Priory's Sports Captain Makes Team GB

Year 11 pupil, James, has been called up to the Great Britain Lions Development American Football squad.

The Deputy Head Boy and Sports Captain already plays for the successful Chorley Buccaneers side, who won the English title two years ago, with James part of the squad despite only being 14, as well as being ranked second in Great Britain at that time.

James captained the side in his second season, aged 15, and this year they won the Northern Conference, winning nine of their games and losing only two, with James at the helm.

James was invited to attend the GB Under 17 trials at Skelmersdale, where there was around 300 competing for places, and he was successful.

“It’s a huge honour, especially being invited to the trials. They were in October, I was told I had got in in November and I attended my first GB training camp earlier this month in Telford.

“I played three roles  –  defensive linebacker, punter and kicker - and I was surprised I was picked for all three for Team GB.

“For Chorley Buccaneers, it’s five-a-side games but in the GB Development Squad it’s 11-a-side. We can’t play too many competitive games, although I hope to play GB North v South next year.

"I hope to move up to the Under 19 Performance Squad and, if I do, we will play games in Holland and Germany."

James was on the books of AFC Fylde but had to give it up to concentrate on American football.