The Highs and Lows of Great Britain's succesful trip into Europe, by the players themselves

Article by Jo Kilby

Photos courtesy of Geoff White

 Full set of Gameday photos http://www.gw-images.com/final-gb-v-finland/4590228511

The dust has now settled on a fantastically successful Women’s European Championships.

Great Britain, having been the only team to qualify for the inaugural tournament, held in Granada, Spain, went from an unranked placing to silver medal winners and official second best European team classification, not bad for less than 2 years in the 11 a-side game, and now, whilst most of the players and staff are still on Cloud 9 – and rightly so – we asked a few of the gang to look back at some of their more memorable (and indeed sobering) moments for your delectation:

 

                                                  Oli Davies, RB #7 (Hertfordshire Tornadoes)

 

My tournament highs were when we went a touchdown up against Germany just before half-time (…with just seconds on the clock…) and I just knew from there that we were going to win; the training sessions before Sweden and Finland, just feeling good and ready and like we were a team in every single way and I’ve got to mention singing “We are the Champions” after the final, feeling like we really were and with all the other countries joining in too.  Away from football, on our one day off, swimming pool races kept morale (and competition) high whilst frequent, uncontrollable giggles with my room-mates were definitely of note. The only lows for me were not being able to get my teeth in to the Sweden game and, after such a great adventure with a great bunch of people, having to come home!

 

                                                  Lindsey Robson, OL #63 (Teesside Steelers)

We’re in the 4th quarter against Germany, we'd driven all the way down the field and its 40 degrees! We manage to punch it in and I get straight to the pitch-side tents for some water. During kick-off Jo Mann recovers a fumble, I remember I’d just taken my helmet off before everyone was screaming “OFFENSE you’re back on the field.” Back on goes the lid but after that next drive I come off and just fall to the floor. Before I knew it I’m shivering, and all I remember was being covered in ice towels with my feet above my head. I had to be carried on to the field for handshakes. I didn't know heat could do that. On a more positive note, and it’s an odd one, but swapping T-shirts and team gear with the other teams really broke up a long, tense day as we waited to play the final in the evening of the last day. I found myself laughing and making lots of new friends, I got some awesome souvenirs and found out just how much the players from other teams respected what we had achieved.

  

 

                                                    Robyn Steward, WR #48 (Leeds Carnegie)

I loved performing the Macarena at the end of the tournament with all the other teams and players as it was like this whole sense of togetherness overcame everyone, which was a great way to sign-off this amazing experience. Personally too, I loved dishing out a big crack block hit in the game against Germany. After such a great week together It was so hard to get on two different planes (one going North, one South) to return home to the UK.

 

 

                                                Jo Kilby, Captain, QB #15 (Birmingham Lions)

The moment of the Championships I think for me has to be playing Germany in the opening game of the tournament. On paper we shouldn’t have won, we probably shouldn’t have got anywhere near them, but we dogged it out, and on both sides of the ball, we were just relentless. To know that we sent shockwaves through Europe too with that singularly united display was a pretty momentous feeling and being part of an awesome team just magnified that experience. On a bum note, getting a bout of heat exhaustion half way-through the trip threatened, but fortunately - thanks to the care of the team’s medical staff and my team-mates – never materialised in to anything beyond a 24hr time-out.

 

                                                        Lucy Mott, OL #57 (London Warriors)

The entire Offensive Line getting MVP for our match against Sweden was pretty epic. On the line you get used to the fact that the recognition you get is often much less than other“glory” positions so this was completely unexpected and really sealed how special our unit of nine was – we really gelled as a group and worked to be the best team within a team that we could be, all while having levels of friendship and banter that occasionally sent a scared WR or DB running for the hills! The down-side to this whole amazing event is that it’s now over, and knowing that – for this exact group of people, under these precise inaugural circumstances – this experience will never be repeated again, is difficult to assimilate, plus going back to normal life has been tough. I’m still finding it hard to cope with having to schedule my own day and sort out my own food…and I miss daily-team-stretch!
  

 

 

                                             Vicci Rollinson, DL #62 (Hertfordshire Tornadoes)

 

Being around an awesome group of women and being taught by the best coaches in the country made this great experience in to an amazing one. The support from back home, from family and friends and from our own teams, and clubs from all around the country, was incredible and really humbling and that sticks out for me, along with winning the silver medal of course. The fact that post-match celebrations were cut well-short was a shame as I had dislocated my shoulder in the Finland game, which was beyond painful, but I got my hands on the medal before I left for hospital and that was the main thing.

 

                                            Julia Robinson, Captain, DB #27 (Solent Thrashers)

 

The several high-points for me which really defined the experience, from the medal ceremony and singing “We are the Champions” with the other teams, to stash swapping before the final, getting to know the other teams to seeing the stadium for the first time. Being named as one of the captains was also an incredible honour which will stay with me for a long time. Lows? Wow, well definitely tiredness and also some stressing before the Sweden game; from a less than high priority being restricted to the amount of pool and sun-bathing time was understandable but seemed a bit hard to get used to in such glorious weather!

                                Phoebe Schecter, Team Captain, LB #16 (Birmingham Lions)

Highlights of our week in Spain were the excitement of watching each team play their first game and seeing the playing level, as we had no idea how everyone would compare; Our first high, which was beating the German team, that was amazing. The night of playing Finland is one that I will never forget as it sunk in that we had won second place from being unseeded. That was a huge mountain to climb but we achieved it with all the hard work from the players, coaches, staff, supporters, BAFA and everyone else that's been involved since the beginning. It was all for that moment. Also, when we lifted our trophy, and later when we were singing 'We are the Champions' with the other teams, these were all just the most incredible moments. It’s fair to say we all rode an emotional, physical and mental roller-coaster at times throughout the tour, from the huge game against Germany (Sunday), swiftly followed by Sweden (Tuesday) and then that final high on Saturday in the game against Finland. We prepared so well for all of that but nothing can prepare you for that week after: You go away and surround yourself with your team, in a fully-scheduled environment, playing the sport you love for nine days and you are in a kind of state of euphoria, so there is somewhat of a withdrawal phase when you come home. Obviously everything returns to normal eventually, but still it’s hard to immediately fill the void that being with your football-sisters 24/7 brings; Well, except for more football, of course, that can definitely fill the void! With that in mind I can't wait to see what new talent joins the sport in 2016. 

Elaine Vassie, Social Media & Marketing Campaign Lead

Gosh lots of highs: introducing and getting the “Roar4GB" hashtag trending was pretty great which, in part, helped our BAFA Women Facebook profile garner over 240 new likes in one week alone. Plenty of local articles generated and coordinated also helped bring good exposure to our sport and clubs across the country. Personally, as I wasn’t able to attend the Championships due to illness – which was a massive low in itself - being able to watch the games and listen to the entertaining commentary was a huge plus, as I know it was for literally thousands of other people.

 

Lions hunting historic Championship win

 

Article by Gary Jordan

Photos courtesy of Geoff White - gw-images.com

The first IFAF Women’s European Championships have been a huge success. Great players have risen to the occasion and all the games so far have been played in a super atmosphere with a level of sportsmanship that other sports can learn from.

The six Group games were kicked off with a shock win (for those outside of Great Britain), and from there you could never be sure of the results as each Nation came into each game with high hopes.

Of course the story of the tournament has been the success of the Great Britain Women, who have never before entered a tournament and have equipped themselves marvellously against some of Europe’s finest. They of course have one more hurdle to negotiate and it is arguably the hardest.

Ranked Number One the Finnish side have brushed away the opposition with skill and confidence. Can they see their way past an adrenaline rushed GB? Were just a few short hours away from finding out.

Results so far –

Great Britain 17 Germany 6

Finland 56 Spain 18

Sweden 14 Great Britain 30

Spain 6 Austria 21

Austria 7 Finland 52

Germany 22 Sweden 12

Great Britain V Germany game images - http://www.gw-images.com/gb-v-germany-020815/4590164058

Sweden v Great Britain game images - http://www.gw-images.com/gb-v-sweden-040815/4590186483

Links for live coverage on Saturday August 8th

5^th/6^th Place game – Spain v Sweden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG8IFdX_2Og

3^rd/4^th Place game – Austria v Germany

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jzftTM5_8s

Final game – Finland v Great Britain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjc2Ex8JFSY

 

Team GB Women European Championships preview

Article by Gary Jordan 

Team photo courtesy of Luke Plastow - Plastow Photography 

 

The Great Britain Women’s Team fly out to Spain this weekend in search of European glory. Their rise to this stage has been nothing short of incredible and even though they are very humbled by being part of this six nation event, they are determined to not be there just to make up the numbers.

 

However the odds have been stacked against them somewhat with the draw not being all that kind. They will kick off the Championships, at the Estadio Maracena in Granada where all the games will be played, this Monday morning against a powerhouse of Women’s football, Germany. Following this will be another stern test when four days later they face Sweden. Whatever the outcome of those games they will play at least one more game as the tournament rounds off next Saturday when three games will be played to determine the 1-6 places.

Something that Team GB will have to their advantage is that they have had the finest of preparations, as they have had three mini-camp days under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Jim Messenger and his group of staff.

 

"We are absolutely delighted with the draw. To play the first ever game in this new event against the German national team is a real honour. Germany has the largest female American football league in Europe with a history that goes back over 20 years. Great Britain, by contrast, are the newcomers out of all the competing nations having played for less than three years. The other five nations have all taken part in at least one of the Women's World Championship events held in 2010 and 2013. This will be Team GB's first international tournament.” Coach Messenger told the BAFA Women’s official Facebook page.

"Of course, Germany will be massive favourites to win this game", said Messenger, "But we are really excited just to be taking part in the event." He continued; "It's been a real whirlwind start-up for women's football in Britain and we feel we have progressed very well, with the friendly fixture win over Sweden last year and the recent win over Russia to qualify for this tournament. But we know we still have a lot to learn even just about taking part in international tournaments."

 

Just before the Women flew out we managed to catch up with a few of them to hear how they felt about being called up and representing their country.

Verity Snell, LB, Derby Braves

“When I got the email confirming my place on the GB squad for the Women’s European Championships I felt truly honoured to be able to represent British American Football and BAFA’s women’s programme. I feel very proud of the team and everything we’ve achieved to date, but also of myself, for having come so far in such a short space of time.”

Jayne Goodliffe, LB, Unisgned

I was on my way to work when I found out I had made the team for Spain and for the rest of the day I had the biggest grin on my face. The whole summer has been a great experience and the opportunity to represent my country is very exciting. We’ve a mammoth task ahead of us, and for me - to learn all the rules, terminology and how to really get to grips with the linebacker position - is going to be an immense challenge, but one I’m really looking forward to.”

Julia Robinson, DB, Solent Thrashers

“The chance to represent your country playing a sport you love doesn't get any less special with time or with repetition and neither does the sense of anticipation. It gives me tingles all down the back of my neck, of excitement and eagerness, but also of pride to be part of such a strong team. I think coaches, staff and players all feel the magnitude of responsibility we carry going into this tournament for present and future generations of football for women in this country. The team spirit which comes from that shared feeling is something I hope will drive our players to produce some really special performances.”

Lindsey Robson, OL, Teesside Steelers

“Looking around at the final Diamond Series* day this year was the moment I realised how much I wanted that spot in Spain, there were around 17 linemen that day all vying for a place on the plane. As a unit we had a break before the game and I said to the girls "…this is it, last chance to show them what you've got and I'm telling you, I’m on that plane to Spain, who else is coming?" When I got the selection letter I was elated and I felt ready. Today I feel like this is what I've been building for. This tournament will build a great future for women’s football in our country and I'm proud to be one of the original foundations, hopefully paving the way for future generations from Great Britain to go on and represent across future European and even World Championships.”

Jo Kilby, QB, Birmingham Lions

“I’m excited, not nervous yet, but I’m sure I will be, come game day – when the magnitude of what we’re trying to do and who we’re playing sinks in, but in the interim, I’m just thinking I can’t wait to bring our brand of football to these Championships. We’re inexperienced, this sport is totally new for women in the UK and we’ll be the underdogs for sure but what an opportunity this is to test ourselves, as a group, and that’s what I’m living for right now, to stand shoulder to shoulder with my team-mates and to see just what is it we’re capable of. “

Elaine Vassie, Staff, Communications Officer

“Having initially attended BAFA’s first Development Days back in 2013 my relocation to Texas ironically prevented me from pursuing football with GB in the way I would have liked. I’d kept a close eye on the amazing progress the program and many friends involved in it were making both on a club and national stage and was continuously impressed with the level of professionalism. When I returned to the UK I received a call from GB Women’s Head Coach Jim Messenger, asking if I’d be interested in taking on the Communications Officer role for the team’s European challenge. More than a little surprised I of course said yes. I couldn't have been happier for the opportunity to be involved with the program – this team is a fantastic group of players and staff, and pulling on a shirt in any capacity with a GB logo on it will be an absolute privilege”

* The Diamond Series are BAFA’s 11-aside Development Days and represent the pathway to Great Britain selection.

 

Tournament Schedule

GROUP A – AUSTRIA, FINLAND, AND SPAIN.

GROUP B – GERMANY, GREAT BRITAIN, SWEDEN.

Sunday August 2^nd

Great Britain v Germany – 10.30am

Finland v Spain – 21.00

Tuesday August 4^th

Sweden v Great Britain – 10.30

Spain v Austria – 21.00

Thursday August 6^th

Germany v Sweden – 10.30

Austria v Finland – 21.00

Saturday August 8^th

5^th/6^th place game – 09.00

3^rd/4^th place game – 12.00

Final – 21.00

All games will be streamed live via the Official Championships Facebook page, for more details you can find that here https://www.facebook.com/wec2015Spain?fref=ts

We wish to thank Jo Kilby, Jim Messenger, and all of the Team GB players and staff for their help in putting this preview together and wish them all the best in their efforts over the next week.

The LIons are ready to ROAR!!

Article by Jo Kilby - Team GB Quarterback

It’s all starting to hot up now. GB’s squad for the European Championships has been finalised and communicated and that’s it, 45 of us (plus staff) are off in just over a month’s time to take part in IFAF’s inaugural and ground-breaking women’s American football tournament. Just over a month….it’s not long is it?



Photo Courtesy - gw-images.com

I can’t go into specifics, of course, about what our preparations will look like, but needless to say it will be intense and structured to enable us to compete rather than just participate.  That being said we know we have a massive task ahead of us in taking on both the Germans, for the opening game of the WHOLE tournament! And indeed Sweden, who I think it’s fair to say will be a dramatically different team to the one we played and beat in September 2014. Both nations have a much greater history in the sport than GB, by a long way, but that will only spur us on and as I’ve said before there’s nothing quite like a David and Goliath challenge to set the games alight, and being the underdog is always fun.

As for the squad – I’m excited.

We’ve got a good team developing, some incumbents from our very first (5-a-side) outing are still on board and firing on all cylinders and across the course of last and this summer some awesome new talent has arrived, including primed athletes from other sports, who know all about strategic and explosive physicality, so hats off to the world of rugby and ice hockey in helping to contribute to our team. 

It’s great to see too so many different club names on the roster sheet. Of course I’m a little Birmingham biased, but when all is said and done, once our Lions, Braves, Tornadoes, Warriors, Steelers, Romans, Titans, Carnegie and Thrashers decals come off our lids we’re all just one team, Lions yes, but of the Great Britain variety now.

So in the immediacy, what now? Well personally I’m looking forward to getting to know my new team-mates, these next few months will be an incredible journey for all of us, whatever happens, and I for one, can’t wait for Championship Day 1 to be just around the corner, and with that in mind: its 43 days and counting GB, 43 days and counting…

 

 

Team GB looking to upset the odds in first Euro Championships

Article by Jo Kilby
Photo Credit - gw-images.com

 

It was all to play for, on Sunday 5th May, as Great Britain’s Women took on Russia with a final place at IFAF’s inaugural European Championships at stake. Travelling with a small squad Russia competed with vigour and valour for the entirety of proceedings but were no match for the British squad, who, in dominating throughout, claimed a 54-6 victory and a seat at IFAF’s inaugural Women’s European Championships (to take place in Granada, Spain, August 2015).

Featuring players from nine clubs Birmingham’s Lions supplied a third of the GB squad and whilst their contribution was significant all clubs played their part in delivering value at every turn.

 

MVP’s Ruth Matta and Vicci Rollinson on the offense and defense, representing Birmingham and Hertfordshire’s Tornadoes respectively, both had big games, tormenting our guests at every turn, on both sides of the ball. Matta, adding a second MVP trophy to her awards’ cabinet, racked up 2 touchdowns in tearing up the turf, whilst Tornadoes’ Oli Davies was another significant thorn in the side, trading body-blows between them on the ground before Herts’ Jess Anderson stood up, literally - the rangy wide receiver pulling into two receptions for touchdowns courtesy of Lions’ Quarterback, Jo Kilby; all proceedings very much underpinned by the colossal efforts of GB’s fast-improving offensive line.

With the half-time score suggesting the game as a contest was over, the 35pts+ ruling came into effect to keep the game clock running, this failed to deter GB’s fierce defense however - led superbly by Lions linebacker and Team GB Captain, Phoebe Schecter – and between first and last whistles the imposing unit secured two interceptions, two safeties and a touchdown to claim a good day on the field. 

In securing a confidence-boosting win for this still very rookie team, Great Britain are now confirmed as the sixth team to compete in the first European tournament for women of its kind, alongside stalwarts Finland, Germany, Sweden, Austria and hosts, Spain. Great Britain will also not only play their first game against the hugely established Germans, but that they will have the honour of opening up the Championships.

“That’s huge isn’t it?” commented Kilby, “…For our governing body [BAFA], GB Women’s Football and of course the players and coaching staff who will feature and as such we must pay thanks to IFAF and the organisers for giving us this opportunity, personally, I’ll be conscious of the figurative David and Goliath status of this fixture - but what a way to open proceedings - we’ll have absolutely nothing to lose (and everything to gain) and that’s a nice, unencumbered feeling to play with.”

 

2015 European Championships Schedule:

August 2nd: Game Day 1

Group B: Great Britain v Germany 10.30

Group A: Finland v Spain 21.00

 

August 4th: Game Day 2

Group B: Sweden v Great Britain. 10.30

Group A: Spain v Austria 21.00

 

August 6th: Game Day 3

Group A: Austria v Finland 10.30

Group B; Germany v Sweden 21.00

 

August 8th: Finals Day

Game 1: 3rd Group A v 3rd Group B 09.00

Game 2: 2nd Group A v 2nd Group B 12.00 (Bronze medal game)

Game 3: 1st Group A v 1st Group B 21.00 (Championship game)

With all games due to be live-streamed we’ll make sure we bring you news and details as to how you can support our Brits abroad, but in the meantime, good luck in your preparations Team.

Did the Reds dazzle the Blues? Did the Blues shine once more?

           

Report By Laura Moore

30^th May was the second Diamond meeting for BAFA and the Women’s programme. Leeds was the place to be and the venue at West Park Rugby Club was soaked in sunshine to welcome the ladies.

The morning saw all players put through their paces, carrying out some basics and drills to showcase their talents. Still new players continue to be drawn to the sport and some of these girls can really play. Those seats to Spain are up for grabs and the ladies are fighting hard.

With the red team and blue teams announced it was time to do battle. Great Britain Women’s Head Coach – Jim Messenger took upon the role of referee which gave him opportunity to hear what actually goes off in the huddle away from the side line and I think he was pleased at what he witnessed. The players are now really understanding what it is to play football and able to notice adjustments and issues making slight alterations to combat each other.

The game saw a fast start for the reds who continued to build a lead during the first two quarters with some slick play and an O Line looking devastating with some great blocking to release the running backs. The blues started to find their feet towards the end of the 2^nd quarter and shut down the red running game. A tough talk from blues head coach for the day – Gareth Ellison gave the blue team a renewed vigour for the second half of the game and indeed it was the blue team that began to deliver with some fantastic offensive running and the defense tough approach knocking the reds back. The reds were not to be defeated though and took to the passing game to move them down the field. The game finished with the blue team pressurising but today was not going to be their day. Reds victorious to bring the Diamond series to 1-1 setting up what most neutrals would want a decider in Hatfield on the 13^th June.

If you want to get involved look up via Facebook BAFA Women’s American Football - get yourself involved with the next event at Hatfield on June 13^th and maybe you could be going to Spain this summer.

 

The Womens Game continues to shine over the Diamond Series

Report by Laura Moore

Derby University hosted the first round of Diamond games on the 16^th May with a big turnout from ladies up and down the country. The game still continues to attract players completely new to the sport which is testament to the hard work and dedication of all those currently involved in the game.

The day was made up of developmental aspects and training followed by a full 11 v 11 game. The blue team shone brightest on this occasion taking the spoils with some hard running, a fantastic special team’s display and a defense known to hit hard. I am sure the red team will look to revenge the defeat in the next meeting of the two teams on the 30^th May in Leeds.

Speaking to Jim Messenger – Great Britain Women’s Team Head Coach about Diamond and where as a team we are heading in the build up to the Summer European Championships in Spain he had the following comments:

Photo courtesy of Luke Plastow at Plastow Photography

 

"The Diamond Series continues to be a valuable part of women's football development in Britain. It's a great opportunity to bring everyone together and give all the players and coaches an opportunity to experience women's 11-a-side football. As we continue to expand the game we will offer larger formats than the current 5 v 5 offer of the Sapphire Series. It's important for us to manage this process so that we always have plenty of competitive opportunities and not end-up with some teams racing ahead to play at 11 v 11 and leaving everyone else behind."

"The Women's European Championships possibly comes a year too early for us to be real contenders, but the learning experience will be fantastic and we are really excited to be taking part. It should be an amazing experience and really boost the profile of the women's game.

"With the launch of the GB Women's Flag Football programme this year, we now start a performance element to add to the fast growing women's flag game as well. This is another milestone for the development of football for females and we are excited about what more the future will bring."

The Diamond Series is open to all and if you want to get involved there are still two more events to attend. 30^th May in Leeds, and the 13^th June in Hatfield. For more information please look on the BAFA Womens page on Facebook.