Trio get the call up to GB American football squad
LOUGHBOROUGH American football stars Luke Ashman, Noah Beddow and Luke Sweeney, will be a part of the Great Britain Juniors American football team for 2020, after impressing in national trials and on the gridiron for their club, the Tamworth Phoenix.
Ashman (18), a defensive line, Beddow (16), a wide receiver, and Sweeney (16) also a wide receiver, have all been picked for a 91-player strong Performance Squad, and will be up for selection for a 45-man playing squad for a potential friendly fixture before European Championship qualifying matches later in the year.
The trio, and eight others from the Phoenix, make up a total of 11 selected from the Phoenix across separate Performance and Development squads that make up the Great Britain team for the year.
Beddow said: “It’s great to be selected, I really enjoyed it all. Not many know about Great Britain American football because it’s quite weird when you tell people.”
Ashman’s and Beddow’s American football journey with the Phoenix began with the Under-17 age group team, from which they progressed to the Under-19 team as part of a “Phoenix PHutures” American football programme for youngsters that now also includes a non-contact ‘Flag football’ team for girls and boys aged from 8 to 13.
Tamworth Phoenix Under-17 and Under-19 head coach Karl Burgess said: “All of our players selected have shown tremendous attitude and dedication since joining us at the Phoenix.
“They’re great examples of what we are trying to achieve with our young players, focusing on individual development with the long-term in mind. By being dedicated to the sport and the team, a result of that has been selection to the Great Britain programme.”