Tag: BAFANL

NEWS | Eagles announce partnership with Bedfordshire Bulls

18 Sep
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Senior Football, Youth Football , , , , ,

The club are delighted to announce a partnership with the Bedfordshire Bulls.

With a number of campuses across the area and more than 24,000 enrolled students, the University of Bedfordshire is a modern, innovative university with a heritage of top quality education.

The Ouse Valley Eagles were formed in 2013 with the aim of becoming one of the leading lights for American Football in the UK. Members of our club come from a wide range of backgrounds and over a large geographical area to be part of one of our three teams:

– Ouse Valley Eagles (Adult Kitted, age 18+)
– Bedford Blackhawks (Adult Flag, age 16+)
– Bedford Blackhawks (Youth Contact, age 13-16)

As part of the agreement our teams will enjoy use of the University’s grass and artificial pitches at the Bedford campus as well as classroom facilities, and Eagles coaches will work with the Bulls as they embark on their first BUCS Division 2 Midlands Conference campaign.

Eagles Chairman Michael Dilley said:

“We are incredibly excited to be teaming up with the Bulls and hope it is the start of a long-term partnership between the programmes.

“With campuses in Luton, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury as well as Bedford, working with the Bulls offers us a fantastic opportunity to help grow the sport in our area, and hopefully inspire future generations of players and coaches”

Beds SU Vice President of Sport, Kieran Nixon added:

“I will be trying a sport for the first time, like so many of the University of Bedfordshire students. It’s a proud moment to be facilitating the opportunity to try something new, as that’s what its all about.

“I hope that this model of partnership between student groups, local organisations and passionate individuals can be replicated to other areas of the sporting landscape within the Bedfordshire Bulls, as we look to develop our sporting programme in an organic and sustainable way.

“The future of sport looks extremely positive, both in the local area and particularly here at Beds.”

Open Sessions for players interested in joining the Eagles for the 2018 season will be taking place during November. Further details will be announced shortly, but to register your interest in the meantime please get in touch via Facebook.com/ovfootball or Twitter.com/ovfootball.

Taster Sessions for University of Bedfordshire students interested in joining the Bulls will be taking place over Freshers Week at the end of September. Further details can be found via BedsSU.co.uk/sport or Twitter.com/BedsBullsAmFoot.

PREVIEW | Eagles ready to renew Solent rivalry

28 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Gameday, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles are back in SFC1 Central action this weekend when they travel to the South Coast to meet the Solent Thrashers on Sunday (12.30pm).

It is the fourth meeting between the two sides, with the Thrashers running out winners in each of the first three contests – including eliminating the Eagles from the play-offs in 2014 and 2015.

In the first game of the season three weeks ago an under strength Eagles side ran out 14-12 winners in a competitive game away to South Wales Warriors.

The Thrashers meanwhile went down 23-0 at home to early pace-setters Sussex Thunder last weekend, and will be looking to bounce back in what is their second of three games in successive weeks.

Team News

Head Coach Neale McMaster reported no new injury concerns following the opening-day victory over the Warriors. A number of players who missed the Warriors game are set to make their first appearance of the season, including linebackers Gareth Pullen, Fabrizio Gargiulo and Paul Mountford, and wide receivers Troy Mayer, Ryan Bowtell, Chris Gains and Rich Batten.

Andrew Oliver and Gareth Thomas will be late decisions, but longer term absentees Peter Howgego, Raul Fernández, Oliver Latimer, Jack Noblest, John Rudgard and Darren Willison are still out.

Head Coach Neale McMaster

“Really excited to renew what has been a bit of a one-sided rivalry with Solent over the past few years. Given the changes both teams have gone through since we last played it’ll be interesting to see how teams have changed and improved.

“I’m excited by the improvements we’ve made ourselves since the South Wales game – continually focusing on developing our players – and I think we’re in a good position to get a ‘W’ for the first time against the Thrashers, although as is the case with all Steve Rains-coached teams I’m expecting it to be a tough fight.”

Directions

The Thrashers play their home games at Test Park, Lower Brownhill Road, Southampton SO16 9BP:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Southampton to watch the games, we will be providing live play-by-play updates via our Twitter page.

SENIOR | Eagles 2017 Schedule Released

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

The Eagles’ 2017 regular season schedule has been confirmed, and sees the team kicking off away to South Wales Warriors in SFC1 Central on Sunday 9th April.

It is the first ever meeting between the two sides and is followed three weeks later by a trip to Solent Thrashers on 30th April, and the first of two visits to Oxford Saints on Sunday 7th May.

The first home game of the season takes place on Sunday 21st May when we welcome the Thrashers to BIAS, and the return game against the Warriors on 11th June is the first of three games in successive weeks (away to Sussex Thunder on 18th June and home to the Thrashers again on 25th June).

The Saints come to town on 9th July, and the season is rounded off against Sussex Thunder at home on 23rd July and away to Oxford on 30th July.

Ouse Valley Eagles 2017 Regular Season Schedule

Sunday 9th April @ South Wales Warriors
Sunday 30th April @ Solent Thrashers
Sunday 7th May @ Oxford Saints
Sunday 21st May vs Solent Thrashers
Sunday 11th June vs South Wales Warriors
Sunday 18th June @ Sussex Thunder
Sunday 25th June vs Solent Thrashers
Sunday 9th July vs Oxford Saints
Sunday 23rd July vs Sussex Thunder
Sunday 30th July @ Oxford Saints

Kick-off times to be confirmed.

Play-Off Structure

For the 2017 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 four conferences (NFC1 North, NFC1 South, SFC1 Central and SFC1 East).

The first round of the play-offs will see the #1 seed in the SFC/NFC face and #4 seed, and the #2 seed meet the #3 ranked team.

The Division 1 Championship will be decided between the NFC1 and SFC1 winners.

SENIOR | 2017 League Alignment announced

16 Jan
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , , ,

The British American Football Association (BAFA) have announced a further expansion of Division 1 of the National League from 18 to 20 teams, and placed the Eagles in the SFC1 Central Conference.

Joining the Eagles in SFC1 are the South Wales Warriors, who have taken a voluntary relegation from the Premier Division South, Solent Thrashers, Sussex Thunder and Oxford Saints.

Of our 2016 opponents Doncaster Mustangs are in the NFC1 North Conference, and Birmingham Bulls, Nottingham Caesars and Sandwell Steelers are all in NFC1 South.

Details of the regular season schedule are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

2017 Play-Off Structure

For the 2017 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 four conferences (NFC1 North, NFC1 South, SFC1 Central and SFC1 East).

The first round of the play-offs will see the #1 seed in the SFC/NFC face and #4 seed, and the #2 seed meet the #3 ranked team.

The Division 1 Championship will be decided between the NFC1 and SFC1 winners.

2017 Divisional 1 Alignments

NFC1 North

– Doncaster Mustangs
– Manchester Titans
– Newcastle Vikings (promoted)
– West Coast Trojans
– Yorkshire Rams

NFC1 South

– Birmingham Bulls
– Coventry Jets (relegated)
– Leicester Falcons (promoted)
– Nottingham Caesars
– Sandwell Steelers

SFC1 Central

– Oxford Saints (promoted)
– Ouse Valley Eagles
– Solent Thrashers
– South Wales Warriors (relegated)
– Sussex Thunder

SFC1 East

– Cambridgeshire Cats (promoted)
– Colchester Gladiators
– Kent Exiles
– London Hornets (promoted)
– London Olympians (relegated)

Second rookie session this Sunday

11 Jan
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football , , ,

Open to those wanting to play for the Senior Team (18+), the second of two dedicated rookie sessions takes place this Sunday (15th January) from 11am to 1.10pm at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford.

American Football has never been more popular in the UK and is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. If you’ve always fancied having a go why not come down and see how you get on?

If you are coming this weekend there are a few things you’ll need to bring with you:

  • Water (recommended 2L but the more the better). We know it’s quite stop start, but practices are tough going!
  • Rugby or football boots as we train on grass
  • Shorts/Joggers or similar
  • Top of some kind: sweatshirt, t-shirt or similar
  • Gumshield
  • You may want to bring a towel and shower things

A full training session will take place next Sunday (22nd January) followed by the first of four mini-camps a week later. Click here for further details on the preseason schedule.

Directions

Running Backs Coach Wanted

05 Jan
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , , ,

The Eagles Senior team are looking for a Running Backs coach to join Head Coach Neale McMaster’s backroom staff for the 2017 season.

The successful candidate will be qualified to BAFCA Level 1 (or be willing to obtain that qualification almost immediately), and will have previous experience of playing or coaching the position.

They will work with our existing team of coaches to develop our players and each other, as the team looks to build on last season’s 4-6 record in BAFANL Midlands Football Conference 1.

If you are interested in this position please contact Coach McMaster via neale.mcmaster@oveagles.com.

First rookie session this Sunday

04 Jan
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football , , ,

Open to those wanting to play for the Senior Team (18+), our first of two dedicated rookie sessions takes place this Sunday (8th January) from 11am to 1.10pm at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford.

American Football has never been more popular in the UK and is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. If you’ve always fancied having a go why not come down and see how you get on?

If you are coming this weekend there are a few things you’ll need to bring with you:

  • Water (recommended 2L but the more the better). We know it’s quite stop start, but practices are tough going!
  • Rugby or football boots as we train on grass
  • Shorts/Joggers or similar
  • Top of some kind: sweatshirt, t-shirt or similar
  • Gumshield
  • You may want to bring a towel and shower things

A second rookie session will be taking place at the same next Sunday (15th January), and that will be followed up by a full training session a week later. Click here for further details on the preseason schedule.

Directions

2017 Senior team coaches named

08 Dec
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football , , , , , , , , ,

Eagles Head Coach Neale McMaster has unveiled his 2017 coaching team ahead of next month’s rookie sessions.

The Eagles are very fortunate to have an extremely dedicated group of coaches, who work hard at all levels of the game to ensure that our players are not just the best American Football players they can be, but are also striving to be the best people they can be.

As announced last month, McMaster will take on Defensive Coordinator duties alongside Offensive Coordinator Nick Tilbury, and the duo will be assisted by Gary Villiers (Special Teams), Andy Cox (Offensive Line), Martin Day and Lawrence LaMontagne (Wide Receivers), Burger Swanepole (Defensive Line) and Kevin Kong (Defensive Backs).

Our aim as a club is to put five players a year through their Level 1 coaching badge, and to secure funding to allow all coaches to attend conventions and clinics to promote their learning.

There is currently a vacancy for a Running Backs coach. If you would be interested in taking on the position please get in touch.

Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator – Neale McMaster

Following a successful playing career in Scotland with the University of Glasgow Tigers and East Kilbride Pirates, McMaster moved south of the border in 2012 and joined the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders initially as a player, before becoming Offensive Line coach ahead of the 2013 season.

He became Chairman of the newly-formed Eagles following the merger between the Blue Raiders and Milton Keynes Pathfinders, and was named Offensive Coordinator by former Head Coach Will White.

In Neale’s three seasons as OC the Eagles posted a combined 19-11 record which included a record 75-6 win against the Ipswich Cardinals in 2014 and play-off appearances in 2014 and 2015, and he is also a part of the coaching setup with the Great Britain Lions.

Offensive Coordinator – Nick Tilbury

After a senior playing career that also took in spells with the MK Pioneers, Chiltern Cheetahs, London Mets, Herts Stags, Cambridgeshire Cats, Bedfordshire Blue Raiders and the Saxons, Tilbury transitioned into a coaching role with Peterborough and was part of the staff that took them to the Division 2 Final in 2015.

Following promotion to the BAFANL Midlands Football Conference 1 the Saxons were unable to complete the 2016 season, but Tilbury wanted to remain involved in football, and jumped at the chance to join then-OC McMaster’s coaching staff in the latter half of the season.

Special Teams Coordinator – Gary Villiers

Gary grew up in South London and was forced to play rugby at school. He discovered American Football in the early 80s when Channel 4 started showing regular highlights. Around 84/85, aged 17, Gary found a team forming in a park in Bexley, went along and played unkitted for about a season before The Bexley Barons were finally formed as a kitted team.

Gary played as Fullback and Slot Receiver for a couple of years before switching to defensive-end. Gary then moved on to East Kent (then Kent) Cougars, also briefly with Barracuda and Olympians II. He retired from playing in 1995 after breaking shoulder and had nothing to do with Britball again for 18 years! However, he became increasingly interested in US College Football during that time, eventually studying coaching techniques and philosophies more seriously.

After a move to St Neots, he decided one wet Sunday in early 2013 to see if his local team the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders needed any help and was quickly adopted as Defensive Line Coach assisting Coach Ramsay. Gary found the experience really rewarding and fun so signed up to qualify with BAFCA as a Level 1 coach.

Following that season, Gary was offered the opportunity to coach at Cambridge University with the Pythons where he coached all lineman on both sides of the ball and worked alongside Coach Fuller as Defensive Coordinator, before being named Head Coach ahead of the 2015/16 season.

Offensive Line Coach – Andy Cox

Andy grew up in Daventry and was always actively involved in sport, representing his school at football, rugby and hockey as well as captaining the cricket team. Outside of school it was American Football that grabbed his attention, playing for The Weedon Warriors.

Now working as a Business Analyst, he graduated from the University of East Anglia in 1991 with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Physics, and three years of playing for the UEA Pirates American Football team culminated in an appearance in College Bowl V.

In his last two years at UEA, Andy also represented the Norwich Devils, and joined the Eagles ahead of the 2016 season as Offensive Line Assistant Coach.

Wide Receivers Coach – Lawrence LaMontagne

A vastly experienced player and coach who has been involved in the sport since joining the Luton Flyers in the mid-80s.

“LT” spent his playing days with the Bedford Bombardiers, Leicester Panthers, Sheffield, PA Knights and Coventry Jets as at Defensive End, and after retiring from playing has coached with the Jets, Southend, Blue Raiders and Essex Spartans.

Wide Receivers Coach – Martin Day

A one-time Bedfordshire Blue Raider and Lincolnshire Bomber QB, Day has been associated with the Eagles since the merger, spending the majority of his time at Tight End.

He is moving into coaching during the 2017 season whilst recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery.

Defensive Line Coach – Burger Swanepole

Burger is a diehard Patriots fan and all round NFL fanatic. He graduated with a BSc Sports Coaching Science from Worcester University in 2011 where he was also a member the then Worcester Cardinals, and after a rebranding to the Worcester Royals.

Burger took on a Coaching role as Defensive Back Coach whilst studying, where he also gained his British American Football Coaching Level 1, and joins the Eagles for the 2017 season.

Defensive Backs Coach – Kevin Kong

Growing up in Bedford, Kevin was always interested in sports but it wasn’t until Super Bowl XXXIX that he found his true passion, where his now-beloved Philadelphia Eagles lost to a bunch of cheating b… the New England Patriots.

Choosing Loughborough University for their prestigious American Football programme, he started his journey as a Corner Back and eventually earned a place as a starting Safety.

He was one of the original members of the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders and eventually joined the Ouse Valley Eagles when moving back to the area.

Having played for 10 years Kong believes it is time to share what he has learned, and hopefully have a laugh on the way.

2017 Preseason Schedule announced

05 Dec
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football , , ,

The Senior team’s 2017 preseason schedule has been announced, and includes rookie sessions, training camps and warm-up games against Premier Division opposition.

Rookie sessions designed specifically for new players will take place at Bedford International Athletics Stadium (BIAS) on Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th January. These will be followed by a full practice session on Sunday 22nd January and the first of four “mini-camps” on Sunday 29th.

Full training sessions will take place on Sunday 5th and 12th February before the second mini-camp on 19th and a scrimmage at Kent Exiles on Sunday 26th.

Further training sessions and mini-camps will be held throughout March and April, and on 19th March Premier Division Bristol Aztecs come to Bedford for a scrimmage.

All practice sessions and camps take place between 11am and 1.10pm.

To register your interest in one of our rookie sessions click here to visit our Join Us page.

2017preseasonv2

2016 AGM Minutes

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

The 2016 Annual General Meeting took place yesterday (Sunday 27th November) at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, and saw Michael Dilley named the new Club Chairman.

Attended by Club members, coaches, friends, family and supporters, the meeting covered off elections to the committee for the year ahead which included newly-created roles of Academy Coordinator and Flag Football Coordinator, as well as a brief financial update by Treasurer Nick Chapman, and a look ahead to the upcoming year.

Also discussed and approved were proposed changes to the Club Constitution to support the newly-created positions on the Club Committee.

2016 Committee Election Results
  • Chairman (two-year term): Michael Dilley
  • Academy Coordinator (one-year term): Mark Chilton
  • Flag Football Coordinator (one-year term): Jake Cooper
  • Communications Manager (one-year term): Michael Dilley
  • Child Welfare Officer (one-year term): Jenny Chilton
  • 3 x Ordinary Members (one-year term): Gareth Pullen, Ross Hubbard

Following the application and election process there is currently a vacancy on the Committee for an “Ordinary Member”. Fore more information on the role please get in touch.

To download the public version of the AGM presentation please click here.