In Today’s Programme

Page

3 Meet The Visitors: Bury Saints

4 Match Report: London Blitz A vs. Bristol Aztecs

5 Meet The Players: José Van Oosten, DB #32

6 Meet the Partners: DraftKings

7 Meet the Partners: Fit Fab Therapy

8 London Blitz A: Premiership South Schedule and Standings

9 London Blitz A: Roster

10 Bury Saints: Roster Meet The Visitors: Bury Saints

The Bury Saints first started training together in 2013, and since then the club has moved on incredibly quickly. In October of 2013 the club was awarded a Sport England Grant enabling them to buy the training equipment and kit needed to take them to the next level, and their ongoing relationship with Thurston Rugby Club ensured that the club had solid foundations for a long and successful future.

2014 opened with the news that the Saints had been accepted into the British League. The roster continued to expand and preparations for the Club’s first ever competitive season started in earnest. Spring blossomed with a successful Controlled Scrimmage against fellow new team, the Portsmouth Dreadnaughts, followed by a victory over the London Blitz Development Team, and a loss away at Swindon Storm.

Jump to 2015, and the Saints went into the season with something to prove after a promising but inconsistent rookie year that finished 5-5. However, after starting off with a close victory over the Essex Spartans, they began to dominate the division, frequently running up 40 plus points and finishing the regular season 10-0. The Saints also stormed through the playoffs, beating the Bristol Apache 47-12 in the final of the Rose Bowl and earning a promotion to Division 1.

The Saints then continued to dominate in Division 1, where they finished 9-0-1, with only the Sussex Thunder capable of holding them to a draw. They also romped through the playoffs, beating the #1 seeded Wolves 13-21 in the final, earning a promotion to the Premiership South from Division 2 in just two seasons. Match Report: London Blitz A vs. Bristol Aztecs

London Blitz A continued their #perfect season after a fourth quarter Oliver Bishop sack, safety and Kyle Jervier kick return sealed a tight game.

The Blitz v Aztecs game started brightly for the Blitz defence who picked up a fumble and gave the ball to their offense on their 29 yard line. The offense, led by Joe Thompson, couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity and turned the ball over on downs after going for it and missing on 4th down. On the Blitz’s next drive, things took a turn for the worst as a fumble gave the ball to the Aztecs’ offense in the redzone. Two pass interference calls on the defence had the ball inside the 5 for the visitors and they took full advantage, scoring the first TD of the game with a run by #34. Aztecs missed their PAT and led 0-6.

With the Blitz down, Remmy Ezeabasili returned the kick-off to the 31 yard line. The offense moved the ball well and on 2nd down at their own 44 yard line, with Remmy Ezeabasili in at RB, they broke off a 56 yard TD run to put 6 on the board for the Blitz. With the PAT converted, they led 7-6. The game remained 7-6 for the majority of the 2nd quarter and with the clock winding down, Mike Aboujaoude converted on 4th down with a pass from QB Joe Thompson. Then with only seconds on the clock, a pass interference foul called on the visitors’ #4 on Sam Rodgers gave the Blitz a chance to hit a field goal. Jasper Van-Dooren converted the field goal and the Blitz went into the half 10-6 up.

The 3rd quarter went scoreless as both defences dominated with the offenses concentrating on their run game. Into the 4th quarter and the Blitz put Temi Oduyemi in at RB. Oduyemi carried the ball a few times before breaking a 25 yard gain to put the ball in the redzone. After a holding call pushed the offense out of the redzone, the Blitz had a 3rd and 17 on the 27 yard line. The Blitz couldn’t pick up the 1st down but set up a 30 yard field goal which Jack Daley converted giving the home side a 13-6 lead. After both offenses punted on their next drives, the Aztecs’ offense started from their 15 yard line. A big sack by Oliver Bishop on 3rd down forced the Aztecs into a punting situation. On the 4th down, a high snap over the punter’s head and out the back of the endzone resulted in a safety which made the score line 15-6 in favour of the home side. On the ensuing kick off, Blitz WR Kyle Jervier returned the ball for another TD and after the PAT, the Blitz lead stood at 22-6.

The Aztecs offense took the field with hopes of a miracle but the Blitz’s winning mentality shone through as Kodjo Davis came up with the interception to end the game and give the Blitz a 22-6 win.

Blitz reporter Yonis Aden Meet The Players: José Van Oosten, DB #32

Where did your Blitz journey begin? My Blitz journey began at training camp in 2016. I hadn’t done any type of exercise in over 6 months due to an injury and I had just flown into the UK. I woke up at 3am to drive to camp and as soon as I arrived at 6am I was put in a kick-off drill and was sprinting down the field. Needless to say I was very uncoordinated and tripped myself up on the first play.

What is your goal for this season? My goal for the team is to end the drought and be crowned as national champions. We have a young and very talented team and I’m confident we can go all the way. That said, we’re taking the journey one game at a time. On a personal level, I strive to be recognised as a leader on the team.

Who is the best coach you've ever had and why? I’ve had a number of amazing coaches that I’m very grateful for. That said the coach that stands out most is Wayne Hill. I played under Wayne’s tutelage for five years and he really made me the player I am today. Beyond his ability to mould students into disciplined, knowledgeable and intelligent football players, he was the one that instilled principles of work ethic, enthusiasm and effort that has pushed me as a football player.

What was the best game of your career and why? BUCS National Championship against Hertfordshire Hurricanes in 2013. It wasn’t the best game I played personally, but it was an amazing team effort to come from behind and win the Championship with a minute or so left. I will never forget the defence I played with in that game. We played lights out and kept one of the best offences in the country to 13 points despite starting in terrible field position numerous times. Couple that with the fact that we’d suffered two heart-breaking losses in the previous two National Championship games (one against the Hurricanes in 2012) and you can imagine how much this meant.

If you could capture your career in one word, what would it be? Perseverance Meet The Partners DraftKings

Following extensive engagement throughout the off season, The London Blitz are pleased to announce the team's partnership with Draft Kings on a multi year sponsorship deal. In a pioneering partnership, Draft Kings will be the primary sponsor of the elite senior team for the next three years. As part of the partnership, Draft Kings are committed to developing interest in the sport and will provide valuable practice resources for the club.

Draft Kings allows users to enter daily and weekly fantasy sports-related contests and win money based on individual player and team performances in five major American sports (MLB, the NHL, the NFL, the NBA and the PGA), Premier League and UEFA Champions League soccer, NASCAR auto racing, Canadian Football League, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), as well as American college football and college basketball.

With the NFL still on hiatus before a new season starts in September, Draft Kings still has a number of activities to be involved in. Keep your eyes on the Blitz Facebook page for information on how to get involved with the club on various leagues with the potential for some substantial prizes Meet The Partners Fit Fab Therapy

Proud to be in partnership with both London Blitz American Football Team and American football team.

Our Team of qualified and experienced graduate Sports Therapists provide first class pitch side first aid as well as offering pre-game taping and massage.

If you are interested in us covering an event or working with your team please call company director Lara Inge on 01234 302619 or email [email protected] London Blitz A Premiership South Schedule

Date Opponent H/A Result Score 30th April Bristol Aztecs Away Win 23 - 36 7th May Bury Saints Away Win 7 - 36 14th May Home Win 14 - 13 21st May Farnham Knights Away Win 14 - 64 11th June Bristol Aztecs Home Win 22 - 6 18th June Bury Saints Home - - 2nd July Bury Saints Home - - 9th July London Warriors Away - - 16th July Farnham Knights Home - - 6th August London Warriors Away - -

London Blitz A Premiership South Standings

Team Win Loss Tie PCT PF PA London Blitz 5 0 0 100 172 66 London Warriors 5 1 0 83 270 73 Bury Saints 2 3 0 40 141 160 Bristol Aztecs 1 3 0 25 99 105 Farnham Knights 0 6 0 0 60 337 London Blitz A Roster

Number Player Name Position Number Player Name Position

2 Dominic Husbands WR 40 Chibuzor Ezeugwa LB

3 Kyle Jervier WR 42 Nick Halfpenny DB

4 Shane Afolabi DB 50 Dan Howard LB

5 Joe Thompson QB 53 Lewis Hunter LB

6 Luke Prendergast DB 54 Eddie Cheadle LB

7 Remmy Ezeabasili RB 56 Majid Alsahlani OL

8 Craig Marron WR 57 Scott Hillcoat OL 9 Stuart Franklin QB 58 Alex Davies OL 10 Jack Daley WR 60 Justin Adenuga OL 11 Ronel Daley-Thomas WR 62 Phil Cherry OL 12 Josh Adamson QB 65 Matt Meyer OL 13 Mike Aboujaoude WR 66 Joshua Olajumoke OL 15 Aaron Linley F 70 Juke Whitney DL 17 Alex Salter WR 71 Bam Olaseni OL 18 Oliver Bishop RB 72 Pete Sochart OL 19 Germain Pelie LB 74 Ayodeji Ogunkolati DL 20 Mike Grant DB 77 Olly Sunmola OL 21 Glen Mbeleg-Toonga RB 78 Azmi Sbaiti OL 23 Dwight Caulker RB 80 Henry Charlton-Weedy WR 24 Enoch Hankombo DB 81 James Draper F 25 Dotun Ademiju DB 84 Sam Rodgers WR 26 Lewis Owusu-Afriyie RB 86 Alex Laird F 27 Kodjo Davis DB

28 Temi Oduyemi RB 88 Jasper Van-Dooren WR 29 Jason Selormey DB 90 Alan Blake DL 30 Jacob Spindler DB 92 Panashe Chinex DL

32 Jose van Oosten DB 94 Charlie Cohen DL 33 Tom Wilkinson DB 95 Ari Halldorsson LB

34 Gabriel Quartey RB 98 Jamie Charles DL 38 Sam Jeater DB 99 Kamil Potrec DL Bury Saints Roster

Number Player Name Position Number Player Name Position 1 Tommy Ellerbe RB 39 Donterio Mcintosh DB 2 Josh Turner DB 40 Luke Cowley DB 3 Willie Sloan DB 42 Andrew Kim OLB 4 Oren Hemphill DB 44 Trent Myers ILB 5 Tom Mann ILB 45 Phil Blowers DB 6 Francis Hughes QB 47 Derek Harrington TE 7 Cory Jenkins RB 49 Ramsey Rico Orr DL 8 Anthony Hazel DB 50 Enrique Smith ILB 9 Cody Mowry RB 51 Chris Smith OLB 10 Danny Wise OLB 52 Kyle Purewal ILB 11 Joe Hill WR 54 Jack Hewitt OLB 12 Fred Boyle QB 55 Dan Vicsik DL 13 Brock Mallek WR 56 Matt Waghorn OL 14 Josh Marlow WR 57 James Watson OL 15 Derek Webb WR 58 Calvin Erkens OL 16 Brandon Weiler WR 60 Dan Gifford OL 17 David Hobbs DB 62 Adam Blowers OL 18 Don Ray Washington TE 64 Kevin Greer OL 19 AAron Wheatley WR 66 Will Cullum OL 20 Nicky Goult DB 67 Tommy Lockerty OL 21 Alex Smith ILB 71 Rob Love DL 22 Troy Cockerill DB 74 Derek Wennersten DL 23 Dmont Herring DB 76 Michael Bragge OL 25 Rob Patterson ILB 77 Shaz Begg DL 26 Logan Fountaine DL 80 Paul Bowers WR 27 Rob Giles DB 81 Will Awadije WR 28 Derek White RB 88 Evin Reese WR 29 Chris May RB 93 Kyle Andrews DL 31 Mike Galindo DB 95 Steve Wood DL 32 Zach Hill ILB 98 Randy Williamson DL 33 Fabian Mitchell DL 99 Will Hill DL 34 Justin Gulley ILB Ben Goulding RB 36 Scott Schellhardt ILB Axl Rodwell WR Shannon Oneill OLB