Tag: BAFANL

NEWS | Defensive and Offensive Coordinators confirmed

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

The Eagles’ Senior team coaching line-up for 2017 is taking shape ahead of the start of preseason training in January with the naming of new Defensive and Offensive Coordinators.

Head Coach Neale McMaster will take on Defensive Coordinator duties, and former Eagles QB and Peterborough Saxons coach Nick Tilbury will look after the offense.

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.

Commenting on his appointment, Tilbury said:

I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of trying to improve a very effective Offense from last season.

We have a strong returning core and if we can mesh new players and tweaks together effectively, we will have a good season.

The Club expect to be able to announce the rest of Coach McMaster’s staff in the coming days.

Notice of 2016 AGM

Eagles
13 Nov
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , ,

The 2016 Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday 27th November at 1.30pm at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford.

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.

Agenda

We’ll try and keep things short and snappy and the focus will be on giving you a chance to ask questions rather than listen to us talking 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 the 2016 season 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 club members, players, coaches etc. on the day, only those registered for the 2016 season will be eligible to vote.

What if I can’t 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 1.30pm on Sunday 20th November.

Positions up for election

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

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

To apply

As per the Club Constitution, all persons intending to stand must give notification of their intent prior to the AGM. All nominations also have to be proposed by two team members – one of whom must be a 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, so if you’d like to get involved in other ways, please get in touch.

The deadline for applications has now passed.

2016 Award winners revealed

08 Oct
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , , , , , , , , ,

The 2016 Player of the Year Awards took place last night at Revolution Milton Keynes, where Ross Hubbard was the big winner.

Hubbard was named Team MVP, Offensive MVP and Joint Players Player of the Year along with Offensive Lineman Danny Cousins.

Linebacker Gareth “Tish” Pullen took home the Defensive MVP Award, John Rudgard was named Lineman of the Year for the second year in a row, and Offensive Lineman Nathan Spencer won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Ouse Valley Eagles 2016 Award winners
  • Joint Players Player of the Year – Ross Hubbard and Danny Cousins
  • Most Valuable Player – Ross Hubbard
  • Defensive MVP – Gareth Pullen
  • Offensive MVP – Ross Hubbard
  • Lineman of the Year – John Rudgard
  • Rookie of the Year – Nathan Spencer
  • Most Improved Player – Rhian Shirley

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2016 Awards Night

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

The Ouse Valley Eagles 2016 Player of the Year Awards take place tonight at Revolution Milton Keynes.

It’s the biggest night of the year, where we can celebrate the achievements of the club and the players and look back on the 2016 season.

We’ll announce the winners first on Twitter and Facebook and post a detailed report here, but in the meantime here’s a reminder of the previous winners:

2015 Winners

Players’ Player of the Year – Justin LaRoda
Most Valuable Player – Justin LaRoda
Defensive MVP – Gareth Pullen
Offensive MVP – Justin LaRoda
Lineman of the Year – John Rudgard
Rookie of the Year – Danny Cousins
Most Improved Player – Martin Day

2014 Winners

Players’ Player of the Year – Gareth ‘Tish’ Pullen and Darren Gregory.
Most Valuable Player – Chris Parr
Defensive MVP – Darren Gregory
Offensive MVP – Dale Hawes
Lineman of the Year – Andy Larwill
Rookie of the Year – John Rudgard
Most Improved Player – Vasco Dias

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2017 Rookie Sessions announced

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

The Club are very pleased to be able to confirm the dates of our Rookie/Come and Try Sessions ahead of the 2017 season.

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 try it out at one of our sessions?

Open to those wanting to play for the Senior Team (18+), dedicated Rookie Sessions will take place in Bedford on Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th January 2017.

They will be followed by a full, kitted practice on Sunday 22nd January and a two-practice “mini-camp” on Sunday 29th as preparations for the 2017 season ramp up.

Times and locations for each sessions will be announced in due course. For further information please get in touch by completing the form below, or via our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Register

I am happy to receive correspondence related to rookie sessions and training.

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NEWS | McMaster named new Head Coach

20 Sep
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , ,

The Club are delighted to announce that Neale McMaster has been named the new Head Coach of the senior team.

McMaster takes over from Interim HC Darren Hill who took the reins shortly before the start of the 2016 season, and says he is looking forward to the challenge:

I am incredibly proud and honored to be named the third Head Coach of the Eagles.

It’s a role I take with great excitement. I know the standards the club expects, I know what the goals are and I can’t wait to get started and help the club achieve those goals.

I’m taking charge of a team that for the first time is expecting to return more than 75% of its players from last year, which gives us a much better platform to start from than in previous seasons, and by focusing on culture and developing people as well as just ‘players and coaches’, I’m sure we can exceed our expectations early and be consistent in that.

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.

As a result of his appointment as HC he will be stepping down from Chairman duties with immediate effect, with Vice Chairman Mark Chilton taking temporary charge until the AGM in November.

On his appointment, the Committee released a joint statement:

Nellie is one of brightest young coaches in the country and we look forward to working closely with him in his new role.

We would like to thank him for his efforts and dedication as Chairman, during which time we have firmly established ourselves as one of the leading Clubs in the area, and have expanded to include Flag and Youth teams.

We would also like to thank Darren Hill for his hard work as Interim Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, and wish him all the best for the future.

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Eagles looking for new Head Coach

Eagles
04 Aug
Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football , ,

Ouse Valley Eagles American Football Club, currently based in Bedford, are looking to appoint a new Head Coach to lead the Senior Team and continue to push the club forwards.

The Eagles were formed ahead of the 2014 season following a merger of the Milton Keynes Pathfinders and Bedfordshire Blue Raiders, and were promoted from Division 2 to Division 1 (now the MFC1) at the end of our first season.

We have made the play-offs twice in the last three seasons, and aspire to build a team and brand capable of not only competing in the Premier Division, but to create a sustainable program that competes perennially and develops the game in our region, which includes Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

The Role

As Head Coach of our Senior Team, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of the pre-season programme, working with our existing group of coaches.

The Head Coach will also be expected to take on a role as a positional coach, be responsible for the appointment and development of new coaches, and will collaborate with the Club Committee on all matters impacting on-field activities.

Player retention, recruitment and development is central to the role, and as such you will be expected to work alongside Youth Team coaches in order to facilitate the transition of youth players into the adult program, demonstrating and promoting the values of the Club at all levels.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will hold a Level 2 BAFCA Coaching Qualification in American Football (Level 1 essential) and have previous experience either as a Head Coach or Coordinator.

They will be available for all pre-season activities (including pre-season camps), in-season practices and games, will have a forward-thinking approach to American Football, a positive attitude, a passion for developing talent and be able to use video analysis tools (i.e. HUDL/Krossover).

We wish applicants to be upfront concerning their current and future coaching commitments and/or involvement with any University teams.

Application Process

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to interview for the role by the current Committee. When attending the interview, candidates will be expected to bring the following:

• Proof of coaching qualifications
• Year 1 Programme Plan
• 3-Year Development Plan
• List of potential coaching staff candidates to work with

To apply for this voluntary position or enquire further, please contact Vice Chairman Mark Chilton via mark.chilton@oveagles.com before 5pm on Wednesday 31st August 2016. All correspondence will be treated in confidence.

The Committee would like to sincerely thank Darren Hill for his efforts since stepping in as Interim Head Coach shortly before the start of the season.

The date for applications have now passed. Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in the role, we will be in touch with shortlisted candidates to arrange interviews shortly.

Eagles season ends in defeat against the Bulls

04 Aug
Michael Dilley All News, Reports, Senior Football , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Eagles’ 2016 season came to a disappointing end with a 41-28 defeat away to the Birmingham Bulls on Sunday, thanks in no small part to a disastrous third quarter.

The Bulls received the opening kick off and after a strong drive that included successfully converting a 4th and 6 attempt on the Eagles 15-yard line, opened the scoring following a complete pass from one-yard out.

On the Eagles’ first possession a big pass completion and gain from Ross Hubbard took the offense to the Bulls 37 but the drive stalled, and the hosts were backed up inside their five-yard line following the punt.

Birmingham managed to drive to around halfway before being forced to punt, and it was the Eagles’ turn to start inside their own five.

Strong running from Kase Chibwe and a catch from Alex Smith took the Eagles to up to their 41 at the end of the first quarter, and another catch from Hubbard to start the second period moved the ball into Bulls territory.

Another completed pass to Smith took the Eagles to the 36 but a fumble on the next play was recovered by the Bulls and returned to the Eagles 28, where only a last-ditch tackle from QB Zach Wodaege prevented the lead being extended.

The Bulls got as far as the 14 before having to settle for a field goal attempt, but after the snap was fumbled the Eagles regained possession on halfway thanks to Mal Stevenson.

More strong running eventually resulted in first and goal on the four, and Chibwe crossed the line to reduce the deficit to 7-6 after the unsuccessful PAT attempt.

Andy Larwill’s fumble recovery got the Eagles the ball back quickly just inside the Bulls half, and when Wodaege connected with Smith from 36 yards out – running backwards – the Eagles had the lead.

The Bulls drove to halfway at the two-minute warning and down to the 18-yard line soon after, but Tony Ledger’s interception killed the momentum and the Eagles were unable to capitalise before the half, despite several quick first downs.

Half-Time: Bulls 7 Eagles 12

The Eagles received the kick off to start the second half but the drive stalled in the Bulls half and they regained possession on their ten-yard line after Ross Hubbard’s punt.

A 23-yard run and 14-yard pass took the Bulls to midfield, and a 53-yard pass over the top unlocked the Eagles secondary to regain the lead, the PAT attempt making the score 14-12.

The Bulls forced a fumble on the kick return and returned it for a touchdown, converted a two-point attempt to extend their lead to 22-12, and capitalised on another fumble on fourth and short on the Eagles’ next possession to take the score to 28-12 after an unsuccessful two-point attempt.

When the Eagles fumbled another kick off return to hand the ball back to the Bulls they wasted no time in punching the ball in again to make it 27 unanswered points in a horrific third period from an Eagles perspective.

The fourth quarter started with a strong offensive drive from the Eagles that was ended by a five-yard touchdown run by Chibwe and two-point conversion to cut the score to 34-20, but any chances of an unlikely comeback were put to bed on the Bulls’ next possession (41-20).

The final touchdown of the game came from departing QB Wodaege who ran the ball in for the Eagles from inside the five, and Gareth “Tish” Pullen trundled across the line for the two-point conversion to make the final score 41-28 to the Bulls.

After the game Interim Head Coach Darren Hill informed the team that he would not be putting himself forward for the position on a regular basis. Further details will be announced in due course.

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Doncaster game postponed

16 Jul
Michael Dilley All News, Gameday, Senior Football ,

Please be aware that due to circumstances out of our control, tomorrow’s game vs Doncaster Mustangs has been postponed.

We are doing what we can to get the game rearranged, and will publish any further information once confirmed.

Sincere apologies for all inconvenience caused, especially to our friends at the Mustangs.

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PREVIEW | Doncaster Mustangs (H)

15 Jul
Michael Dilley All News, Previews, Senior Football , , ,

The Eagles’ fourth and final home game of the 2016 season takes place this Sunday as we welcome the Doncaster Mustangs to Bedford International Athletics Stadium in the Midlands Football Conference (12pm).

TThe Mustangs were formed in 2002 by Mark Blyth, Doug McLean and James Berry, who had grown tired of driving to Merseyside to coach and play for the Nighthawks each weekend.

In the team’s second year they won the BAFL Division 2 title following an undefeated season which culminated in a 32-13 win over the Chiltern (now Hertfordshire) Cheetahs at the Don Valley Stadium in the bowl game.

The team made it back to the play-offs in 2005, and in 2007 moved to the newly-opened Keepmoat Stadium.

After three seasons in the Premier Division North between 2012 and 2014 where they posted successive records of 6-3-1, 6-4 and 0-9, the Mustangs were relegated to the restructured Northern Football Conference 1.

Last season the Mustangs went 4-6 to finish eighth in NFC 1, which included a strong finish to the campaign that saw them win their last three games.

Their first game of the season was the 13-12 defeat against the Eagles on 17th April, and they picked up their first win two weeks later against the Birmingham Bulls (20-13).

Since then they beat the impressive Sandwell Steelers 6-3, lost at the Nottingham Caesars (16-12) before getting their revenge at home (36-19).

In their last two games they completed the double over the Bulls thanks to a convincing 30-12 win at the Keepmoat, but in their last game went down 48-0 away to the Steelers.

After Peterborough pulled out of the league Sunday is the Mustangs’ last game of the season, and a win should be good enough to secure a play-off place.

The Eagles meanwhile come into the game on the back of an impressive 40-19 victory over the Nottingham Caesars last month to move to 4-4 for the season, with a place in the play-offs still a possibility.

Team News

The Eagles will be without Kevin Kong, Miguel Alvarez-Frias, Nathaniel Ashby and Oliver Lattimer, as well as long-term injury victims defensive back Vasco Dias (knee), offensive lineman James Busby (leg) and defensive lineman Anthony Ogunleye (shoulder).

MustangsCover

In this week’s Programme

This week’s programme cover features Chairman and Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster.

Inside we hear from McMaster, Interim Head Coach Darren Hill and Rookie of the Week Nathan Spencer.

We also have a feature on our visitors the Doncaster Mustangs, a Spectator Guide and more.

The programme is free with admission (£2 each for adults or free for under-18s).

Directions

Our home games are played at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB.

The Bedford River Festival is taking place this weekend which means there may be some road closures in place around the Embankment, so please ensure you leave extra time to get to BIAS for the game:

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