Westmeath Minotaurs make their return
The Westmeath Minotaurs American Football Club have returned to training and are recruiting for new players. Adam Corcoran, of Mullingar, has taken the reins of both senior and youth teams for the upcoming 2024 season. Near the top of Adam’s list of goals is to recruit and integrate new players. That goal is supported by a doubling of the number of coaches; with all staff attaining Sport Ireland coaching qualifications this offseason. The club is prepared to receive an influx of new players.
American football is a infamously complicated sport with many different player positions, rules, and skills required. It may seem intimidating for an individual to take the leap and give the sport a go. All the Minotaur coaches and players were faced the same when they first stepped onto an American football training pitch. When chatting with the Minotaur coaches and players all said that the initial apprehension goes away quickly when players dive into the training programme. In particular, Adam pointed out that many of the skills developed in GAA, rugby, and many other sports carry over to American football. Tackling, ball handling, man marking, advancing a ball, tracking angles, and more are utilized on the American football pitch. While previous sport experience is a plus there isn’t a requirement for it to join the team.
The other aspect of American football is the variety of body types required to field a capable team. Bigger players with power but maybe slower are just as important as the quick and nimble smaller players. Every body type can find a player position to contribute to the team. The Minotaur’s coaching staff builds players with no experience from the ground up and has individuals ready by the beginning of the competitive schedule. If the player is dedicated the staff will ensure he is ready to go.
The club has removed or reduced as many barriers as possible to entry into the American football community of Westmeath and the surrounding counties. Equipment for new players is provided, the coaching staff has been expanded, a youth team (15 -17 years old) has been established, senior training (18 and over) has started earlier in the year, and current players and coaches are more than willing to answer anyone’s questions. Interested individuals just need to take that first step. If you’re interested contact the club via facebook pm, email (info@westmeathminotaurs.com), or Instagram. Training is every Sunday from 1000 -1200 at the Mullingar Rugby Club.