Last weekend saw the Sussex Thunder host their annual Combine, this time with special event organiser Global Gridiron Scouting Limited, a specialist scouting company aiming to place college, Semi Professional and Professional players around the world. With this global stretch the event was attended by players across Europe.

Alongside the many veteran players, who clearly had been working hard during the off season there were some very exciting new prospective players really showing their skills, putting up some great numbers.

With strength and speed checked off, its onwards to the Rookie Day which is to be held Sunday 5^th of February 2012 at Surrenden Field, Brighton from 1030 until 1400. This session is open to all players regardless of experience, for further details contact recruitment@sussexthunder.com.

The Sussex Thunder are proud to announce the training schedule for the 2012 Season

Training will resume on Sunday 5th of February. Timing for the session are 10am until 1pm and then every Sunday from then on.

Sessions will be open to all players aged 14-19, for further details please contact Wes or Shaun – youth.coaches@sussexthunder.com

Tom Wort Suited Up

After a busy off season Sussex Thunder returned to practice this weekend. Amidst the flurry of players returning was a very special attendee, Tom Wort of the Oklahoma Sooners – fresh from his win against Iowa State in the Insight Bowl.

Tom is a Sussex native. His roots are in the outskirts of Crawley. Having moved to the States in his early teens, Tom has made a massive impact on and off the field. Playing his High School football at New Braunfels, Texas he was quickly scooped up by Oklahoma University to become a member of their overpowering line backing core. Tom has always embraced his British roots, having 2 patriotic tattoos and widely publicised his heritage.

Thunder welcomed Tom’s attendance and quickly suited him up. After warm ups, on what was a very frosty morning, they began some footwork, blocking & hitting drills, followed by a full contact scrimmage. Tom showed his fantastic awareness and lightning reactions, picking up a handful of solo tackles and two interceptions.

The day was a great success for the Thunder, creating what will be a strong bond with one of British Footballs finest athletes. In attendance was a team from Sky Sports TV to record a segment on the session for their upcoming coverage of the NFL Conference Championship games.

Tom left a lasting impression on many players, a true inspiration for Britball players.  Thunder would like to thank Tom for joining them and wish him all the best of luck in his coming season.

Tom left the following message for the Thunder.

Whether you are a player, a family member or just know someone involved with the team we now have a great way to help us raise the funds that wont cost you a penny, and could even save you cash!!

Thunder have partnered with EasyFundraising.org.uk – a massive shopping directory cram packed with deals. Just use this link and Sussex thunder will receive a donation op up to 15% at no cost to you!

http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/sussexthunderafc

Shops include – Sainsburys, HMV, Sky Dell, JJB, JD Sports, Play.com and many more! Its completely FREE to register and you will never pay a penny more for your shopping if you use the easyfundraising. So if you shopping online this Christmas why not help support your team at the same time.

All you needs to do is:

1) Register with EasyFundraising.org.uk – HERE

2) Login to your account (so it knows you’re supporting the Thunder)

3) Choose the shop you want from the links provided

Once you purchase the shop will make a donation to us. However, you MUST remember to login through EasyFundraising before you start shopping otherwise we won’t get the donation. Feel free to pass this on to family and friends, we’ll get donations from everything they buy.

Free Ways to support the Team –

• Web Search – When ever you search online you can support, the average web user can raise upto £25! Just use this link – http://sussexthunderafc.easysearch.org.uk/
• MakeItCheaper – Save money on your gas / electricity bill and raise £12 for the Thunder
• eBay – Open and Account and bid on something and Raise £4.50 for the Thunder
• Graze – Free yummy grub and money for the club

All the free offers can be seen HERE –  just don’t forget to sign up before clicking on the deals.

Thank you for showing your support!

Due to a re-structure of the league, the Thunder will re-open some old rivalries and face some new opponents in 2012. The Thunder will remain in Division 1 after declining an invitation to return to the Premiership.

The team will play in the Southern Conference and the full line up will be

• Sussex Thunder
• East Kent Mavericks
• Hampshire Thrashers
• Essex Spartans
• Berkshire Renegades
• Kent Exiles
• Cambridgeshire Cats
• South Wales Warriors

The season will consist of 10 regular season games, meeting 3 teams twice and the others once apiece.

The season will bring a first ever meeting against the Renegades and only the second ever match-up with the Warriors, last years division 2 winners. Thunder fans will be looking forward to a re- igniting of our old rivalry with the Kent Exiles, who we haven’t met since 2008 when we won at their ground to take the conference title and knock them out of the play-off picture. Another old enemy on the list is the Essex Spartans, previous meetings go right back to the old B-52′s days.

The Northern section consists of

• West Coast Trojans
• Lancashire Wolverines
• Merseyside Nighthawks
• Nottingham Caesars
• Gateshead Senators
• Coventry Jets
• Shropshire Revolution

The Thunder had been invited by the BAFA National League’s management to rejoin the Premier division for next season, but partly due to the decision to have a two conference top division, which would have left the club in what was basically the old Premiership and that the club is still in a re-building phase, the Thunder committee decided to reluctantly decline and stay in division 1 for another year.

The Thunder begin their pre-season preperation’s on Sunday 22^nd January at their normal practice venue of Surrenden Field, London Road, Brighton.