The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WITH local flag football leagues nearing mid-season form and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championships three months away, the search has officially begun to compile a Bahamian national team.

Exuma was the location of the first combine and national team tryouts as Grand Bahama prepares to host the IFAF World Championships from September 7 to 12.

National Team Administrator Mel Ferguson said he was optimistic after the effort he saw in the first workout session.

“At first look, I thought this was going to be a long day, and when I saw coach Kenroy Woolery’s star athlete - an unassuming 19-year-old by the name of Jeremy Armbrister - walk onto the field, I thought, ‘well it may not be too bad’. “Armbrister showed up in a tee shirt, shorts and tennis shoes; in fact (with the exception of one) they all had on tennis shoes. While I thought this was going to be terrible watching them perform these very demanding football drills in tennis shoes for the next two hours, I watched and was totally impressed with the skills and competitive drive in each of his athletes.

“I was blown away in watching the young Armbrister run a 4.57 (seconds, timed on two stopwatches). I was also impressed with his explosive starts and strong steady stride. Armbrister’s athletic ability dominated the tryout. He is clearly a good prospect for the national team,” Ferguson said

“Armbrister was followed by one of our country’s finest, Immigration Officer Mr Brandon Fowler. At the age of 28, he’s in fit condition; it became clearly evident why his teammates told me. Fowler ran a blazing 4.78 secs in the 40 yard dash and what was even more impressive was his vertical jump of well over 30 inches.

“There were several other young men that had good scores today who, under the leadership of Coach Kenroy, could be Exuma’s best up and coming young talent. I look forward to seeing these young men grow and compete against their fellow countrymen for a spot on the national team. Exuma came out of the box with a bang making it an interesting next two weeks.”

Over the course of the next two weeks, the venues will shift to Abaco on Friday, Grand Bahama on Saturday and to New Providence on Saturday, May 21.

At each tryout, players will undergo a series of combine tests including the 10-yard shuttle, 20-yard shuttle, three cone drill, the ‘W” drill, 40-yard dash, standing broad jump, vertical jump and finally throwing and receiving skills.

This year marks the eighth edition of the IFAF World Championship, a bi-annual tournament for senior national teams in 5-on-5 flag football and has separate competitions for men and women. 

 Competing countries in this year’s event will include Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama and the USA. 

 The two additional countries could be Brazil and Honduras, if they win the medal rounds of the Americas qualifying tournament. 

There are 28 teams participating with a contingent of up to 20 persons per team. 

 That would mean a approximately 560 athletes and coaches descending on Grand Bahama during the five-day tournament.