2023 Wrapped!

Breaking Boundaries

To prep, we had our first 3 team training session which just so happened to be the first training session for our Shehawks, for their first ever game. I’ll admit, it was an emotional time for me – so many players, coaches and staff there wanting to step up and represent the Principality and it didn’t take long for any domestic barriers to be broken down.

“So, who are you and where do you play…?”

By that evening, folk that have never met each other before were in Popworld having a boogie together.

Triumphs and Heartbreaks

Just before February 18th, planes took off from the UK, Ireland and the USA, destined for France, Iceland and Northern Ireland. Ian Fryer’s Shehawks struggled against Bordeaux in their first ever game, but put a great showing on, falling 48-22. Director of Coaching Drew Anderson’s Nationals struggled with a heavily depleted side against the Reykjavik Einherjar going down to a heartbreaking loss of 28-16 but the Masters, with Nick Benning at the helm, triumphed after a successful training camp with the Causeway Giants, 44-0.

We knew we had some work to do to bolster the numbers across the teams, so in June, the Seahawks had their first tryout day in Bristol. We whittled down the numbers from the hundreds of enquiries we had through the recently overhauled website and put the select few through their paces before delivering the good news to them later that week, they’d be joining us for our next games.

A Pineapple Movement

In the summer, we launched our ‘Pineapple’ movement: if anyone within the club sent the word ‘pineapple’ or a picture/emoji of one to anyone else, it would be recognised as a mental health SOS. Despite it being such a massive thing in the news and across social media, people are still apprehensive about asking for help or even knowing where to start the conversation, even if their friends are more than willing to help them. So if you happen to receive a pineapple in your DMs, make sure you never leave that person on ‘read’ because they’ve found enough inner strength to ask for help, so get out there and give it. Even if it’s just listening and recognising their struggle, more often than not, it’s enough.

Flag Team Triumph

On the 5th of August, our flag team, led by Chris Green went to the Welsh Bowl in Cardiff, even with a smaller squad than they’d have liked, the updates were coming in through Messenger, “We’ve won and we’re in the quarters…. We’re in the semis…. We’re in the FINALS!” Only falling 19-13 in the final! A frankly massive result for the flag team.

Overcoming Controversy

In September, it was time for the Masters and Shehawks to head to Guadalajara to face the Stings. The Shehawks stepped up first, after a tough start, the Shehawks fought back hard, shocking the Stings, who had thought the match was over early on. The game ended in controversy however with the frustrated Stings forfeiting the game in the 4th quarter to award the first victory to Sealand. The Masters came on afterwards and simply got the job done, chalking up another win for the veterans, 34-6. This game had its own little moment of controversy as the scorer of the Stings’ only touchdown was none other than Seahawks Nationals player Steve Cox, who had come out to help the Stings.

A Season of Giving

In our ‘Charity Season’, on the 16th and 17th of September, we had our annual beach flag football tournament on Watergate Bay in Cornwall, raising £500 for the RNLI with the Cardiff Bay Coyotes taking the win and £500 charity prize money donated by the Wax group. On the 21st of October we had our 3rd (and final) Schmyder cup at Old Grammarians Memorial Sports Club, with team Europe taking the win, raising £1,000 for MAGPAS air ambulance, who saved the life of Seahawks Master Josh Jennings, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game earlier in the year with his home team.

Ending on a High

November was the Nationals’ time to prove their mettle after February as they squared off against the Mallorca Voltors, an impressive 30 of the 45 players in attendance were fresh recruits from the June tryouts. Even after only one training session together as a team and the Voltors QB putting on an amazing show, the Nationals pulled it all together to achieve a 21-13 win, with Prince Michael and Princess Mei of Sealand themselves in attendance to cheer the lads on from the sidelines. Steve Cox getting a touchdown again, thankfully this time in Seahawks colours…

As I said at the top, I’ve had to go back over some of the social media posts and my own calendar to remember 2023 as it’s been such a big one. As I did, I had a look at some of the photos taken along the way, like a soppy old soul looking over a photo album. This unfortunately meant what should’ve been a simple round up, took much longer as I smiled along at how lucky I’ve been to be a part of something so big and so filled with love and support from absolutely everyone. I don’t know everyone else’s experience of the Seahawks organisation, I can’t imagine there are many that are as insanely invested in the club as myself, but I hope you’ve had as much fun as I have.

2024, you’ve got a lot to live up to…

Loveyoubye,

Mike
Sealand Seahawks President