Young people in Stoke on Trent are being given the opportunity to try the sport of American football at Northwood Stadium on Sundays with the recently formed junior (age 14 16) and youth (age 16 18) teams of the Staffordshire Surge American Football Club.
The club started the teams with the help of a grant from Stoke-on-Trent Community Chest (part of the Neighborhood Renewal Fund). With this grant and the additional support from the Royal Mail Sports Foundation the club can now provide young players with helmets, shoulder pads and uniform, as well as training equipment that allows the coaches to teach the sport with the emphasis on playing the game safely.
Playing the game
American football is a great team game. With so many different playing positions there are no size restrictions, because being small and fast can be just as important as being big and strong. It involves running, throwing, catching and tackling. The game is about teamwork and enables everyone to have fun while improving their playing skills together.
Equipment
Players have to provide their own football/rugby boots (no metal studs or blades), trainers for indoor training and also a gum shield (which we can provide). Clothing for training should include a sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Joining the team
Basically, just turn up to a training session. Its as easy as that.
A parent or guardian will need to turn up to your first training session to complete a consent and temporary membership form. This allows you to attend up to 3 training sessions. You will then need to register with the British Youth American Football League. Once fully registered you will be eligible to take part in tournaments with the team and join trials for Team England.
For more information you can telephone team manager John Farmiloe at 01782 619089 or by email at john@teamsurge.com
