GB Lions: The next Step

From BAFA.org

Following the recent successful junior and senior GB open trials, players who are through to the next stage have now been contacted.

Over 500 players from across the UK attended open trials for both age groups in Doncaster, Bristol and Hertfordshire – a huge pool of talent for the GB coaching team to select from.

The next step in the journey for the new national programme will be invitational one day camps, held at Loughborough on March 17, May 19 and August 18. The events will host both junior and senior players.

As well as the open trials, players have been selected for invites on the basis of film, discussions with coaches and performance in the last year’s games.

GB Lions report: Senior and Junior trials

The open trial period for the GB Lions team culminated in two trials held in different locations over the Superbowl weekend. The senior team trialists were put through their paces by Coach Mike Callan and his staff at the Filton Academy in Bristol, home of the Bristol Aztecs, Apache and BUAFL's UWE Bullets. The juniors meanwhile traveled to Doncaster and the Balby Carr Sports Facility, the home of the Doncaster Mustangs to take part in the trials with Coach Damien Anderson and his staff.

GB Lions Jnr Trial Report

On a freezing cold day in Hertfordshire, 70+  players vying for a spot on the GB Lions Junior roster gathered at the de Havilland campus, home of the BUAFL Hertfordshire Hurricanes, to take part in the latest trials.

Under the watchful gaze of head coach Damien Anderson and his staff, players from around the country were put through their paces with representatives from the Cambridge Cats, London Warriors, London Blitz, Farnham Knights, London Renegades, Bristol Aztecs, Hertfordshire Hurricanes and more making an appearance.

Exclusive Interview with Birmingham Lions HC Wayne Hill

In our latest interview we speak with Birmingham Lions head Coach, GB Lions defensive coordinator and IFAF World team Linebacker Coach (I think I got all the titles in) Wayne Hill. We cover everything from the new coaching staff at the Lions to his notorious decision to go for two at the end of the BUAFL Championship game (a decision that ultimately cost them the game). Read on!

DC: First off congratulations on a fantastic year coaching wise. You were named head coach of the Birmingham Lions, OC of the Birmingham Bulls, LB coach for the IFAF world development team and now DC of GB lions. Which one personally means the most to you?

WH – Obviously all are very special and I am very lucky to have been selected to the National Programme and IFAF World Development Team. I have to say being back in charge at the Lions is a little extra special to me. This enables me to work with some amazing coaches and players on a daily basis, that really push me to develop myself and my coaching. However, all of the positions have something special to me; the Bulls role was great as that was where I grew up and developed a love for this sport. So it was great to contribute to a really successful season and be part of a great development programme being put in place by Steve Hannington and Brendan Cunnane.

The National Programme role is going to be a challenge and I love a challenge! I am excited to be part of the new set up and even in the early stages I am enjoying working with Coach Callan and putting together a great defensive staff.

Now the IFAF World Development Team role is awesome and I am looking forward to working with some of the best coaches and players in the world. This has been a great learning curve for me and now the selection process is complete I am looking forward to meeting the players face to face and getting on with the on field coaching.

GB Doncaster Trial report

The first trials of a new era for the GB Lions began in Doncaster over weekend with over 130 players turning up to try and impress the new coaching staff.

Players representing many different teams turned up to the trials with teams such as Premier league new boys EKP Pirates and Leicester Falcons having several players in attendance. BUAFL programs such as the Derby Braves and Birmingham Lions were also amoung the myriad of uniforms and helmets on display throughout the day.

The trials were well attended

GB Lions Filton Trials

Some details of the forthcoming GB Lions trials at Filton Academy:

If you’re planning on attending the forthcoming GB Lions Adult Try Out event at Filton College Bristol (http://www.filton.ac.uk/) on Saturday 4 February, here’s some useful additional information.

Timings
Registration 11.30am, then on the field 12.30pm – 6.30pm. Please turn up early even if you've pre-registered

Cost
£20 on the day

Plan for the day
As with the last try out, the first session will be physical measurables and then the second session positional/contact drills so bring your full football kit

Registration
To register for any of these events please complete a registration form, and email it to nick_wasmuth@hotmail.com. Pre-registration is highly recommended to avoid being late on the day.  The registration form for the try-outs can be found on the downloads section of the BAFA site, here: http://www.bafa.org.uk/downloads.aspx

Please bring...
- Full football kit
- Footwear for suitable 3G Astroturf - so no metal bladed footware
- Offensive players should bring a white jersey, defensive players should bring a dark blue jersey and QB trialists should bring red jerseys.

GB Lions: Doncaster Trial details released

Sat 14 January at Balby Carr College, Doncaster.

Timings
On the field 11am-5pm, 10am registration. Please turn up early even if you've pre-registered 

Cost
£20 on the day

Plan for the day
First session will be physical measurables, second session positional/contact drills so bring your full football kit

Registration
To register for any of these events email your full name/DOB/BAFANL number/club/position/contact number/emergency contact number (if under 18) to nick_wasmuth@hotmail.com. Pre-registration is highly recommended to avoid being late on the day. 

Please bring...
- Full football kit
- Footwear for suitable 3G Astroturf - so no metal bladed footware
- Offensive players should bring a white jersey, defensive players should bring a dark blue jersey and QB trialists should bring red jerseys.