East Yorkshire’s only American Football team is looking to grow and strengthen in preparation for its 2025 season.
The Humber Warhawks are hosting some open sessions as tasters for anyone wanting to give the sport a try. Heather Hammett, Humber Warhawks’ general manager, said: “We’d love to encourage people to come and give and it a go.
“We’re open to anyone aged over 18 and we’ve no upper age limit – our previous oldest player was 63 before he decided he was retiring; it is a physical sport.” Humber Warhawks are usually based at Costello Playing Fields but the upcoming open sessions, on Sundays January 12 and 19, are to be held at the University of Hull ’s 4G pitches, in Inglemire Lane, from 10am to midday.
Experienced players or those completely new to the game are welcome. All that is needed are boots, a gum shield and a drink and the club will provide a helmet and shoulder pads.
“People can just turn up or they can reach out on social media beforehand,” said Heather, who has been involved with the team for about ten years. “We’re looking to recruit more players, a couple have retired and we dropped down from the division above last year – it was a tough year and we were a bit short on numbers – and we’re planning to go straight back up again this season.
Humber Warhawks line-up
(Image: humberwarhawks/facebook)
“It seems a complex game from the outside but we have got some really good coaches who can take you through everything and it really doesn’t matter what fitness level or body type you are, American Football suits everybody. A couple of guys who joined us last year wanted to get fit and didn’t want to go to the gym. They fell in love with the sport.”
Humber Warhawks play in Northern Division 2 along with the likes of Darlington Steam, Doncaster Mustangs, Gateshead Senators and Wakefield District Raiders. “We play home and away and if we win the division, we go into the play-offs.”
The team are preparing for their first game in April. In the meantime, the NFL Superbowl is coming up in February. “We have an event planned as a team,” said Heather.
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