By Twm Owen
Wales’ only women’s American football team are hosting an open day for potential players who’d like to learn more about the sport.
The Cardiff Valkyries competed in their first season of tackle football this winter but are now preparing for the flag – or non-contact – form of the game they’ll play over the summer.
Head coach Simon Browning said women, aged 18 and over, who want to play a fast-paced, exciting sport are as welcome to join the team as those anxious to don shoulder pads and helmets and compete in the full contact tournaments that start next February.
He said: “Players joining for flag do not have to commit to tackle. We have several players that have just played the flag variant and not then gone on to do the tackle form.
“There is absolutely no pressure to make that move – but it is not a decision a player has to make now. We are currently focussing on flag training, but the tackle element will start as we head into September. This will mean that players will get a chance to try out tackle football within practice sessions to make the decision of whether they wish to pursue it or not.”
This Saturday (April 29) the club is hosting a flag football taster in Cardiff which will give would-be players the chance to throw and catch footballs, try various positions and of course pull the flags players wear around their waste and opponents must tear-off to make a ‘tackle’.
But Browning said players who don’t wish to play the full contact version of the sport are more than welcome to compete for the Valkyries in the official women’s flag tournament the Opal Series, that starts in October, and follows a round robin format over four Saturdays.
During the summer the Valkyries will also compete in the Summer Series flag tournament over four Saturdays through June and July in Northampton as well as holding friendlies against local men’s teams.
“This will be a great opportunity for new players to get real game experience against some of the top women’s flag teams in the country,” said Browning.
“We will also be looking to repeat last year’s friendlies against local teams such as the Cardiff Hurricanes – one of the top male flag teams in the UK – and the Cardiff University Cobras. We are also in discussions about again participating in the Marcus Price Memorial Flag tournament, which last year saw male teams from all over the UK attend here in Cardiff.
“Playing against male teams is something that the Valkyries have always done – looking to constantly push themselves – and the flag environment allows a perfect safe environment for this to happen. The flag community as a whole is also a really supportive one, with games played in an excellent spirit.”
The Valkyries were formed last year and played in this winter’s Sapphire Tackle Series that consisted of four rounds with two games in each round playing a shortened 7 v 7 version of the fully kitted game.
Competing against teams from Sandwell, Chester, Teeside and fellow newcomers Staffordshire the Valkyries achieved one win and seven losses in their debut season.
Browning said the team, who were able to prepare alongside local men’s team the South Wales Warriors, made good progress throughout the winter.
“The team improved massively through the whole tournament and it was great to have comments from both opposition players and coaches alike about how much the team had progressed in such a short space of time.
“Many were shocked that we had only started up training just a few short weeks before. Plus, we kept up our record of scoring in every single competitive match we have played across all national tournaments.
“All of this would not have been achieved without the help of the South Wales Warriors, who allowed us to train alongside them in the build up to Sapphire – and we are really appreciative of the help they provided to us.”
Saturday’s (April 29) taster day takes place from 1pm to 3pm at Hailey Park, Llandaff North, Cardiff. The post code is CF14 2FU and those attending can follow directions to Llandaff North Rugby club, 42 Radyr Road. Parking is available.