American football team eager to attract new blood

IN THE sunny south-east, there’s only one American football team, and they’re looking to expand.

The Wexford Eagles, who achieved promotion after their first season in the Irish American Football League, are eager to attract some new players.

‘The Eagles have been phenomenally successful in their first two seasons,’ said head coach Kevin Klatt.

‘Now, we want to take the team to the next level, which is promotion to the very top flight of American football in Ireland, the Shamrock Bowl Conference (S.B.C.).

‘To do that, we’re looking to add to our squad, and we know there’s a lot of talent in the Wexford area. We’re hoping some of that talent might like to hook up with the Eagles.’

This is full-contact American football. All players are kitted out exactly as you’d see with college and NFL players on TV.

Ireland currently has 23 Senior teams (you must be over 18 to take part), and that number is expanding every year.

Klatt said the Eagles train twice a week in Gorey - Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon.

The season starts in March, but the Eagles are scheduled to play two pre-season friendlies in February.

The regular season runs from March to July, followed by the play-offs, with the final held in August.

Klatt says there’s a place in the game for just about everyone. ‘You don’t have to be big; you don’t have to be fast; you don’t even have to be able to throw or catch a ball.

‘If you really want to play and you turn up for training, our coaches will find a spot on the field for you.

‘We already have an amazing squad of players, and frankly, we’d be considered one of the teams likely to be promoted to the S.B.C. at the end of the coming season,’ Klatt said, ‘but we take nothing for granted.

‘We want to add depth to our squad, and we would really like to gain new players from all over county Wexford, as well as south Wicklow.’