Tigers Create History at Nationals
Colorado Springs CO - Recently the North Carolina Tigers participated in the largest Aussie Rules football tournament in the world...The 2008 USAFL National Championships. The Nationals this year was the best of times, the worst of times! On field the Tigers showed a renaissance of enthusiasm for the game, a tough but fair determination for the ball, and an unyielding desire for victory. The club finished 2-1, only being defeated by an invited Canadian team, Calgary. This was the best result ever for the Tigers, beating 2 top 10 teams in the process. Away from actual play, the weather Gods threw everything at the boys. Sub zero temperatures, mixed with freezing rain, made for a long Saturday at the playing venue. Thankfully, everyone remained positive and displayed incredible team spirit. In fact, during one game when the weather hovered around 30 degrees, the Tigers shut out Milwaukee - not letting them trouble the score keeper for the entire game! It became fairly obvious (if not before Nationals) that these two team attributes go hand in hand. Because of Nationals the club has strengthened it's on-field reputation nationally and shone a light of promise upon season 2009.
Afterwards Head Coach Jason Heathcote made special mention of a few players; those of the club's first year players; "Albeit all 24 players played great, it was a consistent team effort brought about by the inexperienced players raising their level of play to match that of our experienced Tigers." The Tigers fielded an incredible 7 players at Nationals with no national experience: Mark Griffin, Cristian Skilone, Brian Steffy, Patrick Badolato, Ben Sweet, John Scull, Daniel Nordstrom. All preformed admirably and beyond their experience should dictate.
The Tigers finish the year with the best record in recent memory. More games were played this year. The highly popular Black v White guernsey games were extended, and numerous social events were a hit. The club formally concludes the year with the annual Post Season Gala & Awards night held November 8th. Tickets are now on sale at NCTIGERS.com.
Tigers Prepare for Nationals
With the 2008 Home and Away season over, the football club has set its sights on the USAFL National Championships. This year the Nationals are held in Colorado Springs CO October 11-12. The tournament promises to be the largest yet, with over 25 football clubs from North America in attendance. The combination of players, administrators, families and fans makes hosting the event a daunting task and this year most activities will be held at the United States Air Force Academy.
The Tigers have begun their preparations for Nationals. Coach Jason Heathcote is instilling a greater sense of discipline in his young team that he hopes will create a strong bond amongst his inexperienced chargers. Practices have been well attended with only those players living outside of the Triangle area not attending the mandatory sessions. Heathcote has a tough job ahead with some difficult choices about playing time and line ups among the coaching tasks. 27 players have signed up for the trip, meaning players are now competing for playing time and recognition. The playing list represents old and new Tigers, with some playing their 5th or 6th Nationals, while for many this will be their first. The Tigers have played some encouraging football this season so the club is quietly confident this may be the year they break through for a Division title.
There is only 5 weeks till the big weekend in Colorado. The club is stressing to all players to increase their workload and make the most of practices. At least one more intra club game is to be played before Nationals so that gives players another chance to experience the game, impress the coach and press for selection.
Tigers on Tour in New York City
Like any good garage band there comes a time when you have to take your show on the road.
This past weekend a Band of Tigers loaded up the 15-person van and headed north to face two of the top teams in the USAFL.
Meeting up with a few other Tigers in Yonkers, the team of nineteen strong first squared off against the Boston Demons and then faced the New York Magpies.
Results were as follows: Boston Demons 7.9.(51) def. NC Tigers 4.0.(24) and New York Magpies 7.7.(49) def. NC Tigers 2.0.(12).
--> Full Report
Tigers Melt Philly's Hope for Win
On a day when temperatures reached 100 degrees, the young North Carolina Tigers clawed their way to a narrow victory over the visiting Philadelphia Hawks, 40-34, in the season opener.
--> Full Report
Black V White Clash!
Sunday, May 18th, marks the first of the Black V White IntraClub games to be played this year. The game will be held at the new ground for the 2008 Tigers season, Cedar Fork District Park in Morrisville, NC. It will be your first chance to see the Tigers at home as they break in the new ground and prepare for their first regular season game against Philadelphia on June 7th. Gametime is 2 PM.
New Season Is Here!
The Club recently announced the schedule for the 2008 season. More games should be added as the pre season continues, but currently the Tigers enjoy ten dates of football in 2008. The season kicks off with a possible tournament down in Florida, followed by a couple of encounters with familiar competitors. An updated schedule will be announced soon but already this season promises to provide the most football action the Tigers have ever witnessed. The club is also incorporating the successful Black v White jersey game which will be especially welcomed by the newer players joining the club. The full schedule will be announced and discussed at the first official practice, Saturday 1st March.
Mandatory Try Outs -
The club is to the size now where players are competing for playing time. Saturday 1st March is the first official practice for the club for the 2008 season, but it also marks our first try out for the season. General football skill and fitness will be assessed by the coaching staff. Everyone will again be given the opportunity to play this year, but the coaches do want to focus on players positions at this try out to allow them, and the players, to educate and learn the position and what is required to be successful at that spot on the field. So come prepared to run, kick, and listen!
501c3: Non-Profit -
The Board of Directors, led by Michael Jett in his role as Sponsorship Director, have brainstormed to further increase sponsorship levels. This year we are a 501(c)(3) CHARITY so any donations are tax deductible. The club is calling on all players to take it upon themselves to ask their network of associates if they would be interested in donating to the Tigers. We have an automated process in place to provide written acknowledgment of the contribution for tax purposes, so it has never been easier (or cheaper) to help the Tigers. The club is currently speaking to companies around town to secure primary sponsorship for the upcoming year. President Wesley McCallister has hefty goals in mind “Jett has provided more dedication and service to this cause than anybody prior, so we should see better returns than ever before.” Regardless, the Tigers are excited to embark on the challenge to grow the club off the field.
Gala & Awards Night!
Nov. 8th - 5:30 PM
Fosters American Grille
Get your tickets now!
Tigers Coach
Jason Heathcote
Hard Work Pays Off!
Wow, what a Nationals! As a club, we thrashed two top ten teams, get our best result ever at the national championships, and survived the miserable sub zero temperatures! We have worked all year to improve skills, knowledge, and strategy. Albeit important, I believe the largest change the team witnessed this year paid off the most...and that is attitude. We got more focused this year, we increased our workload, we got fitter, and we built an unbreakable team spirit. All of these were tested this past weekend. It was an incredible sight to see how well we all played together as one unit. We won games as a club, not as individuals. Plus it makes for so much more fun. I use this weekend as proof to one of my favorite sayings: "A club that drinks together, wins together!" Thanks for the great year fellas.
