CHORLEY Buccaneers American Football Club are celebrating a successful 2018 so far, at every level of the club.

From the Under 12s to the adult teams, the players have developed hard-working habits and a winning mentality.

The U12s Redbeards went through the entire season unbeaten to guarantee a place in the National Finals in September, after finishing 9-0 at the end of June’s Manchester tournament.

The U12s Blackbeards have also impressed and show real potential.

The U17s Flag team have also reached the National Finals, against the odds having started the season with only four players with experience in American Football, and four who had made the step up from the U12s.

The U17s Kitted team has also reached the National Finals, taking place this month, having avoided defeat all season and finished the regular tournaments 12-0 to be crowned Northern Champions.

The U19s have competed well in Division 2 this term, while success for the adult flag and ladies flag teams can be measured by continuous growth in numbers, while the ladies’ team finished seventh in the country last season.

Of the U12s’ success, coach Dan McDermott said: “It has been a great year so far for the Under 12s.

“We are lucky to have a brilliant group of players in many ways. They are great friends as well as gifted players on the pitch.

“They have super attitudes, which means training is always fun and they are enjoyable players to coach.

“We have two teams in the age group but they are very much one squad with a good team spirit.

“The Blackbeards have been playing some great football so far this year.

“Tough match-ups for them against older players at Burnley and Manchester has brought out the best in them and they have competed in the spirit of true Buccaneers.

“They simply do not accept when the odds are against them and play 100 per cent no matter what the score.

“Sam Collier and Jonathon Waugh have led the team with passion and commitment and it has run through to the rest of the team.

“The players were desperately unlucky not to pick up their first league win of the year at T3 in Manchester, where they drew versus a talented Burnley side. However, they now carry great momentum into the final tournament of the year at home.

“The Redbeards have so far been undefeated in 2018, and have played with passion all year. Their success this season is a reflection on all 10 members of the squad, who have developed well from last year.

“They currently hold the number one ranking in the country, as they head to national finals.

“In a year with many highlights, it was particularly pleasing for the group not to concede a point throughout an entire tournament in Manchester at T3, and equally pleasing to see four different players throw touchdown passes in one single game at T2.

“It has been frustrating in terms of the small conference we have been placed in this year and the players are itching to play some new teams.”

The U17s Flag team had only four players with any previous Flag experience when pre-season began, while four others had been playing U12s last year. The rest of the squad was made up of complete rookie players, mostly aged between 13 and 14, trying to compete with several strong squads with an older average age.

But despite their inexperience they earned a place in the National Finals.

U17s head coach Keith Schofield said: “It was a long shot before the season started. Our U17 Flag team has over-achieved this year.

“Our two co-ordinators, Luke and Arron, have done a great job getting the squad to be competitive. We’ve improved throughout the season, and the players have worked hard to get better.

“I’m proud of the group as a whole, and how they’ve improved, and we’re looking forward to Finals day in September.”

Of an unbeaten U17s Kitted team, head coach Tom Salerno said: “Coming into the season we felt confident about what we could do.

“We kept the majority of our players after finishing last season on a high note, and got a big influx of talent from our flag teams.

“Once we finally got to the games that feeling of confidence only grew, as we got off to a flying start in T1. The fact that the winning didn’t stop was amazing, it’s a huge achievement to go undefeated and be one of the top seeds heading into the final.

“Despite having our fair share of comfortable victories, I’m most proud of how the team dealt with adversity.

“Whenever things got tough was when we played our best football, with our home game against Manchester coming to mind immediately. Hopefully that strong will and character will take us far in the finals.”

Offense coach Alex Challands said: “I am proud of every player, for all the effort and commitment throughout the season, and their hard work has paid off. They deserve to be going to these finals, it will be a nice reward.

“Each player has proven something this season both individually and as a part of the team and they should all be glad to be in this position.

“This season has been a joy to coach, and watching the players develop over the season has been very enjoyable. I just hope they have relished this as much as I have.”

Anyone wishing to join any of the Bucs teams should contact the club via their website or through their media pages.