Phoenix in the NEFL
Phoenix ready for European test
With the senior season just around the corner, British teams are now deep into their pre-season programmes, none more so than the Tamworth Phoenix. For them it’s not just the matter of attacking a new domestic title, they are also preparing to take on some of the top Scandinavian teams in the Northern European Football League tournament.
It’s a four-team round-robin format, between Tamworth, The Copenhagen Towers (Denmark), The Carlstad Crusaders (Sweden), and the Oslo Vikings (Norway). They will know that a win on Danish soil will set them up for their two home games against Carlstad on Saturday May 12th, followed by Oslo on Saturday June 9th.
Club President James Hossack and his committee have been working tirelessly to put all the logistics in place. “The Carlstad game on May 12th will be a massive event for us. It will be our first game at our new home at the “Pack Meadow” ground in Coleshill. We want it to be a special occasion, not just for us but for the whole of Britball, it would be great if everyone got behind us and came to watch. We are putting everything in place to make it a game to remember”.
The season opener for Tamworth sees them visit Premiership new boys the Manchester Titans on April 22nd. They should provide a stern test for the Phoenix in the lead up to the trip to take on the Towers, just six days later. Hossack wanted to thank BAFA’s Russ Hewitt. “Russ has been very supportive in the league scheduling, mindful of our European games. I’d like to thank him on behalf of the team, for all his efforts”.
The Phoenix will be looking to emulate last year’s British competitors in the NEFL, The London Warriors, who edged a win against Copenhagen 29-26. The Phoenix will be fully prepared when they take to the field, as they have a busy pre-season schedule including a scrimmage against the Shropshire Revolution in March, and a residential training camp between April 13 and 15. They will be using these opportunities to evaluate their personnel and fine tune their play book.
The Phoenix roster is peppered with players who have international experience, and their leadership will be essential when the team take to the field. Hossack knows it won’t be easy. “We will need to dig deep for sure, but we know how to win, our coaches have scouted the other teams in depth, we now need to execute”. Veteran running back Adam Hope, offered the following thoughts. “The NEFL games offer the chance for the Nix to raise their game and test their skills against some well-established and very capable teams. It’s a fantastic step in the right direction for the club, and for football in the UK. Its’ also a very exciting opportunity and I’m very much looking forward to it. As a player, you want to test yourself against the best competition, so this is going to be awesome. I know these games will certainly be a challenge and the 'Nix will no doubt be the underdogs, but that suits us just fine. Hope to see some British support at Pack Meadow!
All seems set for a positive European experience for Tamworth, here’s hoping they do Britball proud and bring home the title. Get yourself down to Pack Meadow to witness it first hand on May 12th, kick off is at 6pm. It should certainly be an evening to remember!
