AMERICAN Football — Inverclyde Goliaths Preparing For New SeaonINVERCLYDE’S senior American Football squad, the Goliaths, are back training after the winter break and preparing for the upcoming season.
The team was formed last year and underwent its associate season to try and gain entry to the British American Football Association (BAFA) National League to play in the Division Two Scottish Conference. Goliaths had four wins in a row, against Highland Stags, Glasgow Tigers and Dundee Hurricanes (twice), but the process fell short because the fifth and final game was not completed because of the weather.
Other factors led to BAFA deciding not to grant full membership to the National League, but, with the feedback from BAFA providing the Inverclyde American Football (IAF) Committee with all they need to ensure entrance into the 2019 season, 2018 is set to be an exciting year for American Football in Inverclyde.
The players are working hard every Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon preparing for first match-up, a friendly with current Division Two Scottish Conference team, Dumfries Hunters, who will be visiting Inverclyde on Sunday 25 March. The Hunters were founded in 2014 and have been playing in the National League for the last three seasons, so will arrive with plenty of experience.
Goliaths head coach Martin McClintock said: “We’re excited about this opportunity to test ourselves against a well-established team. “We are having a successful pre-season of training and recruitment and this game is a great chance for the guys to compete and prepare for the upcoming season. We expect a tough competitive game and we know that the Hunters have some dynamic threats on offense that defence will need to contend with.”
However, as Inverclyde showed last year, they bow down to no-one, defeating last year’s Division Two Scottish Conference winners and Division Two Britbowl Glasgow Tigers, 30-0 at Parklea, Port Glasgow.
The organisation’s main drive at this time is focused on recruitment. General manager Bud McFerran said: “Bringing new players and volunteers to the sport is absolutely vital to the growth and success of our club. There are many opportunities to become part of the thriving football community. We cater for all ages and levels of experience. We would love to see more local people getting involved.”
The Goliaths and the Inverclyde squads for younger players are currently looking for new players, coaches and admin and game-day volunteers.
The Goliaths are offering a number of rookie days, ideal for newcomers to the sport to go along and try it out. There will be introductions to drills, one-on-one coaching, play calling, rules and all the protective kit and equipment used. (All newcomers are also still welcome to attend any session over the course of the season.)
Inverclyde Goliaths (Adult Kitted 18-plus) currently train on Wednesdays, 7pm and Sundays 1.30pm.
Clyde Comets (Adult Flag 16-plus) currently train on Wednesdays, 6.30pm.
Inverclyde Phoenix (Youth Flag/Kitted 10 to 18) currently train on Sundays 11.30am.
All teams train at Greenock Wanderers RFC ground at Fort Matilda in Greenock.
The club is also setting up an Under-12 Flag and Toddler Group, Inverclyde Mighty Ducklings. Inverclyde American Football can be contacted on info@iafcc.com or via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
