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

Saturday 27 August 2011

Newquay Leisure Centre

Score:  20 – 6

This game was played as a flag game as the Spartans had only just got their kit.  As with the previous game, the Thunder offense went junkyard.  Holding the Spartans with some blocked passes, the Thunder scored on a pass to Jacob Hexstall who also caught the 2 point conversion.  The young Spartan QB threw some nice passes but failed to get a couple of first downs.  The Thunder then scored on a Ciaran Hill reception that split the Spartan defense and went in from 20 yards.  The Spartans then got into gear and with a couple of good runs and completions ran in a touch down of their own, much to the home crowd’s pleasure.  The final score was a Thunder pass from Ben Kelly to Ciaran Hill, a full length pass of 40 yards to the back of the end zone to make the score 20 – 6.

The Spartans rotated all their squad in and played well and are a team to watch for the future.  Again, a game played in good spirits and enthusiasm by both sides and thanks is given to all concerned.

Saturday 27 August 2011

Newquay Leisure Centre

Score:  12 – 6

After a 5 hour drive, the Sussex Thunder arrived for a game against the Cornwall JV Sharks.  This was the first kitted youth game in Cornwall and a small but lively crowd had gathered.  On the first series the Thunder held the Shark Offense and the first Thunder offensive play made good yardage.  On the second play the Thunder QB severely sprained his ankle which suddenly limited the offense.  Both sides then traded offenses until the injury to the Thunder QB became unbearable and George Evans, against his will, was taken off.

The Thunder offense then drove with a junkyard playbook and successfully scored on short pass play to Ciaran Hill.  The Sharks then got their running game together and after a couple of missed tackles, drove the Thunder 7 yard line where they scored on a short pass play to tie the game at half time.

The second half was an improvised playbook for the Thunder.  The Sharks got some good momentum but failed to bring in some passes that left them failing to get first downs.  The Thunder offense then got their own momentum and marched the ball to the Sharks 6 yard line.  A Thunder time out was called and a play drawn into the turf.  This play keyed the run ready defense and the play action pass was completed to Nick Spalding in the end zone for a 12 – 6 lead.

It was then down to the Shark offense with 2 minutes remaining to drive the ball.  The Thunder offense then held them to 10 yards and on the important fourth down the sharks, unfortunately, fumbled giving the ball to the Thunder offense who then took a knee to win the game 12 – 6.

It was a great game played in a great spirit by both sides.  Any time wanting a good match should make this journey and have a good day’s football.  Both teams are new to the game this year and should be proud of their achievements.  In the light of day it was just a good day for UK football.  I would like to thank all concerned including Coach Smallworth and Coach Brookes for a great event.

Thunder Youth will be running sessions throughout the off season. The dates are as follows -

• Sunday October 16th – 1PM -4PM
• Sunday November 6th – 1PM -4PM
• Sunday November 20th – 1PM -4PM
• Sunday December 4th – 1PM -4PM

All sessions will be held at Surrenden Field – Brighton (See here for details). Sessions are open to everyone and free to attend. Please bring water and appropriate footwear. Light and weather permitting

Sussex Thunder Youth 28 – Hampshire Thrashers Youth 27
Sunday 21 August 2011
Winchester Rugby Club

A game played with an air of expectation as both sides were competing for the first time. Hampshire elected to play offense first and the Thunder defence held them in their first 4 downs causing a fumble and handing the ball back to the Thunder offense. The Thunder then proceeded to march down the field off the back of Ben Kelly’s good running ending in a touchdown pass to Ciaran Hill. Thrashers then equalised with some good running of their own but their extra 2 point conversion was intercepted and ran back for 2 points.
Both sides traded touchdowns as both offenses dominated until the last minute with the Thunder one point down. The Thunder defence then pushed the Thrashers offense back to their 2 yard line and on the next play picked up a safety on a mistake by the Thrashers offense. This allowed the Thunder offense to run down the last minute of the clock and win the game 28 – 27.
It was a game played in good spirit and with excellent sportsmanship. After the game, Thunder Head Coach Wesley Peppiat said: “I wish to publically thank the coaches of Hampshire and Watford who made this game possible and fostered the spirit in which it was played. All Thunder players contributed to the win and now realise the difference between practice and actual game time.” This result has helped the team to pull together and everyone is eager for next week’s game in Cornwall.

Coach Peppiatt
Head Coach – Sussex Thunder youth

Sussex Thunder Youth AFC are now training at Surrenden Field, Withdean, Brighton along side the Senior squad. Practice is every Sunday from 10am until 1pm. For more details contact Steve youth@sussexthunder.com

Sussex Thunder is holding their first practice of the year for the Youth and Junior team (14-19yrs old)

This is an open session, all levels of players welcome.

Please meet at 09:45am at Surrenden Field (near the traffic lights), The Field on the A23 by the Traffic lights down the hill from Withdean Stadium.

So we are ready to start promptly at 10:00am

You will need:

Studded boots
Clothing suitable for training outdoors
Water

The Sussex Thunder are thrilled to be able to announce that Wesley Peppiat has been selected to take the role of the Youth Team Head Coach for the 2011 season.

Coach Peppiat, a Sussex resident, is well respected in the Britball community and comes with both a wealth of playing and coaching experience, having played in the London area in the 90′s and coached youth and junior football for several years. A highlight of this career includes taking the Heathrow Jets to the Bowl game back in the early 90’s.  His return to the Britball fraternity is a welcome addition to Coach Tony Stitt’s programme, and the club is very excited to have him on board.

Club Chairman Tony Miller commented “We are very lucky to have someone like Coach Peppiatt at the Club.  His enthusiasm to drive the Youth and Junior Sections knows no bounds, and the kids are very lucky to have someone like him leading them to their first kitted season”

Coach Peppiat was equally optimistic and encouraging, replying “I am very much looking forward to meeting the players and Coaches soon and starting the preparations for the 2011 season.  It’s going to be tough, but with the right commitment from everyone involved, we will be successful”

Coach Peppiat will be responsible for leading and developing the Youth and Junior programmes at Sussex and will begin at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre this coming Sunday, 19^th December, for the annual combine.  

The youth and junior coaching staff is taking shape and it hopes to be a good year for Youth football in Sussex.  Coach Steve Leveridge, the youth team’s interim head coach, will remain with the programme, taking a coaching role under Coach Peppiat. He will also continue as Youth team general manager, carrying on the excellent work he has put in for player recruitment and club development in the off season. 

If anyone wishes to join Coach Peppiat as either a player or coach, please contact the club at recruitment@sussexthunder.com