Pirates’new termthrown intochaos

East Kilbride Pirates American Football Club have shut down all operations until further notice, amid coronavirus concerns.

The club had been in the process of warming-up for the 2020 campaign, but all levels have now been called off, joining a long line of sports to suffer the same fate this week.

A club statement read: “In line with the announcement from our National Governing Body, the British American Football Association, we regret to inform everyone across the club that all East Kilbride Pirates and Hamilton Buccaneers activity is now immediately suspended until further notice.

“Although this is very tough news to share, above all, the health and wellbeing of everyone in the Pirates family has to be our number one priority.

“This suspension will be kept under daily review as the situation with COVID-19 evolves.”

All face-to-face practices and team meetings for all the teams in the club at all practice venues have been suspended withy immediate effect.

All planned friendlies, including their planned senior scrimmage against Sandwell Steelers on Sunday, youth scrimmages against Edinburgh Napier Knights and a friendly tournament with Chorley Buccaneers are cancelled.

Their junior training camp this coming Saturday and Sunday and their senior training camp on March 27-29 at Strathallan School in Perthshire are also cancelled.

The start of the BAFA National Leagues season, due to kick-off in April, is also suspended until further notice.