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The Cats were recently afforded the opportunity of sending 2 individuals over to the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, USA to compete in a semi-professional game, using NFL rules against the extremely proud Hawaiian Warriors. The game took place under floodlights in the ‘Honolulu Bowl’ at Moanalua High School, and Luton born player Gary Culleton represented a very talented All-Star team from Mainland USA. Training was undertaken in Queen Kapiolani Park adjacent to Waikiki Beach with the stunningly attractive backdrop of ‘Diamond Head’ an extinct Volcano.
The picturesque backdrop for training. |
Gary joined Minor League Hall of Famer, Cambridgeshire Cats Head Coach Bob Shaw, who was featuring in his fourth game in the states having previously coached in Utah, Nevada and Ohio.
The game was played on the eve of the ‘NFL Pro Bowl’ and featured players and coaches who had been involved in the NFL, the former NFL Europe, the CFL, Arena Football and premier College teams across the length and breadth of America.
Coach Shaw (L) and Cullerton (R) talking tactics with Linebacker Mark Buford |
Culleton helped the Mainland All-Stars eventually run out 21-14 winners in a fiercely contested game, and was clearly impressed by the event: “It was an unforgettable experience to play with and against such high quality athletes, to be coached by people with such a depth of knowledge and spend time in surroundings of such beauty.
Our team were so welcoming; I was made to feel at home from the first minute. Each session was properly scripted and the whole set up was professionally run. I will always remember the friends I made in Hawaii and am grateful to Coach Shaw and the All-Stars Head Coach Kratochvil for giving me the opportunity to meet so many great people and play football in paradise, all of which has given me fantastic memories”.
The mainland All-Stars pose victorious. |
Edgware born Coach Bob Shaw stated that “Gary has for many seasons offered great service to me in my coaching capacity and his selection is just reward for years of dedication to the sport. I look forward to once again coaching Gary as one of my offensive linemen; this season in Division One of the British American Football League. This goes to show that the rewards are out there for those who make this kind of commitment to American Football in the UK.”
The Cats training schedule is building as the pre-season gets into full swing with scrimmage matches and training camp to be announced in the near future, to get involved feel free to visit our weekly practice sessions at Cats Field, Coldhams Common Cambridge, every Sunday from 1200.
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