17th September 2008 - Touchdown at Duloch Library

Coaches and team members from Fife Fire and Forth Valley Fusion American Football teams touched down at Duloch Library last week.

The teams, who train and play at Duloch Community Campus, have donated a collection of coaching books and DVDs to the library. Players and coaches will use the comprehensive training resource and library facilities to complement the excellent amenities provided at Duloch Leisure Centre.

Coach Mark Bramwell explained, "With this coaches library in place, we now have the theory side to accompany the practical elements of football. As well as bringing the sport to the local community library, we ensure our

coaches are the best placed and prepared to deliver engaging and fundamental football practice."

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The team ran a competition through radio and newspaper to find a name for the team, the winning entry was from Stuart Rennie who suggested the FORTH VALLEY FUSION.

FORTH VALLEY FUSION GM Mark Bramwell said, “As soon as we heard the name Fusion it was unanimous, it fits exactly with the concept that has brought two organisations together to benefit the existing youth players and the juniors that will be the mainstay of the team in the years ahead”.

The facilities secured by the FORTH VALLEY FUSION will be among the best available to any team in the UK. Duloch sports centre is a 7 month old state of the art complex.

Duloch boasts 3 grass pitches, 3 astro pitches, 2 junior pitches, 4 indoor halls, changing for 300 and a 160 seat conference theatre. The team have also secured partnership with Pitreavie Athletic Centre who will run their winter training facility providing athletes with a full 16 week programme consisting of speed work and strength and conditioning under fully qualified UKSCA instructors. Pitreavie has excellent facilities including 5 strength platforms, full outdoor arena and grand stand, full 110m indoor running track, speed & strength coaches, physiotherapist and a nutritionist.

The Fusion will have its first practice on Thursday 10th of July at the Duloch Sports Centre, arrive for 6.30 to register, next to the 24hr Tesco superstore. Every one is welcome regardless of ability or experience. All major equipment will be provided by the club, all you need is a pair of boots and a gum shield.

The official launch of the team is on Saturday 12th of July at Duloch sports centre. Feel free to come down and join in there will be a presentation, tour of the facilities at Duloch and Pitreavie and junior skills and drills session. For more information, visit www.forthvalleyfootball.co.uk

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29th April 2008 - New coach joins the Fire staff

Headcoach Mark Bramwell is delighted to announce a new addition to the coaching staff as we welcome Coach Rob Cook.

Rob has been appointed as a Flag Football assistant coach and starts with immediate effect. He and Coach Bramwell have worked together previously with the Kirkcaldy Bulls flag football team, and we know Coach Cook will fit in well with the coaching ethos at the Fire.

Coach Bramwell commented. "It's great to welcome Coach Cook to the team, and his addition boosts our coaching staff up to 7 after we welcomed Coach Glendinning earlier this year", he continued, "Rob will be assisting me in developing a new Flag Football team for boys and girls aged 11-14, and I'm looking forward to working with him again".

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Assistant Coach Rob Cook

They failed to capitalize on their opening possession however, with a fumbled ball which saw rookie Free Safety Jack Nield recover it to give the home side the ball on the Inverness 7 yard line. The Fire wasted no time putting the ball away for 6 points, with Fullback Sam Ross running the ball in for the opening score. The PAT was unsuccessful, a common theme for the rest of the day.

The next Wildcats’ drive again resulted in a fumbled ball, with Nosetackle Sam Ross getting pressure in the backfield and pouncing on the loose ball. The Fire continued to punish the visitors with scores on every offensive drive. Quarterback Scott McKenzie connected with Craig Hendry for 2 touchdowns before sophomore Running Back Martyn Paterson scored his first touchdown of the day with a very well executed run for 6 points. Again, neither touchdown was converted.

The Wildcats started to gain some ground on their next possession and took advantage of a blown Fife coverage and missed tackles, that saw their running back take the ball the length of the field for the touchdown. Inverness also had trouble with their conversion, failing to tack on the extra point. The Fire scored again just before half time with another completed pass from McKenzie, this time to Paterson who tip toed in for the score. The score at the break was a healthy 30-6 to the Fire, with the Fife side in possession after the interval.

More home scores ensued with another touchdown run from Paterson, followed by Hendry finding the endzone again. This time the score was converted for 2, Paterson doing the honours running the ball again. The Wildcats managed another score as they tried to find an answer for the home side, but the gap widened further as Hendry ran in yet another touchdown, and then converting as well for another 2 points. Sam Ross got in on the action again, scoring another twice before the end of the day, with his power running style. The final score a very impressive 64-12 to the Fire.

Although seemingly a one sided game, Fire Headcoach Mark Bramwell was quick to compliment the visiting Wildcats. “We were delighted to see them travel down from Inverness and join us as both teams prepare for the new season. They have a very new, young squad this year, and showed they have the potential.”

He continued, “Our Junior team are starting to really come together, and are looking good for 2008. We’ve put in a lot of hard work, both in preseason training and off season behind the scenes in the coaching staff. We’ve had almost a new team this year, as the majority of last year’s Junior squad have made the move up to Youth football. However, we’ve recruited well and have signed some great athletes.”

Explaining more, coach Bramwell said “Today was a good chance to see what we have, and where we can look to fit in our rookie players. We had a very good result as a team today, with a few stand out performances. Offensively we were very tight and effective, we just need to work on those conversions. We can’t go in to the regular season failing to add on 1 or 2 extra points and just settle for 6 each time. Defensively we need to make a few tweaks and a few personnel changes, but on the whole we were in control the whole game.”

Focus now turns to preparing for the opening tournament and the chance to see what the Fire can really do when they play teams from Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, Wishaw, Renfrew and Inverness. Anyone looking for further information can check out the Fire’s website at www.fifefire.com for the latest news and developments.

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Both clubs are eager to let their Junior teams get some game time before the season starts in April, and with a lot of new faces for 2008, Headcoach Mark Bramwell is looking forward to the fresh Junior team taking to the gridiron.

“We’ve lost a lot of players from 2007 as they graduate up to the Youth team, but we’ve recruited well in recent months and have a lot of potential athletes that are starting to look very good”, explained Bramwell, “We will get a good look at them on Saturday against the Wildcats and start to see where players will fit in to our scheme for 2008."

Action is set to start at 2pm, and the Fire would welcome anyone to come down and give their support to this year’s Junior squad, who are looking to build on their success of last year and challenge for a playoff berth in September.

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21st March 2008 - Easter celebrations

Our cheerleaders are supporting Radio Tay presenters Karen B and Stuart Webster at Camperdown Park this Sunday 12-4pm at the Easter Extravaganza.

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24th February 2008 - Cheerleaders sponsored Pom Pom walk

Our cheerleaders are taking part in a sponsored Pom Pom walk this Sunday. They will start at 1pm at Springfield and head for Cupar Muir, to Cupar then Stratheden and back to Springfield. About 6 miles!

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2nd February 2008 - Open recruitment day success

The Fire held their open recruitment trials today at the Balwearie High School sports hall in Kirkcaldy, which welcomed 24 young athletes and rookies. For 2 hours, potential players were put through their paces by the coaching staff, and took part in a whole range of drills.

They also got to try out for different positions and a chance to impress the coaches who are looking for the next influx of players to join the Fire in 2008.

The coaching staff were very impressed with the turn out and work rate of everyone attending, and have invited everyone back to the start of preseason training on Saturday 9th. Well done to everyone.

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As the race for the Super Bowl heats up in the USA, young fans can cut themselves a slice of American Pie in Kirkcaldy on Saturday 2nd February. Local club Fife Fire will be returning to preseason training, and welcome all new recruits to come along and try their hand at this exhilarating sport.

Headcoach Mark Bramwell explained, “This is a great chance for anyone interested in playing American Football to get involved and have a go. The session is open to any young people aged from 11-19, and will give everyone a chance to take part in drills and skills of the game and see what it’s like to be a part of an American Football team”

He continued, “We hope this will be a great experience for any young person and would encourage anyone with an interest in the sport to come down and give it a try.”

Last year’s open recruitment drive was a big success and saw the team sign some good athletes who helped lead the Fire’s junior team to an impressive first season in 2007. This year, for the first time, the club are opening their doors to younger players. Coach Bramwell explained “In previous years we recruited players 14-18 for our American Football teams. This year I am delighted to announce that we are also welcoming players aged 11-14 as we build a new Flag Football team for 2008.”

The new Flag Football team, a non contact version of the game, has been developed from the success of the club’s involvement with Fife Council’s Active Schools programme. Active Schools co-ordinator Andrew Lane said, "The Flag after school clubs have proved hugely successful, with both boys and girls attending. We now have three schools with clubs and have games between the teams. It is vital that there is an opportunity for children in this age group to continue playing the game away from school"

Coach Bramwell continued, “It really is important that we give these young kids the best chance we can to take part in sport. They are at a key age where they are realising their sporting potential, and if we can offer them something that is different, and a sport that may not be normally available to them, we give them the best chance to be successful in an environment that they enjoy.”

The Fire’s open day with be held at the Balwearie High School community use on Saturday 2nd February from 11 – 1pm. The day is free of charge to attend and the coaching staff hope to see as many young people there as possible.

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