Sharks Start New Training Season
on a High!

Despite the doom and gloom and freezing temperatures, the Cornish Sharks have lots to celebrate.  Their training started again on 18th January and they are enjoying ever growing numbers of players swelling their ranks, enthusiasm boosted by a second successful season when the Sharks made it to the quarter finals, losing only to the eventual divisional champions, for the second year running.  After a hard afternoon’s training on Sunday 1 February, the players headed into Newquay to Sailors Club, one of the Shark’s main sponsors, to enjoy a “Superbowl Party”.  Then to top it all the players were delighted to hear that one of their own, Sharks Player Gavin Boak, has been selected to play for GB Lions, the Great Britain American Football Squad.

This news was particularly thrilling as no less than eight Cornish Sharks players had been asked to attend the trials for the GB squad – the only Division Two team to have players asked to attend the trials.  In addition to Gavinwho came to American football from rugby league and plays rugby union for Ivrybridge, David Krierhn (who was asked to go through to the second stage of selection process) came from a soccer background and well as rugby and Matt Cross “Saggers” who is known locally as he plays for the Newquay Hornets, were put through their paces at the trials in Loughborough.  Sadly the other players invited - Kiell Purell, Andy Dixon, Ross Hamer, Adam Kevern and Matt Henderson were all unavailable to attend due to injury but will have further opportunities to try out for the GB squad later in the year.

Head Coach Brian Smallworth, who attended the GB trials to see his players “strut their stuff”, said proudly “The Cornish Sharks is a very close-knit organization and all the players were hugely supportive of those players selected to attend the trials and it has given them huge encouragement and something to work towards – the self-belief that they too could play the game they love for their country.  The competition between the players is healthy and good for team morale.   When the news came through about Gavin’s achievement and I spread it around to all the players, my telephone never stopped ringing.  They are all as proud as I am and it has given us a huge boost for the start of the season.

“Our training has been tough since we started back on 18 January, especially with the weather conditions, but spirits are riding high and we are seeing new players every week – both rookies and experienced players – who want to be part of a successful organization with a reputation for working hard and playing hard.  We are especially seeing a large number of rugby players who are realizing that playing American Football throughout the summer keeps them fit ready for their rugby season in the winter.  I would like to take this opportunity to invite anyone that thinks they might be interested in playing to join us at Newquay Sports Centre on a Sunday between 1pm and 5pm.  We have an “open door” policy – just come along and see what you think.  Check out our website www.cornishsharks.co.uk if you want to know more.”

Ends

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

	Matt Cross "Saggers", Coach Brian Smallworth, Gavin Boak and David Krierhn at the GB Lions Trials Jan 2009
	Gavin Boak selected for GB Lions
	Matt Cross "Saggers"
	David Krierhn
	Superbowl Party 2009 at Sailors, Newquay