Aberdeen Roughnecks
| Established | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Based in | Aberdeen, Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home stadium |
The Rig, Hazlehead Park | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach | Scott Campbell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General manager | Grant Travis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | BAFA National Leagues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | National North | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current uniform | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Aberdeen Roughnecks are a Scottish American football club based in Aberdeen, Scotland. Their home ground is called The Rig, situated within Hazlehead Park. Having successfully completed the required associate process, they played in the National North division of the BAFA National Leagues (BAFANL) for the first time in 2014.[1]
Along with the Hastings Conquerors, the Roughnecks are one of only two co-operative American Football clubs in the United Kingdom, having incorporated into an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) in April 2014.[2][3]
History
Pre-1995
Aberdeen had an American football team before the Roughnecks, with the Granite City Oilers running from February 1986. The original team enjoyed some success, winning their conference in 1989 and again in 1993 before they disbanded in 1995.[4]
2012
The club began with a few fans of the sport meeting in Seaton Park to throw a ball around. Joint training camps and scrimmages followed with the Highland Wildcats adult side, giving the players a taste of game action.[5][6]
2013
The Roughnecks now had a head coach in place, and enough players to apply for associate membership of the British American Football Association (BAFA), taking their first step to entering the UK's league structure.[7] Additionally, the club acquired a home field in Hazlehead Park, named The Rig, and installed goals to host home games.
To fulfill the conditions of full membership, the club played 3 matches towards the end of the year: the Glasgow Tigers and Clyde Valley Blackhawks visited The Rig, before the team travelled south to face the Dundee Hurricanes.[8] Despite suffering losses in all 3 games, the Roughnecks proved that they were competitive enough and ready to enter the BAFA National Leagues, and were voted in as full members of BAFA at the body's AGM in November 2013.[9]
Junior and Youth Programme
As full members of BAFA, the Roughnecks have committed to launching a youth development programme in 2014, as mandated by the governing body. This will initially take the form of a youth team (14–17 years old), with a junior team (17–19 years old) expected to follow at some stage in the future.
Sponsorship and Recruitment
Aberdeen Roughnecks operate as a not-for-profit sports club, with no members of the playing or coaching staff receiving payments. In addition, each player pays membership fees to keep the club running. To buy new equipment and develop the club in other ways, the Roughnecks rely on sponsorship from businesses in the local area. Currently, the team's principal sponsor is Campus/Garage bar and nightclub, who have supported the team since its inception.[10]
In terms of recruitment, the Roughnecks welcome any potential new players, as well as general volunteers who want to lend a helping hand.[11]
The Rig
The Roughnecks home field is situated in Hazlehead Park, beside the Joe Paterson Sports Pavilion and its assorted football pitches. Training is also held here every non-playing Sunday from 1pm until 4pm.[12]
By Bus
Hazlehead Park sits on a few bus routes through Aberdeen - the number 11 First Bus route, as well as the X17, 200 and 210 Stagecoach Bluebird routes.[13]
By Car
The park can be accessed from the B9119, via a roundabout. Follow Hazlehead Road, and you will find parking on the left hand side after a short distance.[14]
2013 Results
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 13 October | VS Glasgow Tigers | L 0-25 | 0 - 1 |
| Sunday 20 October | VS Clyde Valley Blackhawks | L 6-90 | 0 - 2 |
| Sunday 16 November | @ Dundee Hurricanes | L 50-22 | 0 - 3 |
2014 Results
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 13 April | @ Dundee Hurricanes | L 13-40 | 0 - 1 |
| Sunday 27 April | @ Clyde Valley Blackhawks | L 0-75 | 0 - 2 |
| Sunday 11 May | @ Glasgow Tigers | L 0-39 | 0 - 3 |
| Sunday 25 May | VS West Coast Trojans | L 6-48 | 0 - 4 |
| Sunday 8 June | VS Clyde Valley Blackhawks | L 0-46 | 0 - 5 |
| Sunday 15 June | @ Edinburgh Wolves | L 0-48 | 0 - 6 |
| Sunday 13 July | @ West Coast Trojans | L 0-38 | 0 - 7 |
| Sunday 3 August | VS Edinburgh Wolves | L 0-69 | 0 - 8 |
| Sunday 10 August | VS Glasgow Tigers | W 12-6 | 1 - 8 |
| Sunday 17 August | VS Dundee Hurricanes | T 7-7 | 1 - 8 - 1 |
References
- ↑ "Aberdeen Roughnecks accepted into National League" - Evening Express, 21/12/2013
- ↑ Hastings Conquerors - Buy a Share (official website)
- ↑ Aberdeen Roughnecks - Get Involved (official website)
- ↑ www.britballnow.com History
- ↑ "Joint Training Camp: Aberdeen Roughnecks 0-12 Highland Wildcats"
- ↑ "Joint Training Camp: Highland Wildcats 14-3 Aberdeen Roughnecks"
- ↑ "A warm welcome to new associate teams" - BAFA National Leagues, 30/05/2013
- ↑ "Roughnecks suffer at the hands of a Hurricane" - Dundee Hurricanes official site, 24/11/2013
- ↑ "Aberdeen Roughnecks accepted into National League" - Evening Express, 21/12/2013
- ↑ Sponsors
- ↑ Official site
- ↑ BBC Things To Do
- ↑ http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/community_life_leisure/parks_open_spaces/pos_hazleheadpark.asp
- ↑ Google Maps (Hazlehead Park)
External links
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||