Fun for all the family at EAFL season opener in Dubai

Sport360 staff 14:44 23/10/2014
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  • More to expect: Apart from the games, there will be music and contests to keep spectators entertained.

    A new season of the Emirates American Football League (EAFL) kicks off this weekend and the entertaining action will be taken up a notch for this year’s campaign.

    All four men’s teams will take the field tomorrow (Friday) as defending champions Abu Dhabi Wildcats try to pick up where they left off against the Al Ain Desert Foxes at 17:00, while the Stallions and Barracudas face-off in the battle for Dubai at 19:30.

    Though the men’s teams headline the day, the youth league will feature 10 teams across three divisions of PeeWee, junior varsity and varsity beginning at noon and leading up to the Wildcats-Desert Foxes clash.

    The EAFL have invested heavily in their youth programmes and are confident that their level will continue to improve.

    “The youth league is the heart and soul of the EAFL,” said EAFL general manager Dustin Cherniawski.

    “Our junior varsity division is the most competitive and that one is always a race to the Desert Bowl. All six teams are looking great and there are some amazing coaches at that level and the kids are at a great age where they understand the sport now, know their bodies better.”

    A fast-paced style of football will be played on the turf of Dubai Sports City and hard hits won’t be the only thing served up come game-day.

    Entry is free with hot food and cold beverages on offer. Burgers will be flipped courtesy of Ruth’s Chris Steak House and beverages will be on offer until 17:00.

    The EAFL’s resident DJ Allad will blast music and the halftime shows will have contests and prize giveaways.

    Also for the first time, the league will have a cheer team, Cheer Dubai, which will perform from halftime of the first men’s game to halftime of the second game – one of many new additions this season.

    “They’re doing authentic cheerleading,” said Cherniawski.

    “It’s not a dance team, it’s actual cheerleading, so they’re doing stunts and lifts and structures and all that kind of stuff. This will be their first opportunity to unveil all the new routines they’ve been working on.”

    The EAFL have made an effort to improve the experience of watching and following the league by adding other cool elements that fans can enjoy.

    This season will have new announcers, film crews to capture more videos, two sideline reporters to conduct in-game interviews and a stats team to keep track of the top players.

    While the additions will raise the quality of the EAFL experience, the league knows the product on the field is still the priority and has drawn new players to strap it up.

    “We’ve got a lot of great new talent this year,” said Cherniawski.

    “Now that the league is established and people know about us, there are both players who were hesitant to get back into football and now have the fever again and coming back out of retirement and into the EAFL. And there are a lot of people who were playing other sports and going, ‘Wow, I really like what I’m seeing with the EAFL, maybe I’ll give that a try’ and they come out to a couple of practices and stay.

    “Definitely, we’re doing some things right and turning some heads, but more importantly, we’re getting guys to come out and participate on the field which is our goal.”

    Everyone is encouraged to come and check out this weekend’s games and for those interested in learning more about the sport, it’s a perfect opportunity.

    “If you’ve never been to an American football game and you’ve always been curious to see what it’s all about, come on down and see how the EAFL puts on an authentic football experience from the players to the fans.”

    What: Emirates American Football League opening weekend
    When: Tomorrow, October 24 with youth games starting at noon and the men’s games starting at 17:00.
    Where: Dubai Sports City
    Cost: Entry is free
    Ages: Family entertainment
    Sport360° Verdict: Whether or not you’re a fan of American football, the EAFL’s season opener is sure to deliver on and off the field.
    Contact: Visit www.eafl.ae

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