Local American Football team, the Donegal/Derry Vipers, announced the return of their Youth Team last week and is seeking new players.
Youth training will begin this Saturday from 10am-12pm at the Vale Centre, Greysteel, the newfound home of the Vipers. The programme will run through to October with matches beginning in early September.
The Head Coach of the Youth Team is Niall Lyons. He stressed that American Football has a position for ‘all shapes and sizes’ and seeing a new youth player find their place on the team will never get old.
“Each year with new players watching the team gel and begin to execute together, hitting our stride and playing the blitzes. I love this time of year,” he said.
The Vipers Senior squad have been struggling with recruitment over the past few seasons which has placed such an importance on the development of the Youth side.
“Youth development is and will always be a major part of any sports club and the Vipers are no different. We know having a good youth plan in place will only help keep the club growing. We only have our youth team for four years now and we are now starting to see the fruits of our labour. Three players made the step up to the senior team this year, and with a few more due to make the jump next season” said Vipers Chairman, Mark Gillen.
The Vipers Youth Football programme originally started as a way to introduce local teens to the sport of American Football. However, with the successful establishment of the Irish National U19 team, The Irish Wolfhounds, there’s now a greater push to develop local talent and provide a pathway for young athletes to potentially represent their country on an international stage.
The Vipers Youth side has seen over 10 players kit up for the Wolfhounds across their two games last year against a High School team from Florida and an away trip to Bristol. Vipers Youth captain Dylan Coyle also had the chance to captain the Irish Wolfhounds which was the first time in Vipers History that a player had done so.
So, what’s required for Youth American Football? The Vipers only require members to bring a gumshield, football boots and a bottle of water. Helmets and Shoulder Pads will be supplied by the club. Training will run every Saturday for the foreseeable future.
If you are interested in attending the Youth Try-outs on the 29 th of June, please message either the Facebook or Instagram of the Donegal/Derry Vipers both of which can be found @donegalderryvipers
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