Tag: AFL London

‘Show Us What You’ve Got’ – GB Head Coach Thomas to Bulldogs Debutants

Bulldogs Prepare to Face the Netherlands for the First Time Since September 2016

Injuries Force Five Changes to Matchday Squad

20th August 2018 – Head Coach Dean Thomas has told his debutants to show established players exactly what they can offer the team as the Principal Great Britain Bulldogs begin their journey to the AFL Europe Championship next year, and the AFL International Cup in 2020.

Thomas has named 14 debutants in the squad to face the Netherlands on Saturday at Motspur Park and says that he hopes the Bulldogs will be able to close out 2018 on a positive note.

“It’s a great opportunity for the new guys to experience international footy,” said Thomas, “It’s all about players starting to put forward their case for inclusion in the squad for next year’s AFL Europe Championship in London. We’re looking forward to a tough and competitive game [against the Netherlands].

“For many players, this is the last game of the 2018 season,” said Thomas, who has coached the side for the last two years. “For many of our experienced boys, their last international was a loss [against Nauru at the 2017 International Cup], so we know they are keen to commence this new cycle on a positive note.”

Since the squad was announced back in June, Michael Sharp and Mark Ireland, both of whom played in the defeat to Nauru, have withdrawn from the squad due to injury, with Marc Cashman, Jonny Harvey and Cameron Cope also ruled out through injury.

With a combined 34 caps and 16 goals between the five of them, Thomas now has a total of 14 players poised to make their international debuts, with Luke Carrigan (West London Wildcats), Andrew McManus (West London Wildcats & Glasgow Sharks), Paddy Lawson (Manchester Mosquitoes), Keir Wotherspoon (West Lothian Eagles & London Swans) and Craig Degville (Wolverhampton Wolverines) all receiving Great Britain call-ups.

Name Club Name Club
*Joe Lloyd Wandsworth Demons *Keir Wotherspoon West Lothian Eagles/London Swans
David Jordan Wandsworth Demons George Dibble Wolverhampton Wolverines
*Hugo Phillips Wandsworth Demons Craig Degville Wolverhampton Wolverines
Matt Warwick West London Wildcats *Adam Reed Wolverhampton Wolverines
*Luke Carrigan West London Wildcats *Rhys Lincoln Wolverhampton Wolverines
*Andrew McManus West London Wildcats/Glasgow Sharks Andy Walkden Manchester Mosquitoes
Ross Denton (capt) North London Lions Andrew Cochran Manchester Mosquitoes
*Sam Killoway North London Lions *Adam Kelly Manchester Mosquitoes
Myles Hudson Wimbledon Hawks *Paddy Lawson Manchester Mosquitoes
Owain Ryland Cardiff Panthers *James Clayton Huddersfield Rams
*Calumn Arthur Newman Cardiff Panthers Anthony Roy Brannigan Tyne Tees Tigers
*Rob Goliah Nottingham Scorpions *Liam Dolling Glasgow Sharks
* denotes uncapped player

Just under two years ago, the Bulldogs faced the Netherlands in their only previous international fixture, with the Bulldogs emerging victorious after a 15.8 (98) to 3.1 (19) win on Battersea Park.

Of the ten players previously to have been capped by the Bulldogs, only Anthony Roy Brannigan and Ross Denton did not appear when the Bulldogs last faced the Netherlands in September 2016, with the Bulldogs running out comfortable 15.8 (98) to 3.1 (19) winners.

Now captain of the Great Britain Bulldogs, Denton says that his new-look Bulldogs side have a few stars in the making as they look towards the future and the AFL Europe Championship next year.

“We’re excited; we know certain players have all performed well for their clubs over the last few years, and that’s why they’ve been named to represent the Bulldogs,” said Denton, who plays for the North London Lions. “So there are a lot of unknown quantities in the squad going into the match. There are a few stars in the making, and I can’t wait to see them all in action.”
By his own admission, Denton has endured a frustrating year with several injury niggles carried through off the back of Great Britain’s equal best-ever finish at an AFL International Cup twelve months ago.

Now back to what he hopes is full fitness, his focus is fully on the Bulldogs’ defence of the AFL Europe Championship in 2019, and that starts against the Netherlands on Saturday.

“The Netherlands are somewhat of an unknown entity,” said Denton. “They’ve not played a lot of 18-a-side footy, so it’s hard to know how to prepare for them. That being said, the game is important for us; an international fixture is always one you will want to win and the lads will know that they will need to give their all out on that pitch. It also gives some of the new boys the opportunity to get up to speed with our style of footy and laying the foundations for the next couple of years.

“The squad can’t wait to get out there this weekend. There is something truly special about representing your country that is there no matter how many times you’ve done it before. I have full faith in us to bring it home come the final siren.”

Great Britain Swans Ready for AFL London All-Stars Test

First Meeting Between the Sides Since May 2017

Squad Shows “Huge Potential” – Head Coach Ian Mitchell

19th August 2018 – The Principal Great Britain Swans take on the AFL London All-Stars this Saturday at Motspur Park, in the first meeting between the sides since May 2017.

Goals from Caroline Sellar, Danni Saulter, Laura Park and Lucy Kilheeney saw the Swans run 4.7 (31) to 0.1 (1) winners. But after a “year of development,“ according to GB captain Laura Turner-Ramadan, who captained the side in that 30-point win, this time around she is expecting a more demanding game.

“The London All Stars team is a tough team,” she said. “They’ve been chosen as some of the best players in the AFL London league.”

The Swans finished third on their first-ever appearance the International Cup last year, and Turner-Ramadan believes that by facing tough teams such as the All Stars, her side can go one step further and match the high standard of football played by the likes of the USA, Canada and Ireland.

Great Britain Captain Laura Turner-Ramadan

“It’s an exciting time for the Swans because we’ve retained a number of experienced players from the 2016 AFL Europe Championship and the 2017 International Cup,” said Turner-Ramadan, “But we’ve also had a new influx of women especially from Wales and the University of Birmingham.

“We’ve recruited a number of first-year players to our training squad, and this game is a great opportunity for them. It’s all about gaining more 18-a-side game time, getting to know the style of play we want going forward, and having that important guidance from the GB coaching team.”

Meanwhile, Head Coach Ian Mitchell is hoping that a full season for his players will have a positive impact on the Swans’ first competitive outing since the AFL London Pre-Season Cup in April.

“I’m hoping to see some of the things we’ve been talking about all season come to fruition,” said Mitchell. “I’m sure it will be a stern test against some experienced players in the All-Stars team, but we have a good mix of girls.”

Great Britain Swans Head Coach Ian Mitchell pictured twelve months ago at the 2017 AFL International Cup

“Some played in the 2017 International Cup, some are returning from injury, and on top of this, we have a lot who have shown huge potential in the squad sessions. Although they’re relatively new to the game, we’re looking forward to the future and I know that a lot of them will be aiming to secure spots in our AFL Europe Championships squad next year, and beyond.”

If you want to see the Great Britain Swans in action, then the match is at 12:00 on the 25th August at the Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields.

For more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2072019282830470/

 

AFL England Recognises LGBT Pride Month

AFL England Recognises Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

AFL London to Walk in Annual London Pride Parade

June 12, 2018 – Each June, LGBT Pride Month attracts millions of participants around the world. AFL England wants to recognise and celebrate the part that LGBT people play in the footy community, both in England and around the world.

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Good Week/Bad Week – 4th June 2018

After a brief hiatus, ‘Good Week/Bad Week’ is back and ready to take a look at the latest round of fixtures across England. The leagues are really starting to hot up, so let’s see who’s in contention as we approach the halfway stage of the season. Continue reading “Good Week/Bad Week – 4th June 2018” →

Wandsworth Demons to Host ‘Big Freeze on the C’ for FightMND

‘Big Freeze on the C’ Takes Place 9th June

Event features three AFL London fixtures, and Clapham Cubs Junior Session

June 1, 2018 – On the 9th June, the Wandsworth Demons are hosting their third annual ‘Big Freeze on the C’ to raise money for Australian charity FightMND. The event will feature three matches, with the Demons taking on the London Swans in the AFL London Women’s Conference, Men’s Conference and Men’s Premiership.

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2018 Season Gets Underway This Weekend

AFL England Ready for Start of 2018 Season

London and Central & Northern England Leagues Kick Off This Weekend

April 26, 2018 – AFL England are looking forward to the start of the 2018 season ahead of the opening weekend of fixtures. Both the AFL London and Central & Northern England leagues have their first round of fixtures this weekend, ahead of an exciting ten rounds of competition. Continue reading “2018 Season Gets Underway This Weekend” →