GB Lions Set To Roar!

The GB ladies team are very successful, so successful in fact, that they are currently ranked number two in Europe. Their lofty position in the rankings comes from a stand-out showing in the 2015 European championship tournament. Headed into the competition neither the team, nor their coach (Jim Messenger) knew quite what to expect. They hadn’t played a competitive international fixture before, and were seeded six out of six, but by the end of the showpiece, they had made their mark and had the respect across the continent that their commitment deserved.

In Britball terms, coach Messenger is truly a veteran. His playing days as a wide receiver started in the mid-eighties with the Southend Sabres, but buy the time his pass catching was cut short by injury in 1988, he had already begun a long and illustrious coaching career. He has seen particular success over the last twenty years with the University of Hertfordshire Hurricanes, capturing national championships along the way. In 2013, when BAFA board member Andy Fuller approached him with the opportunity to be involved with the development of the burgeoning ladies game in Britain, it was a challenge he couldn’t resist.

“I'm very fortunate to be in a position to coordinate all aspects of women's football” explained Messenger. “I assist new team development, schedule the domestic competitions, and head-up the national side. I can make sure the whole structure works efficiently and that there are no club-versus-country issues, so those players going-on to represent GB have adequate time to rest and prepare”. Those domestic competitions come in three formats: the Opal Series women's flag football championship, the Sapphire Series women's tackle football championship, and the Diamond Series regional representative games. All have their own space in the calendar to provide progression through the system”.

With success comes expectation, and now the ladies are a target for other teams, one of which, Spain, will be coming to the Sixways stadium in Worcester on September 17th. The Spanish side had a disappointing Euro Championships, they were expected to do better, than their fifth place finish. You could say they have a point to prove against the GB Lions. A series of camps has seen Messenger and his staff select a squad of forty-two players for the game. They will be ready for the challenge, as linebacker and team captain, Phoebe Schecter explained.

“Coming off the back of our last camp, we faced quite a few adversities; facilities, accommodation, weather. The whole team handled everything so well, showing our resilience. Spain are a fast team, who scored the most points against Finland at the European Championships, and are high in confidence following a victory against Italy. Defensively, we need to shut down their running game and stay under control. Offensively we need to make our mark early and get momentum on our side. The competition and standard of athlete in Great Britain is constantly growing, and that is reflected in 14 new faces within the team. The team had so much support at the European championships last summer. We are looking forward to our supporters being our 12th man, at our home game at SixWays Stadium.”

Finland are currently the alpha team in European terms. They won last-year's Women's European Championship, beating GB in the final, our GB women's only defeat so far. Finland has the most developed domestic women's programme of all the European nations, with a three-tier structure. Plans are currently afoot for the third IFAF Women's World Championship, to be staged in 2017. No firm details are available yet, but Messenger is confident that Team GB will get the opportunity to take this ultimate step in their rapid climb. First though, they need to maintain their form, starting with the Spain game. Quarterback Jo Kilby, is under no illusions regarding the size of the task. “The team is really excited about playing Spain, for the first time in the two nation’s histories, and at the awesome Sixways Stadium in Worcester. We’re expecting a good game, Team Spain are fast, a skilled team and full of guile, and whilst we finished last year’s European Championships as a runner’s up, in relation to their 5th placing, this is a new season and a fresh challenge awaits all of us.”

“That said Great Britain has recruited well since last September and I’m looking forward to seeing what players like Mel Henry, Rachael Moody and Lucy Kirk can do when they get their chance. Furthermore, Team GB has multiple threats, on both sides of the ball and it’ll be Spain’s greatest challenge to try and nullify them….but how do you stop the likes of Ruth Matta, Hannah Pye, Phoebe Schecter and Bo Steward, all uncompromising players in their own right, and all gunning, alongside the rest of their team-mates, for a strong win on home soil”.

The ladies game has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. They now have the chance to cement their position on the European stage, and they would love it if you could be there to support them. Forget the X Factor and Strictly Coming Dancing next Saturday, come and see some top footballing talent. Kick-Off is 6.30.