- Northwestern Predators
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Predators Full name Northwestern Sydney American Football Club Nickname(s) Predators Strip Red / Black Sport Gridiron (American football) League Gridiron NSW Club song NA Coach Mark Levin This article is about Gridiron football. For other uses, see Predator (disambiguation).The Predators are a gridiron football club competing in the Gridiron NSW league.
The North Western Predators are a gridiron football club based in the hills district of North-Western Sydney. The North Western Predators currently compete in the Gridiron NSW championship league for the Waratah Bowl. It is the youngest of seven teams currently competing in the NSW Gridiron league.
Contents
History & Foundation
After becoming a Championship winning coach in the Victorian Gridiron football league President and Club Head Coach Mark Levin brought his experience and expertise to Sydney to form the Predators in 2005. The club was formed with the help of New Zealand gridiron veteran Wayne Wright, who moved to work in Queensland without ever seeing the team play. Labelled a "teaching club" the tireless efforts of its players, coaching and administrative staff have seen the Predators not only grow in size, but produce 3 National Gridiron Team Representatives and 10 NSW Team Representatives respectively, securing a place within the NSW gridiron league.
Team
The North Western Predators consists of Senior (over 18's) and junior (14 & up) teams. The Under-18 Colts Division of Gridiron NSW plays the Australian approved Seven Man game instead. This version allows for rule modifications that facilitate to players as young as 14 playing alongside 17 and 18-year-olds. It is a structured and safer model. It also assists in the development of the Colts so as to make for an easier transition to the main Eleven Man senior version of the game. Players from the Senior team assist the Colts junior team throughout the year, with players from the senior team forming the core coaching staff. The current coaches and managers for the junior team are:
Colts Team Manager Sandi Hill
Head Coach – Nadim Sharbean
Nadim is a 13 year veteran of American Football, starting his career in 1995 with the now defunct Manly Redbacks. He has represented the NSW Wolfpack State Team) on numerous occasions and, in 2000, represented NSW in the Colts Touring side to the USA. This is his third season as Head Coach of the Colts and is looking for great things from the talented squad. Nadim is also the current Team Captain of the Predators Senior team.Experience: 13 Years – Playing; 3 Years – Coaching. Playing Position: Middle Linebacker
Assistant Coach – Phil Calloway
Phil is one of the founding members of the Predators and his leadership has seen him be unanimously voted as one of the Senior Team Captain’s for the past two years. His keen intellect and unique vision have made him an open-minded Coach who tries to catch opponents by surprise. As a player, his presence in the trenches inspires his teammates. He looks to have the same impact with the Colts from the sideline.Experience: 5 Years – Playing; 3 Years – Coaching. Playing Position: Defensive End
Training
The North Western Predators train at Sir Thomas Mitchell Reserve, Alexander Street, Dundas Valley NSW. Their home games are played at Pennant Hills Hockey Centre, off Britannia Street, Pennant Hills NSW. The current training times are
Colts:
o Preseason (Pre Christmas) – Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm. o Preseason (Post Christmas) – Wednesday & Friday evenings from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm. o In Season – Wednesday evenings from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm.
Senior:
In Season Tuesday & Wednesday Evenings 7:30-9:30.
Achievements
In the four years of operation members of the North Western Predators have received the following awards:
- Coach of the Year 2005 – Mark Levin
- Senior Australian Outback Representative – Mark Livy
- Senior Australian Outback Representative – Houssayn 'Huss' Bazzi
- Colts Australian Outback Representative – Brent Parker
- Colts Australian Outback Representative – Mark 'Gorilla' Shoebridge
- 2008 Senior NSW Wolfpack Head Coach – Mark Levin (Won 2008 Australian National Gridiron Championships)
- 2008 High School Scholarship Program - Luke Robinson
Exposure
The North Western Predators as of 2009 have been featured in the following:
Hornsby Advocate The Hills News The Predators official blog "The Pred Post"
The North Western Predators also work to expose Gridiron to the local school community.
Sponsorship
The North Western Predators are currently sponsored by GumLeaf Gutter Protection Sydney.
Future Philosophy
Many consider the Predators to be a teaching club. Whilst that is still true in part, they are now aiming to take the next step forward. They will continue to teach the game of American Football to all that join them. However their emphasis has developed from being a club that’ll challenge others, to a club that’ll beat all-comers.
Misc Facts
The Predators team tagline is "Predators hunt together". The Predators, like all other Gridiron teams currently in Australia do not have cheerleaders. This may change in the future. They currently do not have a mascot.The Pred Post is maintained by the Senior-side Captain, Nadim C Sharbean.
External links
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