Future players given a trial shot

ClydeValley Blackhawks hope that newmembershavebeenenticedto take up American Football after the first stage of their open day event.

Blackhawks held the event last Sunday and will hold a similar trial this weekend at Hamilton Palace.

No experience is required to go and join ahead of full training commencing after the NewYear. ClydeValley featured in the BAFANL (British American Football Association) Saltire Division last season.

It is the oldest continuous league in Britain. Blackhawks are aiming for a surge in numbers to unearth new talent as they look to prepare for the upcoming 2022 season.

A spokesperson for the club said: “The purpose of the weekend is to give those who don’t really have any knowledge of American football - or people who quite fancy it - a taster session of what the club and the game itself involves.

“Over the course of the weekend they will come down so wecan see them and try them out.The first weekendwasmorewhattheNFL Combine is like in America.

“They are put through a number of drills, tests and exercises, things like that.That’s to give people an idea of what to expect and I believe there mighthavebeenatouchgameatthe end.

“The second session will be run more like an actual training session.We’ll focus on the skills they will need to play American Football and what happens on a training session we may run during the season.

“It’s really to try and attract new players.We know - because we’ve experienced it in the past - that players are a bit apprehensive about turning up halfway through the season to join in a training session.

“It’s about putting it out there so hopefully people that are interested want to come along and give things a try.The last few years we’ve had a good turnout of players.

“Some people come to these events as they find out it’s not for them or it’s not quite what they thought it was going to be. But certainly, the trial events in the last few years have been successful.”