gridiron UK

Lots of laughter at the Ipswich Cardinals' first practice after lockdown two and interestingly to us at least the first hour was spent on special teams ... no blocking below the waist on kicking plays.  New players (especially linemen) and rookies always welcome.

At the bottom of the page proposed age groups for under 17 flag american football.

Sarah Fuller eh?  How long before we get a woman in the UK premiership?  Soccer that is.

Oh joy, the return of outdoor sport at this lockdown end.  We do miss the socialising as well as the sport of East Anglian american football.  While we wait here's an unnumbered reason to be cheerful ♫ Hurl that spheroid down the field ♫

Saturday In Lowestoft speedy Waveney Wolves were running through multiple Iceni Spears tackles but with time the Spears started making their tackles.  A Spears trick play along the lines of It's the wrong ball worked beautifully.  We think maybe just three or four flags in all three games which were played with an outstanding spirit though heavy rain inevitably dampened the final match.

At the Ipswich Cardinals new venue in Rushmere despite steady rain with enough wind to make it uncomfortably cold an impressive near fifty players old and new turned out and just one spectator.  Some younger newbs unwisely thought shorts .. more here

Yesterday's UEA Pirates socially distanced rookies had some 15 newbs in the drizzle and a hatful of them could complete a pass.  Chatting with the ... more here

Driving this morning to Norwich for the Iceni Spears noticeable was classic and sports cars coming the other way surely for Classics at Glemham.  Very encouraging that there are now enough Spears for players left over on the sideline during scrimmaging.  Hand sanatising during breaks and general good vibes but sadly coach Jamie Fowle is not anticipating any competitions this year.

Seems unlikely but UEA in Norwich are offering american football scholarships, you need to apply before the end of the month.

Saddening but not surprisingly the Red Rooster Festival near Thetford has been postponed until next year.  Robert Stan Stamper (seen here on the Ipswich Cardinals chain crew entertaining the visiting Bury Saints sideline) at last year's Maverick Festival before dashing off to dance with his daughter told us the 2018 Roosterfest had been brilliant. ♫

What could be sisters at the Ipswich Cardinals last year added to Suffolk Ladies.

The Iceni Spears contact team are now Norwich Devils Women's American Football ... we would have gone with the Norwich Devillettes but then what do we know?

If you're a Colts supporter or interested in how a NFL team is managed then Sucking for Luck will intrigue you.

Crikey!  A non-helmet wearing backflip on roller skates in a skate park and the suspension of British american football extended to the beginning of July.

In Suffolk there were 331 coronavirus-related deaths up to the 1 May.  Yesterday 1,350 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Suffolk.  The  forty eighth reason to be cheerful is surely an anthem for all contact sports.

You win some you lose some.  The Martlesham Wickes with new safety measures has re-opened but BAFA have CANCELLED this summer's British contact american football season though there could be friendlies later on.

Last week Mark Kermode on coming of age films included French film Girlhood.