Welcome back. Our players have been put through their paces these last few weeks. It is always a debatable topic on how or when teams should return to football. Some teams prefer to wait until February. Some teams don’t actually stop. However, our way seems to be working very for us. Fitness is a crucial part of most sports. American Football is definitely a sport that relies on strength, stamina, and a high level of cardiovascular fitness. But it’s not just the fitness that matters at this point. We are welcoming in new players from Uni teams, other BAFA teams, and even people brand new to the sport. Therefore, it’s vitally important that they can embed in the team. What better way to gain respect from your fellow teammate than sweating through a gruelling set of circuit training?
In case you missed it, we caught up with newly promoted Coach Andy Whiteoak, as he takes on the additional role of Assistant Head Coach. He will do this alongside his usual duties of Defensive Coordinator. Check that out here!
You can sponsor us in a few ways. Sponsorship is such a good idea for so many reasons. The main idea is that we get to support men and women who want to be active and enjoy the thrill of working to succeed as a valued part of the team. You get to have greater exposure for your brand at a far better rate than other methods of advertising. Our social media regularly reaches over 3000 people per post. Full details can be found here.
“The Best Decision I ever made”, meet our Running Backs Coach, Ainsley Richards.
I have been around the sport from a very young age. My dad played DB for Milton Keynes Pioneers and Bedford Bombardiers in the 80’s and 90’s. It has always been a part of my life. My earliest memory of football is watching the 2000 NFL draft and seeing the Jets pick Chad Pennington.
My dad and I bonded for years by throwing a football and running routes. At 15, I decided to actually start playing myself. Some of my dad’s former team mates were coaching the Cats Adult team at the time, so it made sense for me to join the Cats Youth team. I was hooked from my first training session. I started out as a receiver, but I also put some time in as a DB too. We had a great success with two undefeated seasons and making it to the quarter finals.
I left the Cats Youth at 19 and joined the brand new Bury Saints. I had bulked up at bit, so tried my hand at TE and RB. We went undefeated and won the SFC 2 championship. I took a year out, but the Saints gained promotion again. I lost some weight and went back to playing, this time in the Premiership, at WR and RB.
I left the Saints and gained my Level 1 coaching qualification during a year out of football. I had just moved to Northamptonshire and so my dad and I joined the Northants Knights, to help them through their associate status. We helped on both sides of the ball and after 2 years, they achieved league status.
Covid happened and I took time away from football again, though not by choice. I saw an advert that the Cats Adult team was looking for coaches. I thought that it would be an honour to go back to where it all started for me. To be honest, it’s been the best decision I have ever made.
Thanks Coach and good luck!
Birthday Announcements:
#40 Dan Smith, Line Backer, 4 Years that the Cats
#75 Jonathan Williams, Offensive Line, 4 Years at the Cats, also played for the Cambridge University Pythons.
Happy birthday guys!!
Coming Next Week:
Fixtures promised tomorrow by BAFA
Our first kitted practice of the year
And much more