Team GB for Grid-Iron Star
QE student and American Football prospect, Paul Richardson, has won a place in the GB Youth team for the first qualifying away fixture against the Netherlands in the European Junior Championships.
Paul gives his thoughts on the call-up:
“The initial trials held at Gateshead went really well. We played a scrimmage between Gateshead Senators and GB trialists, which we won. My name was taken down for my contribution to the win -2 sacks and a ‘pick-6’ - then I had to wait until the Bristol try outs were over before I knew if I was on the programme. More than 200 people were at the try-outs and the coaches selected 75 players to be involved in the programme for 2010. I was delighted to be named in that 75. This led me to travel to Colchester in May for the GB Lions Youth Training Camp and final selection for the Lions first game in the European League. I was trying-out at both Line Backer and Full Back. After a long journey down and then a long day of football, the coaches made their choice of the 45 players they would take to Holland for our first must win game. Coach Rains, Head Coach of GB Lions Youth, gave me the good news that I had been selected for Full Back and back-up Line Backer as well as gaining a place on special teams. I was thrilled!”
Paul Carroll, Sports Co-ordinator at QE comments:
“We are delighted that Paul is representing Team GB in American Football. This isn’t a sport we play at College but we back our students to pursue their dreams and get involved in sport wherever possible. Paul has done extremely well to get through what was a difficult trial process and to win a place in the final squad.”
Concluding, Paul says:
“I currently play my youth football for the Gateshead Senators but am really looking forward to getting involved in the Leeds Met Carnegie programme when I go to university in the autumn. The set up at Leeds looks very professional and should bring the best out in me.”
June 3, 2010