Tag: Bedford Blackhawks

FLAG | Blackhawks looking for a Head Coach

13 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football , ,

The Bedford Blackhawks Senior Flag Team, who currently play home games in Sandy, are looking to appoint a new Head Coach to lead the team and take them forward.

The Blackhawks were formed ahead of the 2016 season and are aimed at players aged 16 and over. In the 2017 season they will play in the SEC North Division alongside Aylesbury Vale Spartans, Ware Wolves and West Essex Showboats.

Flag football is a non-contact version of American Football where tackles are made by pulling a flag off an opposing player. The game retains the same principles as the contact form, but in a 5v5 non-contact arena with a maximum of 12 players per squad, and is a tremendous way to increase passing and catching fundamentals.

It is the fastest growing format of the game in Great Britain, encompassing schools, colleges, universities and community football.

The Role

As Head Coach of the Blackhawks Flag Team, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of training sessions specifically suited to Flag Football.

You will maintain and develop a team playbook as well as a player depth chart, and be responsible for the in-game play calling and substitutions.

Player retention, recruitment and development is central to the role. As such you will be expected to work alongside our Senior and Youth Team coaches in order to facilitate the transition of youth players into the adult program, and from contact to flag football (and vice versa) as appropriate, demonstrating and promoting the values of the Club at all levels.

The Head Coach will collaborate with the Club Committee on all matters impacting on-field activities related to Flag Football.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will hold a Level 1 BAFCA Coaching Qualification in American Football and have previous coaching experience.

They will be available for practice sessions and games, be highly organised, able to communicate effectively, have a forward-thinking approach to Flag Football, a positive attitude and a passion for developing talent.

Application Process

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to interview for the role by the current Committee. To apply for this voluntary position or enquire further, complete the form below before 5pm on Friday 31st March 2017.

All correspondence will be treated in confidence.

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PREVIEW | Blackhawks host the Wolves and Panthers

14 Jul
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Previews , , , ,

The Blackhawks are back in action this weekend for the next round of BAFA Flag Southeastern Conference games.

The matches take place on Saturday, are hosted by the ‘Hawks and also feature Ware Wolves and Victoria Park Panthers. Bishop’s Stortford HighFlyers have withdrawn.

The Blackhawks have their full squad available and will at full strength for the game, and Jed Parisi is looking forward to making a final push for a place in the post-season:

It is the penultimate gameday of the season for us and with a team in our division dropping out it tightens everything up again, and a second win against Ware will really help us to push to make the play-offs this year.

Schedule

The first game of the day will kick off at 10am, and pairs the Blackhawks with the Wolves. After Highflyers pulled out of the league the reduced schedule for the morning is:

  • Bedford Blackhawks vs Ware Wolves
  • Ware Wolves vs Victoria Park Panthers
Directions

The games will take place at Sunderland Road Recreation Ground, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 1QY:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Sandy to watch the games we will be providing regular updates via the Blackhawks Twitter and Facebook pages.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Blackhawks look to build on first win

10 Jun
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Previews , , , , , ,

The Blackhawks travel back to East London this weekend for their next round of BAFA Flag Southeastern Conference games.

The matches, which take place tomorrow, are hosted by the Victoria Park Panthers and as well as the Blackhawks feature the West Essex Showboats and Aylesbury Vale Panthers.

The Blackhawks will be without a number of regular players for tomorrow’s game, as Jed Parisi (cornerback), Jonny Stratford (linebacker), Cody Hinton (cornerback), PJ Pateman (cornerback) and Josh Randall (wide receiver) are all unavailable.

In the most recent meetings between the sides the Blackhawks lost 56-0 to the Showboats and 32-18 to the Spartans, but speaking on behalf of the team Jake Cooper said that the team aren’t giving up on the post-season yet:

The guys are looking to take the boost we gained through our first league win last weekend and translate that into further success for the ‘Hawks.

With a crucial fixture between us and the Spartans taking place that if we win, keeps our dreams of play-off football alive, this game day is arguably one of our most important.

We won’t be at full strength due to handful of absentees, however the players that will be travelling down are sure to give their all to try and bring home another W.

Schedule

The first game of the day will kick off at 11am, and pairs the Spartans with the hosts. The full schedule for the day is:

  • Aylesbury Vale Spartans vs Victoria Park Panthers
  • Bedford Blackhawks vs West Essex Showboats
  • West Essex Showboats vs Victoria Park Panthers
  • Bedford Blackhawks vs Aylesbury Vale Spartans
Directions

The games will take place on the old section of Wanstead Flats: Harrow Road, E11 3QD:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Wanstead to watch the games, we will be providing regular updates via the Blackhawks Twitter and Facebook pages.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Blackhawks ready for round two

03 Jun
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Previews , , , , ,

The Blackhawks make the short journey to Aylesbury this Saturday (4th June) for their second round of BAFA Flag Southeastern Conference games.

The games are hosted by the Aylesbury Vale Spartans as well as the Blackhawks also feature Reading Knights, London Rebels and Bishop’s Stortford High Flyers

It will be the Blackhawks’ first games against the Rebels and the Knights, and also sees Wide Receiver Ross Sherratt and Cornerback PJ Pateman make their debuts for the team.

Speaking on behalf of the Blackhawks, Jed Parisi said:

We have been training hard since our last gameday, and with Coach Papworth’s help have been working to iron out the creases.

We have a bunch of new guys who have all added something to the team. The buzz is really good and we are focused on trying to bring in our first win of the season.

Schedule

The first game of the day is due to kick at 10am, and pairs the hosts with the Reading Knights. The full schedule for the day is:

  • Aylesbury Vale Spartans vs Reading Knights
  • Bedford Blackhawks vs London Rebels
  • Bedford Blackhawks vs Reading Knights
  • Bishop’s Stortford High Flyers vs Reading Knights
  • Bishop’s Stortford High Flyers vs London Rebels
  • Aylesbury Vale Spartans vs London Rebels
Directions

The games will take place on the Fairford Leys football pitches, Andrews Way, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8QQ:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Aylesbury to watch the games, we will be providing regular updates via the Blackhawks Twitter and Facebook pages.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

PREVIEW | Blackhawks to make BAFA debut this weekend

12 May
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football, Previews , , , , ,

The Blackhawks travel to East London this weekend for their first BAFA Flag Southeastern Conference games of the season.

The games, which take place on Saturday, are hosted by the Victoria Park Panthers and as well as the Blackhawks feature the West Essex Showboats and Aylesbury Vale Panthers.

The only previous encounter between the Blackhawks and any of the teams involved came during the Blackhawk Bowl in February, where the Spartans were victorious over the young ‘Hawks 32-0.

Wide Receivers Connor Stratford, Ryan Moulding and Ross Sherratt all make their debuts for the Blackhawks this weekend as does Cornerback Cody Hinton, and speaking on behalf of the team Jake Cooper says he can’t wait to get the season started:

Along with the rest of the squad I am itching to kick off our debut season in the BAFA Flag Leagues.

Having worked with the majority of the squad for around half a year I have a great deal of faith that this collaboration of players could in time become something incredibly special.

We have players on the roster who have natural ability in abundance, although this may not appear in the pre-season tournament scorelines.

The players have got their heads down and worked week in week out on the lessons learned during those tournaments, and although we are up against arguably the three leading teams in the division this weekend we are looking forward to the challenge.

Schedule

The first game of the day will kick off at 10am, and pairs the Blackhawks up against the hosts. The full schedule for the day is:

  • Victoria Park Panthers vs Bedford Blackhawks
  • West Essex Showboats vs Bedford Blackhawks
  • West Essex Showboats vs Victoria Park Panthers
  • Aylesbury Vale Spartans vs Bedford Blackhawks
  • Victoria Park Panthers vs Aylesbury Vale Spartans
Directions

The games will take place on the old section of Wanstead Flats: Harrow Road, E11 3QD:

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Wanstead to watch the games, we will be providing regular updates via the Blackhawks Twitter and Facebook pages.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

Outlaw Flag League Schedule Released

Outlaw Flag League
15 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football , , , , , ,

The schedule for the Outlaw Flag League 2016 has been released, and sees the Blackhawks kick off against Reading Lions and Manchester Crows on Sunday 28th August.

The young Blackhawks have been placed in the Bandit Flag Conference (BFC) North Division along with the Crows and Chichester Sharks, and will also play members of the Exile Flag Conference (EFC) North Division – Northants Titants Oceanus, Reading Lions and Staffordshire Surge Academy.

The schedule is based on the twelve teams currently entered into the league. If additional teams join the league the schedule will be updated accordingly:

Sunday 28th August
  • vs Reading Lions
  • vs Manchester Crows
Sunday 25th September
  • vs Chichester Sharks
  • vs Northants Titans Oceanus
  • vs Staffordshire Surge Academy
Sunday 9th October
  • vs Reading Lions
  • vs Manchester Crows
Sunday 6th November
  • vs Chichester Sharks
  • vs Northants Titans Oceanus
  • vs Staffordshire Surge Academy

You can read the full Blackhawks schedule for 2016 here.

Blackhawks to play in NuOla Spring Shield

18 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football ,

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:

Blackhawks Uniform Unveiled

01 Mar
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football , , ,

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.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, squad details and events with out new mobile app for iOS and Android:

  • App Store
  • Google Play Store

Gallery | 2016 Blackhawk Bowl

28 Feb
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football , , , , , ,

Selection of photos from the 2016 Blackhawk Bowl, Saturday 27th February 2016.

All photos courtesy of JennaLou Photography. To view the full gallery, check out her album on Facebook.

Blackhawk Bowl

16 Feb
Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football , , , , ,

The Blackhawk Bowl Flag Tournament takes place this Sunday at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, sponsored by Bul-1 Civil Engineering.

The tournament is the Blackhawks’ first taste of competitive action and sees them up against three other teams who are confirmed as attending:

– Aylesbury Vale Spartans
– Northants Phantoms
– Northants Titans

Flag football is the fastest growing format of the game in Great Britain encompassing schools, colleges, universities and community football.

Flag is non-contact version of American Football where tackles are made by pulling a flag off an opposing player. The game retains the same principles as the contact form but in a 5v5 non-contact arena, and is a tremendous way to increase passing and catching fundamentals.

The first game is scheduled to kick-off at 9.30am, the tournament will run until around 2pm and there is free admission for all.

A trophy and medals will be up for grabs for the winning team, and a trophy will also be presented to the runners up.

JennaLou Photography will also be in attendance on the day.