WANTED: Great Britain Lions National Team Looking For Players

The Great Britain Adult American Football Programme now invites all eligible athletes to apply to attend the Invitational Trials for the 2017 programme at Sheffield Hallam University in January

Following the huge success of Great Britain at the 2016 IFAF Qualifying Tournament in Worcester, which saw the GB Lions dominate both Russia and the Czech Republic, the national team programme is now inviting all eligible players to apply for the 2017 campaign trials towards the IFAF Group A Qualifying Game vs Sweden.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age and hold a full UK Passport or Dual National Passport.
  • Deadline: All applications must be complete and sent by Sunday 11th December 2016.
  • Location: Invitational Trials will take place at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park on Saturday 14th January 2017.

Player application and subsequent trial invitation process

The process – All hopeful participants MUST apply for the Great Britain Adult American Football Trials. Forms must be completed in full and measurables validated by the player’s team head coach and filmed. Game film is required from every athlete to ensure that a full evaluation can be established.

Registration forms can be accessed using this link.

From this, all applications, measurables and film will be reviewed and an invitational trial list compiled. Players who will be invited to the trials will be informed by DECEMBER 31st 2016 via email. At this point players will be informed of the structure of the trial and respective documentation will be forwarded.

Event Schedule: TBC upon invitation.

Validated Measurables: As part of the application process all players will need to supply validated measurables for the following four exercises:

  • 40-yard dash.
  • Lateral Shuttle Run
  • 100kg Bench Press max reps
  • Standing Broad Jump (inches)

Resources on the procedures of each of these tests will be available on the NFL website here.

Test results to be validated by:

  • 1. Head Coach of local club must confirm in an email to GB Head Coach Michael Callan [email protected], listing all players applying and confirming their results from each of the tests.
  • 2. Players film measurable tests to visually confirm results. These then need to be forwarded via a URL link within the application document.

Players are required to send highlight film to support their application (guidance below). Players should post a link to your highlight package or film that can be used to evaluate your performance within the section in the application form.Some guidance on what a highlight film should include:

  • 5 to 8 Splash Plays (Major Highlight regardless of position or situation)
  • 5 to 8 Plays vs Run
  • 5 to 8 Plays vs Pass
  • 5 to 8 Effort Plays

At least three full drives from three games of four plays or more so we can assess you in a full game situation.
Highlight footage links can be via:

  • Hudl
  • YouTube
  • Google Drive
  • Drop Box
  • Vimeo

If you have any questions about the pre-registration process, validated measurables or the programme, please contact Head Coach Michael Callan or Operations Manager Tom Kharchi.

Those players selected from the Invitational Trial process will be called to attend further training sessions through the calendar year. The coaching staff will continue to evaluate players and rookies throughout the life span of the active programme. If any players showcase a high level of skill and potential, coaches reserve the right to call players up to train with the squad and compete for a spot on the programme at future training sessions.

American Football International is your source for news and updates about American Football outside the United States!