Coach Mike Sho is pleased to be taking the reins at the Vikings
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
NORTHUMBERLAND Vikings have appointed American Mike Sholars as their new head coach.
Vastly experienced as both a player and a coach Sholars, who was born in Louisiana, arrived in Newcastle direct from winning the Silver Medal/Ice Bowl in the Czech Republic.
He said: “I always felt this country should dominate American football in Europe.
“You have a great university infrastructure in place already and I feel honoured the Vikings have welcomed me here and I look forward to accomplishing the goals we have set.”
Sholars, who has coached across Scandinavia, Europe and in Egypt with the MSU University Tigers, has previous British experience with the University of Derby in 2015-16. It is through this experience he became aware of the integral American football system already in place in the UK.
He added: “You have an extensive, three-tier university league already in place and that far exceeds any other country in Europe.
“That is primed for the UK to be the dominant force in American football and that is the real reason why I am here as it has unlimited potential.
“Initially I have a two-year agreement here but I would love a long-term relationship with this organisation and this region.
“Everyone has been so welcoming since I arrived and I feel, as an American, so at home here.”
Playing out of Druid Park, Woolsington, the newly-formed Vikings were created after a merger between the Newcastle Vikings and Northumberland Lightning.
Last season’s Vikings won five of their ten games in the NFC1 North Division, Sholars looking to increase the club’s win percentage in the forthcoming campaign.
The Northumberland Vikings’ progress over the 2018 season can be followed here in Grassroots Sport or via the team’s website www. northumberlandvikings.com.
Sponsorship packages are available with matchday and season packages on offer - all enquiries to Mick Tyler on 07971 230 360 or David Thomas on 07722 245 766.