NEWS | Milton Keynes Redwings launched

08 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Youth Football , , ,

The club are proud to announce the formation of a new U17 contact team, the Milton Keynes Redwings.

The Redwings join the Bedford Blackhawks under the Ouse Valley Eagles banner as a 5v5 contact team, and represent a major step forward in the club’s goal to expand the number of people playing the sport in our area.

Initially the team will play friendly matches during a development year in 2018, with a view of joining the National League in 2019.

Training times and locations for the New Year will be confirmed in due course, but in the meantime anyone who is interested in joining the team should attend one of our Open Sessions taking place this month – continuing on Sunday at Stantonbury Campus between midday and 2pm.

Anyone interested joining the team in a coaching capacity should contact Club Chairman Michael Dilley in the first instance via michael.dilley@oveagles.com, or get in touch via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The new Redwings logo is a nod to the one used by the Milton Keynes Pathfinders, who merged with the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders to form the Eagles in 2013.

Speaking on the news, Academy Coordinator Mark Chilton said:

“As the only senior club in the region we have a responsibility to promote and grow the game in our area. A major part of that is providing playing opportunities for U18s interested in American Football, and provide a pathway through to our senior team should they want it.

This announcement is part of an ongoing program of starting youth/junior affiliate teams and introduce the game to young people in our region. As a resident of Milton Keynes I am particularly pleased to have helped to provide this unique opportunity for the young people of our City”.

Club Chairman Michael Dilley added:

“When the club was founded one of our priorities was to create multiple youth teams across the area.

We started that in Bedford with the Blackhawks and I’m delighted that we’re able to build on those solid foundations by establishing the Redwings in Milton Keynes.

The future is looking really bright and I’m excited to see how the team develops.”

Open Sessions

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+), Bedford Blackhawks Youth (13+) and Milton Keynes Redwings (13+) full contact teams, as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, we will be running three further Open Sessions during November:

– Sunday 12th November | Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes (12pm-2pm)
– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

To register your interest please complete the form below:

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

VIDEO | Coaches on Bedford Open Session

08 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football, Youth Football , , , ,

Following Sunday’s Open Session at the University of Bedfordshire, we caught up with Eagles DC Kevin Kong and Blackhawks Youth Head Coach Nick Benning to get their thoughts on the session…

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+), Bedford Blackhawks Youth (U17) or Milton Keynes Redwings (U17) full contact teams as well as the Blackhawks senior (16+) flag team, we will be running three further Open Sessions during November:

– Sunday 12th November | Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes (12pm-2pm)
– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

Register your Interest

To register your interest please complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or keep your eye out for the events on our Facebook page.

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

NEWS | First Open Session this Sunday!

02 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Flag Football, Senior Football, Youth Football , , , ,

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+) or Bedford Blackhawks Youth (13+) full contact teams as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, the first Open Session of the month takes place this Sunday in Bedford.

The session runs from 10am to midday at the University of Bedfordshire’s Bedford Campus on Polhill Avenue, and registrations open at 9.30am.

If you have always fancied having a go why not try it out and see how you get on? No previous experience is necessary, as our team of qualified coaches will put you through your paces running a series of non-contact passing, catching, running and blocking drills designed to give you a real taste of American Football.

What you’ll need

If you are coming along please mark yourself as attending on the Facebook event, and there are a few things you’ll need to bring with you:

– Water (recommended 2L but the more the better).
– Rugby or football boots as the session will be taking place on grass
– Shorts/Joggers or similar
– Top of some kind: sweatshirt, t-shirt or similar
– Gumshield (optional but recommended)

How to get there

Register your interest

It’s not too late to register your interest in any of our sessions. Just complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or check out the events on our Facebook page.

As well as Sunday’s session we will be running three additional sessions during November:

– Sunday 12th November | Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes (12pm-2pm)
– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

Rookie Report | Bob Benney

01 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football, Youth Football , ,

Ahead of this Sunday’s first Open Session in Bedford we caught up with 2017 Rookie of the Year Bob Benney…

Position

Wide Receiver

Height/Weight

5ft 8ins, 156lbs

Hometown

Bedford

Age

19

Favourite NFL team/player:

Seattle Seahawks, Ray Lewis (past), Kam Chancellor

How did you get involved with American football, and the Eagles in particular?

I got involved with American Football by having a few lessons of it in school at the same time the Super Bowl 47 was on but didn’t have a clue what was going on.

A year later I learned more about it and watched Super Bowl 48, saw the Seahawks kill it and I’ve loved the sport since. I started looking about for a team with my mate and came across the newly formed Ouse Valley Eagles, started coming down to a few sessions for the youth team, and when I turned 18 I joined the Eagles and haven’t looked back since.

Did anything particularly take you by surprise during your rookie season?

The thing that surprised me most is how well the team makes people feel at home. You instantly feel part of the team and this means everyone is helping everyone else get better whether it be players, coaches or the committee.

What is your favourite thing about playing for the Eagles?

Getting to play the sport and getting out there to play alongside these guys. We’re always trying to push each other and get better.

Also, being involved with the Eagles, just everything they represent and the passion and dedication from everyone. Everyone’s got a winning mentality and that’s something I’m about.

How did it feel being named Rookie of the Year?

It was a great achievement, coming from the youth team and moving onto the senior team and winning the award was crazy.

We (me and Ryan Bowtell) always talked about moving into the senior team and playing, and for us both to win awards that night was insane!

Just want to thank them for the award and all the coaches from youth to senior who I wouldn’t have got the award without.

If you had one piece of advice for anyone considering playing for the first time, what would it be?

Just come and give it a try to see if it’s for you! No matter how much experience, how much knowledge or how big or small, we will help you and we will definitely find a place for you in the team!

Picture courtesy of Tallboy Images.

2017 Open Sessions

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+) or Bedford Blackhawks Youth (13+) full contact teams as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, we will be running four sessions during November:

– Sunday 5th November | University of Bedfordshire, Bedford (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 12th November | Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes (12pm-2pm)
– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

To register your interest please complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or keep your eye out for the events on our Facebook page.

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

BLACKHAWKS | 2017 Highlights

29 Oct
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Youth Football , ,

Ahead of next month’s Open Sessions, you can check out the Bedford Blackhawks highlights from the 2017 season here:

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+) or Bedford Blackhawks Youth (13+) full contact teams as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, we will be running four Open Sessions during November:

– Sunday 5th November | University of Bedfordshire, Bedford (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 12th November | Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes (12pm-2pm)
– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

Register your Interest

To register your interest in our Open Sessions please complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or keep your eye out for the events on our Facebook page.

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.

SENIOR | 2017 Highlights

21 Oct
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , ,

Ahead of next month’s Open Sessions, you can check out the Ouse Valley Eagles highlights from the 2017 season here:

Open to those interested in playing for the Ouse Valley Eagles senior (18+) or Bedford Blackhawks Youth (13+) full contact teams as well as the Blackhawks senior flag (16+) team, we will be running four Open Sessions during November:

– Sunday 5th November | University of Bedfordshire, Bedford (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 12th November | Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes (12pm-2pm)
– Sunday 19th November | Northampton High School, Northampton (10am-12pm)
– Sunday 26th November | Lealands High School, Luton (10am-12pm)

Register your Interest

To register your interest in our Open Sessions please complete the form below, get in touch via Twitter or keep your eye out for the events on our Facebook page.

Your privacy is important to us. For more details about how we use your personal data, please read our Privacy Statement. We would like to send you additional information that is relevant to you. By ticking the boxes below you consent to receive information about:

Rookie SessionsTraining SessionsUpcoming Events

We will not pass your details to third parties. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by emailing gdpr@oveagles.com or using the opt-out facility on each email.