A NEW gridiron team have set their sights on playing in the British American Football Association National League next year.

Worcestershire Black Knights train twice a week on the football pitches at Diglis Basin in Worcester and are appealing for new players aged 16 years and above.

Experienced coach Colin Branagh, who has worked with well-established Sandwell Steelers and was connected to the England set up, is involved in the project.

Josh Chambers and James Bacon, both from university's Worcester Royals team, are members of the newly-established club.

The new club is being driven by Upton-on-Severn duo Si Watten and Tom Reynolds, while Sam Chappell-Davies travels from Ross-on-Wye.

Worcestershire Black Knights must play three friendly games over the next 12 months to qualify for league status in 2016.

Watten said: “We are trying to spread the word about the new club as far as possible.

"We have a few players from Malvern and Sam who comes all the way from Ross on Wye.

“Since the demise of the Redditch Arrows and Hereford Chargers, the only American football team in the county has been at the University of Worcester.

“People who love American football have had to travel outside the county to get their gridiron fix.

“But a community American football programme is now in place with an end goal of creating a team fit for the British American Football Association National League."

Watten added: “Branagh has more than 32 years’ coaching experience in the game and the total experience from all the coaches at the club is 50 years. The club have a lot of potential, however, we need more players.”

Worcestershire Black Knights train at Diglis Basin on a Wednesday from 7.30pm to 9pm, and on a Sunday morning from 10am until noon.

Watten said: “American football it not as simple a game as some people think because it’s quite a complex game. A lot of people think it’s a game of rugby with helmets and pads however it’s more like a tough game of chess.

"Unlike most sports, it doesn't matter what shape or size you are, there will be a job that you can do within the team.”

For more details about the team, call coach Colin Branagh on 07775 668228 or e-mail him at worcestershireamericanfootball@gmail.com

More details on the club are available from: www.worcestershireblackknights.co.uk