Sharks Proud of GB Players & Coaches

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Following the selection of Shark's player Gavin Boak for the GB Senior Squad, the Cornish Sharks are delighted to announce the selection of another player for the GB Youth Squad, Lee Ambridge who plays Wide Receiver.  Two of our coaches have also been appointed as coaches to the Youth Team and another coach has been appointed to administrate the football operations for the senior squad.

The Cornish Sharks are delighted that two of its players and three of its coaches are part of the Great Britain American Football Squads.  Head Coach Brian Smallworth has been appointed as Running Backs Coach and Nigel Hoyte has been appointed as Defensive Ends Coach for the GB Youth Squad.  Coach Paul Fullman is offering his managerial experience to the GB senior squad as head of football operations.  Coach Hoyte's 16 year old son Elliot Hoyte, who prior to moving to Bristol to play youth football for the Bristol Aztecs youth trained with the Sharks and assists us on game days, has also been selected to play for the GB Youth Squad.

Sharks Head Coach Brian Smallworth explains why the team is so pleased.  "Although we are lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country, our remote location does bring its own challenges and so to have two of our players and three of our coaches involved in the National Teams is a real achievement.  It demonstrates what a wealth of talent we have in the South West and how important it is that we nuture our young athletes and give them every opportunity to demonstrate their ability.  I have been involved in the national senior squad before, in the early nineties when we won the European Cup in Finland and I am delighted to once again be involved in the national programme, but especially with the youngsters who are the future of the game.  I am heavily involved in building our youth academy in the South West and to be part of the national squad is a real honour. I am pleased that Nigel Hoyte is part of the squad too as his experience is invaluable.  He played in the United States at Akron University before he played professional football for the London Monarchs in the World League and went on to win the European Championship with them.  Nigel has a great work ethic and vast knowledge of offensive and defensive line techniques, such experience that only comes with years of being in the trenches and being coached by some of the best professional coaches in the game.  He obviously has a keen interest in the youth football with his son "living and breathing the game" and full of enthusiasm.

"Lee Ambridge who plays rugby for the Newquay Hornets came along to the trials as a junior two years ago and has trained with senior team for a year playing his first senior game at the end of last season against Milton Keynes.  It was clear from the beginning that this young man has all the tools to go to the top and it has been great to watch him slowly develop his skills this season.  Some of the catches that Lee has made this year have been top class and his ability to "get open" has improved vastly along with his blocking which has also improved his place on the national squad is well deserved.  At the Bristol trials he was ranked number 2 in the country - a great achievement for his first national trial.

"Paul Fullman who coaches our wide receivers at the Sharks and plays tight end, has a senior managerial role in his full-time job and has taken these skills and his love of football to assist the senior team in their football operations - a much needed benefit to the squad.

"Gavin Boak, whose selection to the senior squad was announced earlier this year has been to the GB training camps and is looking forward to progressing with them and developing his skills as a top international defensive tackle.

"I am proud of them all as well as the team players who went and trialled with the senior and junior squads and although they may have not made selection this time, I know they have gone away inspired to develop their skills and have another go at a later date."

Ends

For further information or electronic/hard copies of photographs, please contact Sharon Smallworth, Marketing & Fundraising on 07789484817 or email mrscoach@innisrhia.eclipse.co.uk or Brian Smallworth, Head Coach on 07786370980 or email bjscoach@yahoo.com.