Gridiron Kiwi Style

19 September 2005

Gridiron Kiwi Style

American Football or Gridiron as it is known in New Zealand has undergone a revamp. To help make the game more accessible to New Zealanders American Football Wellington with the help of US College and Professional coaches have developed a new style of football based on two principals.

1. To develop the game so players can progress to higher levels
2. To develop the game to make it more attractive to spectators

In order to achieve this they have reduced the playing numbers to 7 a side, this will see more long passes, more big runs and more of the big hits that attract spectators to the game. The long games have been reduced to twenty minute quarters brining it back to the 80 minutes of footballs kiwis are used to.

The Spartans are the Hutt Valley’s team and begin practice on Saturday’s at 1pm at their field on Harcourt Werry Drive. They are looking for athletes who are keen to learn the game. “Attitude is more important than experience” says Jared Bradley Defensive Co-ordinator for the Spartans “We can have a dedicated rookie up to speed in just a few weeks”.

The Spartans who were knocked out tin the Semi finals last season are looking to go all the way the “big show”, Otherwise known as the “Ambassadors Cup” and then on to the national championship.

The off season work has included setting up the Valley Collegiate Gridiron league which kicks off September 15 which will see Hutt Valley Secondary Schools battle it out every Thursday night and a partnership with the San Antonio Riders which will see players and coaches undertaking exchanges in future seasons.

ENDS

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