The 2019 Youth League kicks off in just over a weeks’ time, with a record 7 teams competing. We caught up with last years champions Cork Admirals to find out a bit more about their youth football programme and their preparations for the 2019 season.
How are preparations for the youth season coming along?
“Preparations are going well; the lads are learning fast and picking up the playbook.”
What do you hope to achieve this season?
“What we’d like to achieve is to get all of our youth players to experience the game of football and to increase their knowledge of the game.”
How important is youth football to your club’s overall football programme?
“The youth programme is hugely important to our overall football programme as we have had youth players progress from the youth team to the senior team and contribute straight away for the last three years. We see it as an integral part of our recruitment every year.”
What key points do you emphasise to your players?
“The key points we emphasise to our players are to play safely, support their teammates and enjoy the game.”
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of starting to play American football?
“I would tell anyone thinking of trying the sport to give it a go & to keep at it, it can take a few training sessions to find your feet & to try as many different positions at possible when starting out. It’s a great team sport.”
Join The Cork Admirals
The Admirals youth team train on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 1pm at the PBC Sports Grounds in Glasheen. The club will provide helmets & pads for youth players. Contact club president Stuart Donaldson (086 775 2302), head coach Alan Lomasney (086 220 2093) or assistant head coach Conor Linehan (087 661 9774) for more information.