Dukes duo help Pirates

The East Kilbride Pirates will welcome Phoebe Schecter and Kenny Bello from The UK Dukes to Scotland this weekend to deliver fun school and community American Football skills sessions.

The UK Dukes are on a mission to promote American Football across the UK in a unique way, including crossbar challenges, trick shots and one-handed catches to make the sport fun and accessible.

As well as running sessions for schools in partnership with the Pirates and Active Schools South Lanarkshire on Friday, The UK Dukes will be delivering two free, fun American Football skills sessions for youngsters keen to give the sport a go in the indoor hall of the John Wright Sports Centre on Saturday.

Session one will be from 2.15-3.30pm for ages 9-16 and session two is for ages 16-19 between 3.45-5pm. No experience is necessary.

Pirates chair Amanda McDonald said:“We’re really excited to welcome The UK Dukes to East Kilbride.

“Their passion for American football and energy is infectious and we know these are going to be great sessions for the kids who come along.”

Dukes founder Kenny has participated in both the flag and contact disciplines of American Football to the highest level, representing Team GB as a player and most recently, as a coach on the contact Women’s GB team.

Phoebe is the first British woman – and one of only a few women to date - to hold a season long coaching internship with an NFL team. She was with the Buffalo Bills for the 2018 season and is also currently a coach for the GB U19s and plays for the women’s GB team.

If you’d like to find out more, contact info@piratesfootball.co.uk