Tag: Eagles

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.

GAMEDAY LIVE | Eagles at Caesars

12 Jun
Michael Dilley All News, Gameday, Senior Football , , , , ,

Welcome to live coverage of this afternoon’s Midlands Football Conference game between the Eagles and Nottingham Caesars at Harvey Hadden Stadium, Nottingham, kicking off at 2.30pm.

The video below is provided free of charge by our friends at CaesarsTV .

Join in the Conversation

Have your say on the game by including #OVEvsNOT in your tweets:


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CAPTAIN’S LOG | Ross Hubbard

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

Last week we caught up with Offensive Captain Ross Hubbard to get his thoughts on the 2016 season so far…

How has the season been for you so far?

It’s been frustrating especially from an offensive point of view. We had a great pre-season through three camps but we have struggled to replicate that in the first half of the year.

We will keep working and at some point we will click! We have the talent and players for an exciting, high scoring offense.

How have your preparations for this season varied compared to last year?

Very different. Last year was the first with the team and I came in late so was really playing catch-up with the playbook.

This year I have had a full off season and have put a lot of work in, firstly to recover from a broken arm at the end of last year and then getting comfortable with what we are trying to do on offense and be in better shape!

How do you think this offense compares to last season’s?

It’s different that’s for sure! Last year Justin (LaRoda, QB) made a lot happen off broken plays and outside the playbook and to be honest we got to a position where we relied on him too much.

This year we are more about scheme and execution which is taking a bit longer to come to fruition on the field but when it works we can cause a lot of trouble for defences.

What do you think makes you a good captain?

I aim to lead from the front, that’s always been important to me, whether that’s getting to practice, gym work away from the team, playbook knowledge!

I think it’s easy to talk about these to your team mates but you have to go out and do those things yourself.

What do you enjoy most about playing for the Eagles?

There is a great ethos that is starting to develop at the club, which is coming down from the coaches. This is more than just results, but really about making yourself a better player.

I think this is shown by how successful the camps were pre-season and how many first and second year guys are getting onto the field, and it’s a great environment to play football in!

Do you have any targets for the 2016 season?

I think the main target is to get the offense to start playing the way we want to, and the way we know we can.

A lot of people have already written us off so to prove them wrong would be nice!

What’s your favourite football memory?

I have loads of great memories through football, but the best has to be playing in the BUAFL Championship game in 2010 for the Loughborough Aces. That was a great team and great season to be a part of that programme.

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ROOKIE REPORT | Joey Foggan

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

For the Bulls programme we caught up with rookie linebacker Joey Foggan to get his thoughts on life with the Eagles so far…

Name: Joey Foggan
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6ft 1ins
Weight: 220lbs
Hometown: Watford, Hertfordshire
Age: 23
Favourite NFL team: Atlanta Falcons
Favourite NFL player: Lawrence Taylor

How did you get involved with American football?

I have family in America and have been traveling back and forth from a young age and football has just become apart of my life.

Following from quite a young age I had a massive frustration as the sport was not big over here so I could never get to play or find people to talk about it with, but over recent years it has absolutely boomed across the UK which is great.

Has anything taken you by surprise so far?

The level of commitment and work you put in for the sport. Be that at the gym, playbooks, training. All these things make you a better player.

What is your favourite thing about playing for the Eagles so far?

My favourite thing about the Eagles so far would be the mini camps before the season started, the level of commitment and the time and effort put in by the coaches and players to get us ready for the season was outstanding.

I knew after the first camp this is where I wanted to be as a player. To create success you need to be around people who are like minded in achieving the same goals.

What are your aims for the rest of this season?

As a rookie I’m still trying to make plays when I’m on the field, this season I need to show my coaches that I can be that guy that when called on can step up and deliver.

But the time I’ve spent on field the opponents have not scored so my goal for the rest of the season now is that every opportunity I get to go on the field the other team does not score.

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

Just do it! You won’t feel more alive, any problems outside of football, bills, work, nagging missus all go away and it’s just football!

There’s no better feeling than padding up and entering the field to do battle with another man! Follow the Eagles on Facebook or Twitter to find out when practice is or when the rookie days are and give it a try.

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CAPTAIN’S LOG | Gareth Pullen

30 May
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football , ,

Recently we caught up with Defensive Captain and current Defensive MVP Gareth Pullen to get his thoughts on the 2016 season so far…

How has the season been for you so far and how have your preparations for it varied compared to last year?

Very good, I have been working closely with Jon Rudgard (the team’s resident strong man) and also had some outside help from a speed coach in order to develop my movement.

Developing my core lifts along with adding Olympic ones has really improved my range of movement.

Last year I didn’t really know what I was in for and made a lot of changes to how I trained throughout the season.

This year I knew what my strong points were and I knew what my weak points were, so I was able to tailor my training to suit that.

We also had weekly gym sessions, ran by John Rudgard who’s also on the O Line, they were great to teach us what we should be doing in the gym and how to train on our own.

How do you think this defense compares to last season’s?

We have a lot of new guys who ooze potential, all we need is to get them more experience and they will be the bedrock of the future.

What do you think makes you a good captain?

I believe my leadership comes from the commitment and effort I put in on and off the field.

My teammates see this and buy into the team ethos of putting the effort in off the field as well as on it.

Loving the process is what makes people successful, and I try to demonstrate that.

What do you enjoy most about playing for the Eagles?

We have a great team first structure that guys believe in.

It isn’t about one man, it is everyone in it together. We are friends on and off the field, and that makes a big difference.

Do you have any targets for the 2016 season?

Just keep building on the foundations we have set out as a team.

I really just want to keep everyone focused on this season and driving everyone to get better.

What’s your favourite football memory?

My favourite memory has to have come from this year.

After losing to an opponent, one of their guys who I’d played with in a memorial match a few years before got in touch.

He told me that my attitude had affected him positively and really helped his love of the game.

That same guy was his team’s MVP, and to know his success is linked to my passion is something I will never forget.

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ROOKIE REPORT | Matthew Greet

27 May
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try, Senior Football , , ,

Recently we caught up with rookie defensive lineman Matthew Greet to get his thoughts on life with the Eagles so far…

Name: Matthew Greet
Position: Defensive End / Linebacker
Height: 6ft
Weight: 207lbs
Hometown: St Neots, Cambridgeshire
Age: 32
Favourite NFL team: Carolina Panthers
Favourite NFL player: Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly

How did you get involved with American football?

Believe it or not it is all down to my wife, it was her that got me started watching it (she loves it and it is the only sport I can watch on TV without getting moaned at).

The more I watched and understood the more I thought about how I would like to give it a go.

I ended up coming to the games last year and watching and decided that I would come and play the next year.

Has anything taken you by surprise so far?

The whole organisation and ethos is what has surprised me the most, everyone is so committed to the team and each other.

How much time and effort goes into the practices, the drive from the coaches and senior members to make you want to live up to their standards and be the best that you can possibly be; everyone is always there to help and offer advice about how to improve and that ultimately gives you the drive and ambition that can be used on and off the field.

Joining the Eagles has made a huge positive impact on my life.

What is your favourite thing about playing for the Eagles so far?

Being a part of a team, and being a part of something that is bigger than yourself, it is the feeling and anticipation before a game and the feeling after whether it is win or lose, the camaraderie, the knocks bruises and aches and knowing that everyone else will be feeling the same on a Monday – but it is totally worth it to put on that shirt with your numbers on it.

What are your aims for the season?

I aim to get bigger, faster and stronger and cement a place in the team for myself.

So that means more effort on and off the field and trying to improve each week even if it is just by a small amount to get there.

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

What are you waiting for? It’s good fun, stop considering it and come and have a go.

Follow the Eagles on Facebook or Twitter to find out when practice is or when the rookie days are and give it a try.

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Eagles slip to third defeat of the season

24 May
Michael Dilley All News, Reports, Senior Football , , , , , , , , , ,

The Eagles dropped to 3-3 for the season following a disappointing 14-0 defeat at home to Sandwell Steelers on Sunday at Bedford International Athletic Stadium.

The Steelers returned the opening kick-off to their 29-yard line but were forced to punt on their opening possession, Zach Wodaege and the Eagles offense taking over possession on the 45.

Quick passes completed to Ross Hubbard and Cody Hausenbuiller gave the hosts a first down but possession was turned over just two plays later thanks to an interception by the Sandwell secondary.

A big run through the middle took Sandwell to the edge of the red zone, and more good running gave them first and goal, on the five, where another run opened the scoring. The extra point attempt was successful, and gave the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Byron Chowles’ impressive kick-off return again gave the Eagles good starting field position, and this time around they looked more likely to capitalise.

They drove the ball into the Sandwell red zone and up to the 15-yard line and went for it on fourth and four, but the Steeler defensive line held strong to force a turnover on downs on their own 7-yard line.

Sandwell’s next possession got off to a shaky start as a result of a fumble which they managed to recover on their own 4-yard line, but as the first quarter ended had been able to drive the ball to around halfway.

Their impressive drive continued with a combination of short passes and strong running, and after converting a 4th and 3 on the five-yard line had a first and goal on the Eagles 2.

Excellent defensive play lead by defensive tackle Andy Larwill soon turned first and goal at the 2 to third and goal at the 15, and when a Steelers pass was incomplete on 4th and goal the Eagles took over on downs on their own 5.

Running Back Jamahl Watson broke a run through to the 37 but the drive stalled, and a muffed fake punt handed the Steelers the ball back on the Eagles 38-yard line.

Sandwell’s drive progressed as far as the 22 before going for it on 4th down and coming up short, but they had the ball back just a couple of plays later when Eagles QB Zach Wodaege was adjudged to have fumbled the ball.image

They were unable to capitalise however, and had a field goal attempt blocked shortly before the end of the half.

HALF-TIME: EAGLES 0 STEELERS 7

The Eagles received the ball to start the second half and started on their own 27-yard line following a holding penalty, and thought they were back in the game early on.

Wodaege’s bomb was spectacularly caught by Alex Smith who duly took the ball to the house, only to see the score chalked off for a penalty against the offensive line.

It was a body blow for an offense struggling to get a toehold on the game, who were then forced to punt.

Sandwell were unable to capitalise on their next possession but backed the Eagles up inside their 5-yard line thanks to a booming punt.

Wodaege’s pass was picked off by the Sandwell secondary to give them the ball back on the 14, and further strong running resulted in the second and final score of the game.

Both sides exchanged possessions in the fourth quarter, and although the Eagles defence forced fumbles via Julian Ikeme and Andy Larwill the game finished 14-0 to the visitors.

The Eagles are back in BAFANL action on Sunday 5th June at home to Birmingham Bulls.

Kick-off is midday at BIAS, with admission priced at £2 each for adults (for which you receive a free programme) or free for those under-18.

Pictures courtesy of Steve Guy.

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