The Destroyers' Rookies of 2011

As you should know by now, the Portsmouth Destroyers are reigning BUAFL Champions! However, this obviously put huge pressure on the Rookies signing up this year. 36, in total, made it on to the team, meaning they outnumber the experienced players. After catching up with Head Coach Russ Hewitt, I found out who his 'ones to watch' were and asked these questions (as well as a bonus question each!):
1- Why did you join the Destroyers?
2- Did you know they were champions before you joined?
3- What has been your favourite game so far?

So, in numerical order...
Running Back #1 Folahanmi Dare: 

Fola playing @ BNU

1.  I joined the Destroyers because I'm an American Football player by nature [Fola is from New York]. I've played for well over a decade and I love the sport, so coming to a university that had a team was not even a question for me
2. I knew they were champions after following their season on the BUAFL website
3. My favourite game so far has to be against the BNU Buccaneers. I scored my first two touchdowns and I feel I really came out of my shell and showed the team my potential and game-day persona, which seemed to surprise a few people

What's your favourite thing about being a destroyer? My favourite thing about being a Destroyer is the confidence I have in my team-mates and coaching staff to alsways work hard and in turn benefit outselves as a unit. WHO DEM BOYS?! 

Dami playing the Panthers (far left)

Tight End #18 Damilola Oyinlola: 

1. I joined because I like the sport, a friend encouraged me to join... and I get to hit people [Ree- o_0]
2. Yeah, I did know they were champions
3. Favourite game was against Oxford Brook's Panthers because we really stepped up and I got to start.

Do you believe the Destroyers can claim the title again this year? Yeah, we can. The team wants to, we'll work hard and we'll make it happen!

Edd playing Brunel @ home

Outside Linebacker #52 Edd Hunt 

1. I've followed American Football for a number of years, but never had the chance to play it, so when I saw Portsmouth had a team, I had to get involved.
2. I didn't know they were champions before I came to uni, but I found out at Fresher's Fayre
3. My favourite game has to be against the Brunel Burners, to finally put the kit on and start the first game of the season was amazing!

American Football doesn't have the best reception in this country, what would you say to the people who put it down? I believe that people are getting the wrong idea of the sport completely. UK spectators tend to give the game 'stick' due to the long games and constant stop/starting of a match. But what most spectators don't reaslie is that the only game they tend to see is the Superbowl, which is much longer that a regular game and that the stop/starting of the game allows players to be more explosive! When you consider the size of the players compared to other sports, it's ridiculous that they can play at such a speed!

Defensive Lineman #77 Jack Valler

Jack running on field @Imperial

1. I used to play Semi-pro rugby and I've always thought American Football would be a good game to play, and when I heard that they Destroyers were national champions and the rugby team weren't so good, I thought I'd give it a go.
2. I knew they were champions, but only because I asked around people who play in the summer teams
3. The game against Imperial Immortals has to be my favourite. I got around 10 tackles, 1 sack, a safety and a couple of forced fumbles, it wasn't the team's best game but I thought I performed well.

What American Football team do you support and who's your favourite player?

Green Bay Packers [Ree- yeah boi!]  or Baltimore Ravens. Clay Matthews [GB Packers' #52 linebacker]

Taofeeq @Imperials

Wide Receiver #80 Taofeeq Adeyemi: 

1. I joined because I wanted to try out a new sport and American Football seemed like the most fun
2. I didn't know the Destroyers were champions until after I joined!
3. My favourite game so far has been against the Imperial Immortals because it was the first game that I got quite a lot of game time on.

Were you put off at all after hearing that the Destroyers were champions? Did you feel added pressure? When I found out that they were champions, my first thought was obviously this team is very good. So at first I just wanted to try and do as best as I could. As it got closer to the beginning of the season, I wanted to do as best as I could in order for the coaches to see my potential and get myself a starting position.

Wide Receiver #82 Lee Watson

Lee playing Brunel @ home

1. The main reason I joined is because I love the sport, I've been following it all my life and played a little before univeristy. Also, it was clear during the taster session and training camp that we've got good coaches that are always going to push us to be better, and I enjoy a challenge. The sport is different to any other sport out there, you won't find a more team-oriented sport, which makes for a good atmosphere both on and off the pitch. It's fun and a laugh being part of the Destroyers. I also want to win a national championship as my brother won 2 whilst at uni... so I'm looking to get 3! [No pressure boys!]
2. I did know the Destroyers were champions before joining
3. My favourite game so far has been the game against the Brunel Burners as it was my first game as a Destroyer and it was a home game, so I had friends and family watching.

How are you finding balancing both university and football? I find it fairly easy to be honest. Being a fresher, there's not too much work and most of my course is test based so I don't have much coursework, which saves a lot of time.


The boys still have work to do as a whole, and they're not done proving themselves yet! Let's hope the hard work pays off and these boys help give the Destroyers a national championship title once more!