By Michael Preston
The Great Britain women’s team are already in gameday mode four weeks ahead of the IFAF European Flag Football Championships. And they have something to prove after sliding down the world rankings having been absent from international competition since 2019.
The Lions held a pre-tournament camp last weekend at the Wickersley School and Sports College in Rotherham with only the squad members who will travel to compete in Limerick from August 18-20 taking part, rather than an extended group.
“Our head coach very much likes to train as if we’re playing and wants the team to be prepared going into every play as a game situation and take it just as seriously,” explains GB team manager Danika Taylor of coach Dean Whittingslow.
“It was important for us to get grass facilities because the tournament in Limerick will be played on grass. It gives a different element and dimension to the way the team plays. It’s more springy and wet when you’re in the UK and probably when we’re in Ireland as well. It was important to simulate that as much as possible because there’s no point in paying on perfect 3G conditions if that’s now how it’s going to be in Limerick.”
The two-day camp involved five hours of on-field drills and offensive and defensive game situations with a group that assembled from across the British Isles, along with Boston, Massachusetts-based Brittany Botterill. Despite the need for trans-Atlantic travel, the quarterback never misses a camp or in-person get together with the team as they target success in the continental competition and beyond. Sunday focused on reviewing film of their performances and additional on-field workouts, and equally important was an opportunity to socialize in the evenings to enhance team chemistry.
Due to restrictions during the pandemic that denied them an opportunity to compete in Israel in 2021 and subsequently at The World Games, Great Britain has not graced the international arena since finishing as runners up in the 2019 European Championships. That resulted in an arguably lopsided world ranking of 20thas other nations have progressed on the world scene.
“That’s been four years when we’re not been on the competitive side of the field,” says Danika. “We did attend King Bowl, but as our head coach said at the time, that was about pulling the team together and checking that the playbook worked and not necessarily winning.
“People’s priorities and things they’re doing in their lives change, so there’s a lot of new people with the team from 2019. We finished second and that is a good indicator to us that what we’re doing is going in the right direction. Everyone’s extremely eager to get on the pitch to be competitive again.
“The coaches are happy for us to be down there as the underdogs, but we have an extremely competitive team that just needs an opportunity to showcase what we’re doing. We know what we’re capable of.”
Danika won’t be lining up when the first ball is snapped in Ireland, or coaching from the sidelines, but her role as team manager is critical to the team’s success. She oversaw logistics from 2014 to 2017, including tournaments in Copenhagen and Madrid, so returns well aware of what is required to ensure things go smoothly off the field for Great Britain.
“It’s about making sure you streamline and utilize all the support we have and organize logistically so that everyone from around the world arrives in the right place at the right time,” she explains. “We’ve got a great team and so long as I give them a heads up and let them know that what we’re doing is for the best of the program, they’re all fine with that.”
The Lions will meet up again, virtually at least, for an online camp before they travel the relatively short distance to Ireland. Then Great Britain will chip away at the world rankings and challenge for medals if those meticulous preparations pay dividends.
Photo: NFL UK# # #
