Tag: Sportivate

Eagles to launch satellite youth club in Buckingham

20 Apr
Michael Dilley All News, Youth Football , , ,

The Eagles have a key mission to promote the sport of American Football and grow youth participation in our region. There’s lots of evidence to show that encouraging young people into the game early has benefits to the game and to public health objectives in general.

We have been partnering with American Football Development (AFD) to build an entry level program to be hosted at schools and colleges in Bedfordshire and North Buckinghamshire.

We are delighted to announce that The Bucks and Milton Keynes Sports and Activity Partnership (LEAP) has awarded Ouse Valley Eagles a grant of £3000. This is to build a satellite youth club operating out of Buckingham School for the next two seasons and builds on a successful Sportivate seven week taster session which we ran in Buckingham before last Christmas. AFD will provide the initial coaching delivery.

Part of the program is to create a sustainable coaching model in order to train at least ten aspiring coaches through an accreditation pathway during this period. These will be drawn from existing teaching staff, OVE senior players and potential coaches new to the sport.

We would like to thank and acknowledge the support of AFD, LEAP and Aylesbury Vale Disctict Council in establishing this opportunity. We plan to extend this model to further schools and colleges and grow a network of satellite clubs with Ouse Valley Eagles as the hub.

Speaking on behalf of the Club, Vice Chairman Mark Chilton commented:

This represents another step in our Club’s development.

There has been a recent surge of interest in American Football among the 14-17 year age range. The sport has a responsibility to capitalise on that to grow participation at all levels of the game in terms of playing, coaching and support.

This a great opportunity and hopefully the first of many.

Guthrie Miller of AFD agreed:

This is fantastic news. AFD are looking forward to working with OVE to get the program up and running.

If you would like further information about satellite club development or how your school or college may partner with the Eagles in a similar way please get in touch.

American Football ‘Sportivate’ Program in Buckingham School

23 Oct
Michael Dilley All News, Come and Try , , , , , , ,

The Eagles are delighted to announce a Youth American Football program starting at Buckingham School.

The Club have worked in partnership with LEAP, The Bucks & MK Sport & Activity Partnership, and Aylesbury Vale District Council to fund an eight-week taster session under the Sportivate program.

Sessions will be delivered by American Football Development, who provide cleared and accredited coaches on a national basis, and are partnering with The Eagles to deliver this program. They will be held on Thursday afternoons at 15:30 – 17:00 starting on 22 October during term time.

The program is designed to introduce some fundamental skills of the sport such as passing, catching, running with the ball, flag tackling and general game play. The intention is that this will lead into the development of a satellite community club under the Eagles’ banner, in Buckingham in early 2016.

Speaking on behalf of the Eagles, Vice Chairman Mark Chilton said:

This is a great chance for young athletes in the Buckingham area school system to try out the sport of American Football. The Ouse Valley Eagles are proud to be working with Leap, AVDC and AFD to provide this introductory opportunity which we are keen to extend into next year and beyond.

Gur Samuel, Managing Director of American Football Development added:

Anyone who’s involved with the British American football community knows the phenomenal work Neale (McMaster, Club Chairman) Mark and the rest of the OVE committee have done to build the club over the past few years, and AFD is thrilled to partner with the Eagles to help establish and expand their schools program throughout their region.

We’re delighted to be able to introduce this wonderful sport to the pupils of Buckingham School and to train up the future generations of Ouse Valley Eagles players.

Interest in American Football is at an all-time high given unrivalled TV coverage and NFL games being played in London for the next ten years. The Buckingham Sportivate program is open to secondary school age athletes regardless of gender. No experience is necessary or even expected!

For further information please contact Buckingham School on 01280 812206.