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.