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What The Press Said... 02/03 Archive|Wessex Scene|29Nov02

AMERICAN DREAM

The Stags have produced quality for years and the now the squad is looking to get stronger. This is of course is going to be due to the new players (you guys!) that will be coming in but also due to the links forged with local team the Southern Sundevils.

The Stags have been going for over ten years now and play in BCAFL (British Collegiate American Football League). The club practices at Wellington Sports grounds on Stoneham lane on Tuesday and Thursday night from 8-10pm. Team meetings are held on Wednesday evening with that also being the main social evening.

The club has reached the national playoff the last two seasons a sign of the enduring quality of the side. The club has sent out players who have represented the side at regional and international level. These are all players that only started playing the game when they came to university. Size is not a problem either, we have had players that in the past have ranged from 5’7 to 6’6.

The Stags have Mick Hogan as their head coach. Hogan has been in charge since 1998 and so far he has led his team to two plate competitions and twice to the playoffs. However new faces now join him. Graham Thorpe has been with the Southern Sundevils since the clubs creation in the 1980’s. He has many years coaching experience that include GB youth, youth football and senior. Coach Thorpe will be the offensive co-ordinator.

He is joined by Alastair Painter as the offensive line coach. Coach Painter has been learning the position with the Stags and Sundevils over the past year. He also worked at the half time show of the 2001 Superbowl between the Giants and Ravens, getting close to Britney Spears the lucky git !

Also assisting on offence with the receivers will be Simon Cutts. The veteran receiver has been coaching with the Sundevils but has many years playing experience to bring to the organisation.

The defense is now run by experienced American coach Jim Roberson. Jim’s experience extends right back to playing college and professionally in America to coaching some of Britains most successful teams.

The changes come about as a result of the closer relationship with the Sundevils. The teams have been practising together for a number of months now with the aim of increasing the strength of American Football in Hampshire.

The club has sponsorship and backing from a number of the local businesses. Casey Baldwin of Subway Southampton is backing the club for a second year running. Casey also donates some great prizes for raffles. Also sponsoring the outfit is RFC Southampton, a industrial recruiting company based on the high street in Southampton is also getting behind the club for the 2002-3 season. Lastly the club has had calendar done courtesy of those lovely girls at FYEO. This is for charity and looks just as much fun as it sounds.

Stags have also made the effort to get involved in the community. Again this year we will be getting involved in events such as Children in Need.

Socially we enjoy our nights out varying activities on our nights out. This year there were a number of different parties including Christmas and the most excellent Superbowl at the end of January. More is planned for this year with the aim to be bigger and better than before.

One last group of people we can’t forget and that is our lovely cheerleading squad the Vixens. The girls have been growing in number of the past couple years and did a great job getting behind us socially and in games last year.

So whatever your interest come and get involved.

Email: Stagsfootball@hotmail.com

www.stagsfootball.co.uk

Angus McKechnie

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APOLOGY

Wessex scene sports section owe the STAGS amd Vixens an apology for the atticle in the last issue of the Wessex Scene which claimed that the Vixens were in a sponsorship deal with FYEO. This is in fact untrue as they are sponsored by Subway.

However, the American Football lads are posing with the FYEO girls in a charity calendar, available just before Christmas.

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Announcement 08/09 Archive|STAGS.org.uk|16Feb09

MIAMI HURRICANES STAFF TO DELIVER COACH EDUCATION IN SOUTHAMPTON

Stewart Cramer, of the University of Miami, will return to Southampton to deliver a talk on the technical aspects of scouting and film analysis. He will be assisted by Coach Martin Hume who spent the 2008 season with the Hurricanes as a volunteer offensive assistant.

See full story for details and how to register your interest...