Category: Gridiron Football

January 14, 2022October 29, 2023

American Football Association of Ireland Festivals & Friendlies 1989

Standings

AFAI American Football Association of Ireland Festivals & Friendlies 1989

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	Streak
1	Dublin Tornadoes	1	0	1.000	W1
2	Bray Seahawks	0	1	0.000	L1
2	Craigavon Cowboys	0	0	0.000	0
2	NI Giants	0	0	0.000	0

Note: Standings Calculated Automatically from Results – No Official Standings were kept by the AFAI for Festivals and Friendlies in 1989.

Schedule

AFAI American Football Association of Ireland Festivals & Friendlies 1989


Match Day Cavan Lakes & Vales Festival
August 19, 1989 (Cavan Lakes & Vales Festival) 8:42 am N/A Craigavon Cowboys vs Belfast Giants
Match Day Week 2
September 30, 1989 (Week 2) Win - Loss N/A Dublin Tornadoes vs Bray Seahawks

Note: Date when Bray Seahawks lost to Dublin Tornadoes not known – an approximation is given above.

Recap

In American Football Association of Ireland Festivals and Friendlies 1989, Bray Seahawks played the only known match the team from Co. Wicklow ever played, losing to Dublin Tornadoes, who had taken a year out from the Combined Gridiron League Irish Conference season [2]. In another game scheduled for Breffni Park in Cavan as part of the Lakes and Vales Festival Craigavon Cowboys were due to meet Belfast Giants [1].

Map of Ireland (2022 Counties, Districts and Boroughs) Showing AFAI Festivals and Friendlies Team Locations and Logos

Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski superimposed with Labeled Color Map of Districts of Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Copyright: lara2016 [1989 AFAI Team Logos added by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie [27]

MAP REFERENCES

[27] Vector — Labeled Color Map of Districts of Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Copyright: lara2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_144615978_labeled-color-map-of-districts-of-northern-ireland-united-kingdom.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-21 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Superimposed on Vector — Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_51580818_map-of-ireland-administrative-divisions-on-counties-level.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-1 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Combined with 1987 Irish American Football Team Logos by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie [14 January 2022]

REFERENCES:

[1] Anon. (1989) “American Football featured at Cavan Festival | Picture Caption” Anglo-Celt. Thursday, July 27, 1989. pg. 24.

[4] Anon. (1989) “Bray has its own American football team” Wicklow People. Friday, November 31, 1989.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Tim Leadingham (Tallaght Outlaws).

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Prepared and maintained by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: `14 January 2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

January 13, 2022October 29, 2023

Combined Gridiron League Irish Conference Preseason Results and Match Reports 1989

Preseason Standings

CGL Combined Gridiron League Duke Premier Division Irish Conference Preseason 1989

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	Dublin Celts	1	0	1.000	25	0	25	W1
2	Belfast EC Spartans	0	0	0.000	0	0	0	0
2	East Antrim Cougars	0	0	0.000	0	0	0	0
4	Craigavon Cowboys	0	1	0.000	0	20	-20	L1

CGL Combined Gridirons League Baron First Division Irish Conference Preseason 1989

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	Antrim Bulldogs	1	1	0.500	20	25	-5	L1
2	Coleraine Chieftains	0	0	0.000	0	0	0	0
2	Dublin Tornadoes	0	0	0.000	0	0	0	0
2	NI Giants	0	0	0.000	0	0	0	0

Schedule

CGL Combined Gridiron League Irish Conference Preseason 1989


January 29, 1989 (Preseason Week 1) 20 - 0 N/A Antrim Bulldogs vs Craigavon Cowboys
April 16, 1989 (Preseason Week 2) 6:30 pm N/A Belfast spartans vs Craigavon Cowboys
April 23, 1989 (Preseason Week 2) 25 - 0 N/A Dublin Celts vs Antrim Bulldogs

Recap

In a series of preseason games in 1989, Antrim Bulldogs defeated Craigavon Cowboys 20-0 in late January, becoming only the third Irish team to defeat the Cowboys ever [1-2]. The Cowboys were then due to face the EC (Belfast) Spartans in Ballynahinch on April 16 [4], before the Dublin Celts triumphed 25-0 versus the Antrim Bulldogs the following week [3].

Map of Ireland (2022 Counties, Districts and Boroughs) Showing CGL Preseason Team Locations 1989

Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lara2016 Superimposed on Vector — Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski Showing 1989 CGL Preseason Team Logos and Locations superimposed by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie [13 January 1989]

MAP REFERENCES

[27] Vector — Labeled Color Map of Districts of Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Copyright: lara2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_144615978_labeled-color-map-of-districts-of-northern-ireland-united-kingdom.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-21 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Superimposed on Vector — Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_51580818_map-of-ireland-administrative-divisions-on-counties-level.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-1 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Combined with 1989 Irish American Football Team Logos by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie [13 January 2022]

REFERENCE

SOURCES / NEWSPAPERS

[1] Anon. (1989) “Irish teams gear up to new season” American Football News 9 February 1989. pg. 19

[2] Anon. (1989) “Bulldogs win 20-0” Belfast Telegraph. 30 January 1989. pg. 17.

[3] Britball Now (2016) Historical Results [1989][Friendlies] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 12 January 2020]#

[4] Jonathan Traynor (1989) “American football with a gospel theme” Sunday Life. April 15, 1989. pg. 49.

LOGO REFERENCES

[5] Dublin Celts American Football Team Facebook Page (2016) Photo by Joseph Greene August 28, 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1421158977901127&set=gm.269427200117075&type=3&theater&ifg=1 [Accessed 3 July 2018]

[6] Coleraine Chieftans (2002) Coleraine Chieftans: Chief Image [Internet] Available from: http://www.thecolerainechieftans.freeservers.com/images/chief.gif [Accessed 18 July 2018]

[7] Craigavon Cowboys – Twitter Account (2018) Profile Picture [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/864100166680424448/TCauLbnj_400x400.jpg [Accessed 22 July 2018]

[8] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2021) Post to Page by Belfast Blitzers, 5 February 2021: [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/146339398_3535274803250316_484236705150193506_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=2&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=APIfzLRulaMAX9g3LLc&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=72bcf54f0435a9ab26cd035a8d2cf7c7&oe=604502C2 [Accessed 5 February 2021]

[9] Dublin Tornadoes (1995) Timmy Tornado Logo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19961115063729im_/http://fiachra.ucd.ie:80/~alan/Icons/American/timmy.gif [Accessed 3 July 2018]

[10] Trinity Bowl 1992 Trinity 400 American Football Match Poster

[11] Dublin Tornadoes Football Helmet – Authors’ Personal Collection – Purchased at http://www.417helmets.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to John Malone, Declan Mulvey & John O’Reilly

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 13 January 2022

January 13, 2022October 29, 2023

American Football Association of Ireland Festivals and Friendlies 1988

Festivals & Friendlies Standings

AFAI American Football Association of Ireland Festivals & Friendlies 1988

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	Dublin Tornadoes	1	0	1.000	46	0	46	W1
2	Belfast Blitzers	1	0	1.000	39	2	37	W1
3	Belfast Spartans	1	0	1.000	22	8	14	W1
4	Coleraine Chieftains	0	0	0.000	0	0	0	0
5	Antrim Bulldogs	0	3	0.000	10	107	-97	L3

Note: Standings Calculated automatically from results – Official Standings not kept.

Schedule

AFAI American Football Association of Ireland Friendlies 1988


Match Day Festival Week 1
May 15, 1988 (Festival Week 1) 39 - 2 N/A Belfast Blitzers vs Antrim Bulldogs
Match Day Festival Week 2
June 1, 1988 (Festival Week 2) 46 - 0 N/A Dublin Tornadoes vs Antrim Bulldogs
Match Day Newtownards Tournament
October 2, 1988 (Newtownards Tournament) 12:00 am N/A Coleraine Chieftains vs Belfast Spartans
Match Day Newtownards Tournament Final
October 2, 1988 (Newtownards Tournament Final) 12:00 am N/A Antrim Bulldogs vs Coleraine Chieftains
Match Day Festival Week 3
July 17, 1988 (Festival Week 3) 22 - 8 N/A Belfast Spartans vs Antrim Bulldogs
Match Day Week 4 - Birr Vintage Festival
August 13, 1988 (Week 4 - Birr Vintage Festival) 2:30 pm N/A Antrim Bulldogs vs Dublin Tornadoes
Match Day Newtownards Tournament
October 2, 1988 (Newtownards Tournament) 12:00 am N/A Antrim Bulldogs vs Belfast Spartans

Note: Date of Dublin Tornadoes 46 Antrim Bulldogs 0 not known – 1 June 1988 an approximation only.

Map of Ireland (2022 Counties, Boroughs and Districts) Showing AFAI Festivals & Friendlies Teams 1988

Recap

While preparing to enter the Irish American Football League in 1989 the Antrim Bulldogs (also known as the A26 Bulldogs) played a series of Friendly and Exhibition matches against other AFAI teams in 1988. During May they lost 39-2 to Belfast Blitzers, then 46-0 to Dublin Tornadoes, 22-8 in July versus Labatt Spartans from Belfast before they were due to play Dublin Tornadoes again at the Birr Vintage Festival in Co. Offaly. The Festival season finished up at Newtownards where Antrim Bulldogs and Coleraine Chieftainsv served up a cracker of a Final at a Tournament sponsored by Labatts Brewery that also included Labatt Spartans (Belfast).

References

Map References

[27] Vector — Labeled Color Map of Districts of Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Copyright: lara2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_144615978_labeled-color-map-of-districts-of-northern-ireland-united-kingdom.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-21 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Superimposed on Vector — Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_51580818_map-of-ireland-administrative-divisions-on-counties-level.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-1 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Combined with 1988 Irish American Football Team Logos by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie [13 January 2022]

SOURCES:

[1] Anon. (1988) “Birr Vintage Festival” Nenagh Guardian. Saturday, August 13, 1988. pg. 15. Available on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper Archive: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 17 July 2019]

[2] Trevor Dickson (1988) “BRUTE FORCE – Picture Special by Trevor Dickson” Belfast Newsletter. October 3, 1988. pg. 9. Available on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper Archive: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 28 April 2023]

[3] Britball Now (2016) Historical Results [1988][Friendlies] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 12 January 2020][Actual Reference at: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britballnow.co.uk%2FHistory%2FResults%2F1988results.xls&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK ][Accessed 13 January 2022]

[4] Anon. (1988) Antrim fall Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, May 17, 1988, pg. 17 [Internet] Original Article Available from: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 13 January 2022]

[4] Belfast Blitzers Facebook (2021) Bellfast Blitzers Reply to Post by Enda Mulcahy [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/3499692260141904?comment_id=3500244570086673&reply_comment_id=3501824573262006&notif_id=1611255704041574&notif_t=feed_comment&ref=notif [Accessed 22 January 2021]

Logo References

[5] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2019) Post, August 12, 2019 at 1:31 PM [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940?notif_id=1565921781157641&notif_t=comment_mention [Accessed 17 August 2019]

[6] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2021) Post to Page by Belfast Blitzers, 5 February 2021: [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/146339398_3535274803250316_484236705150193506_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=2&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=APIfzLRulaMAX9g3LLc&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=72bcf54f0435a9ab26cd035a8d2cf7c7&oe=604502C2 [Accessed 5 February 2021]

[7] Dublin Tornadoes (1995) Timmy Tornado Logo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19961115063729im_/http://fiachra.ucd.ie:80/~alan/Icons/American/timmy.gif [Accessed 3 July 2018]

[8] Trinity Bowl 1992 Trinity 400 American Football Match Poster

[11] Dublin Tornadoes Football Helmet – Authors’ Personal Collection – Purchased at http://www.417helmets.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Prepared and maintained by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 29 April 2023

January 9, 2022October 29, 2023

FAM Fútbol Americano de México 2022

Fútbol Americano de México FAM-YOX 2021 Logo / References: [1]

Standings

FAM Fútbol Americano de México 2022

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	Parrilleros Monterrey	6	2	0.750	239	135	104	L1
2	Rojos CDMX	6	2	0.750	257	172	85	W2
3	Marlins Los Cabos	6	2	0.750	236	219	17	L1
4	Caudillos Chihuahua	5	3	0.625	296	155	141	L1
5	Tequileros Jalisco	5	3	0.625	171	173	-2	W1
6	Jefes de Ciudad Juarez	3	5	0.375	151	135	16	W2
7	Pioneros Querétaro	3	5	0.375	164	200	-36	L1
8	Bulldogs EdoMex	1	7	0.125	121	264	-143	L2
9	Tiburones Cancún	1	7	0.125	98	280	-182	L6

References: [4]

Playoff Schedule

FAM Fútbol Americano de México FAM-YOX Playoffs 2022


Match Day Semi-Finals
July 3, 2022 (Semi-Finals) 40 - 0 N/A Rojos CDMX vs Marlins Los Cabos
July 3, 2022 (Semi-Finals) 27 - 23 N/A Parrilleros Monterrey vs Caudillos Chihuahua
Match Day Silver Bowl (Balon de Plata)
July 16, 2022 (Silver Bowl (Balon de Plata)) 14 - 21 N/A Parrilleros Monterrey vs Rojos CDMX

References: [2]

Season and Playoffs Report

Regular Season Report (29 April – 26 June 2022)

In an extremely competitive 2022 Fútbol Americano de México FAM-YOX regular season five teams finished within a game of the league champions: Rojos CDMX, Parrilleros Monterrey and Marlins Los Cabos all finished on 6-2 and Caudillos Chihuahua and Tequileros Jalisco both finishing on 5-3. With only four teams making the playoffs Tequileros Jalisco were the unlucky one of the five. Pioneros Queretaro and Jefes Ciudad Juarez both finished 3-5 and Bulldogs EdoMex and Tiburones Cancun both finished 1-7. [References: 2-4]

Playoffs Report (3-16 July 2022)

Rojos CDMX advanced to the Silver Bowl (Balon de Plata) with a superlative 40-0 defeat of Marlins Los Cabos while Parrilleros de Monterrey had a close 27-23 win over Caudillos Chihuahua to meet Rojos in the Silver Bowl. The Silver Bowl itself, played two weeks later was also a close game with one touchdown separating the teams in the end as Rojos CDMX won 21-14 versus Parrilleros Monterrey. [References: 3]

Promotion / Relegation

After the season, Rojos CDMX, Caudillos Chihuahua and Jefes Ciudad Juarez were all admitted to the Liga de Futbol Americano Mexico, the premier league of American Football in Mexico. On 30 September 2022 the league announced it was suspending operations for 2023.

About the 2022 FAM Fútbol Americano de México Season

After a year out due to Covid-19, the Mexican American Football Professional 2nd Level has announced its teams for 2022 – 2019 FAM Champions Pioneros Queretaro make a return to the league after spending one season (2020) in LFA Liga de Futbol Americano (1st Level). Returning teams from 2020 include Tequileros Jalisco, Bulldogs EdoMex (who play in Naucalpan, home city of the Irish Institute in Mexico), Rojos CDMX (all played in the Division Voit – essentially the Central Division – in 2020), Caudillos Chihuahua and Marlins Los Cabos (both played in Division BWW – essentially the North Division – in 2020). Ciudad Juarez have a new team for 2022 with Raramuris replacing Centauros. Meanwhile the one totally new team is Tiburones Cancún, situated in the South East on the Caribbean Coast.

Mexico Map Showing Location of 2022 Teams

Mexico map and flag – highly detailed vector illustration – FAM Futbol Americano Mexico Team Logos added by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie

[13] 123RF (2022) Mexico map and flag – highly detailed vector illustration Image ID: 78267524 Copyright: dikobrazik [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_78267524_mexico-map-and-flag-highly-detailed-vector-illustration.html?vti=o7a7x8rghuckf7jo01-1-64 [Accessed 9 January 2022]

References

Logo References

[1] Fútbol Americano de México FAM-YOX Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, October 1, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/SoyFAM/photos/a.313791665810924/1157981154725300 [Accessed 9 January 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/243975476_1157981144725301_5976282175303498072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=Qo2I_JmgLisAX-wjLcn&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT9X_t19zyJk6wUoUmYC93whP-3WobSQbR0yC7PEG02N8A&oe=61E0F1DC ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

Schedule References

[2] Fútbol Americano de México FAM-YOX (2022) Rol de Juegos [Internet] Available from: https://ligafam.mx/rol-de-juegos/ [Accessed 20 October 2022]

[3] Futbol Americano de Mexico FAM-YOX Facebook (2022) Photo, July 11, 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/SoyFAM/photos/a.344573676066056/1343102609546486/ [Accessed 20 October 2022][Actual Photo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/293145749_1343102606213153_6500144104005262343_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e3f864&_nc_ohc=bpbnmKteC9QAX9LAUCt&_nc_oc=AQnJePuVAAQqRaRhxkvKGE8dOuVDs9e3FlwpcDA7xxAquNsFqepaFfQAXm6ox1yWPfU5Q8AM7F0wp0RtGHrzh8F9&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT-yslySBYkqkMU5h6SuDdl3ZtVZT8diJpV2rexJ9Yt9lg&oe=635764A9 ][Accessed 20 October 2022]

[3A] Soy-FAM Instagram (2021) Tweet, December 17, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXlxrVwMBdu/ [Accessed 9 January 2022]

[3B] Soy-FAM Instagram (2021) Tweet, December 15, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXhLjm-Fdwc/ [Accessed 9 January 2022]

Standings References

[4] Fútbol Americano de México FAM-YOX (2022) Tabla General [Internet] Available from: https://ligafam.mx/table/tabla-general-fam-yox-2022/ [Accessed 9 January 2022][Last Accessed 20 October 2022]

Team Logos References

[5] Bulldogs FAM Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, September 29, 2018 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/BulldgosFAM/photos/a.341802449697833/345447915999953/ [Accessed 9 January 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/42867087_345447922666619_2807588158248583168_n.png?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=CxmnBGOHsl4AX_C8vCt&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT_tiE-J3J7s33yImMznWCP7PUMR35HKliFyKtKiQFko0Q&oe=61FFC6AC ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[6] Caudillos Profootball Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, May 24, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CaudillosChihuahua/photos/a.110937056909345/488969399106107/ [Accessed 9 January 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/191271286_488969402439440_5646880913696692590_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=v9qXsFFSWHkAX-I_Vn0&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT9-Xkt5Ptlkmoqt8cRNpRKMp-L-da2I36fjDuvzVfoeqQ&oe=6200D918 ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[7] Marlins Los Cabos Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, November 30, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/marlinsloscabospro/photos/a.113455850056540/764910724911046/ [Accessed 9 January 2022][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/258768017_764910718244380_5785321910681526315_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=ntc26ZdR9a0AX86fyZC&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT9X7zd16MejmgakcTz1srDWprFjPL1x-NvHK0CvZ57GAw&oe=61DF729A ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[8] Pioneros de Queretaro Facebook (2019) Profile Picture, March 13, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/PionerosQueretaro/photos/a.312818059325778/356245418316375 [Accessed 22 November 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/53921531_356245421649708_1781715436979617792_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=174925&_nc_ohc=Dn0vvddghZ8AX-9UYuM&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=1ba917a778991792f7ce39c7764ddb48&oe=61BF9309 ][Accessed 22 November 2021]

[9] Raramuris Pro Football Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, November 23, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=290832646380986&set=a.126222399508679 [Accessed 9 January 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/253213500_290832643047653_812853683359621004_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=jWDioG3u84gAX-7MiOn&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT-JC_2hms2ttsrdpMbj-SMVCNrOF0TXhb4BYH5yCO8Obw&oe=61E02FF7 ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[10] Rojos CDMX Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, January 18, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/RojosCDMX1/photos/a.102909838308570/140459801220240 [Accessed 9 January 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/140020586_140459804553573_6584903847032002314_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=174925&_nc_ohc=P2f6npqWxmsAX8IS8IX&tn=7uF7rGUPgPXI7zGG&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT-SXAAnXSbQUTswh16pDKRz3U1dVj7L2qGFAgYOf4254Q&oe=620074D6 ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[11] Tequileros Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, October 11, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/TequilerosFam/photos/a.958706434338670/1160402594169052/ [Accessed 9 January 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/72543276_1160402597502385_878079860071727104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=n4K2q_RHTUwAX-NqlWY&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT-9Jzem4aBKuSrJxSTPAC7XgfnzPSmqQoGcUemxpmqyeQ&oe=6200F5C7 ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[12] Tiburones Cancún Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, November 23, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=334163385353529&set=a.132529012183635 [Accessed 9 January 2021][Actual Logo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/268864058_334163382020196_4578828546919654486_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_rgb565=1&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=Sy0fI9vIpfsAX8-q0Zn&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT8fwyxCHDrkxKaX9jLJEQWU3iII3GQadJtXsh51CRArEA&oe=61DFE18B ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[13] Futbol Americano de Mexico FAM-YOX Facebook (2022) Photo, June 27, 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/SoyFAM/photos/a.402599810263442/1332776060579141/ [Accessed 20 October 2022][Actual Photo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/290377190_1332776053912475_6593636309953832551_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=AiSP6eUxeIQAX9h44gc&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT-7vYl09eP3Z_KCg8rwVRZZE4cg3_5xFU1Nf4qP5HKwEQ&oe=635722D2 ][Accessed 20 October 2022]

[14] Futbol Americano de Mexico FAM-YOX Facebook (2022) Photo, July 3, 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/SoyFAM/photos/a.402599810263442/1337448313445249/ [Accessed 20 October 2022][Actual Photo Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/292169454_1337448306778583_127101066979287101_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=XMcg1y-sCcwAX89NJN4&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT-iM4qUoFAGI0OftJyArHzucLRMBDq8LmEZm3LmLH1q1Q&oe=635754CD ][Accessed 20 October 2022]

Communication References

[15] Fútbol Americano de México FAM-YOX (2022) Photo, 30 September 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/SoyFAM/photos/a.466047063918716/1398959447294135 [Accessed 20 October 2022]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Caroline Mitchell and Francesco.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 9 January 2022

You are free to copy this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

people in black uniform holding blue flag running on football field

January 8, 2022October 29, 2023

Southern Plains Football League 2021

Southern Plains Football League Logo / Reference: [1]

Final Standings 2021

SPFL Southern Plains Football League East Division 2021

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	*Med City Freeze	6	2	0.750	175	64	111	W2
2	*Midwest Rampage	6	2	0.750	213	32	181	W1
3	*North Iowa Bucks	5	3	0.625	133	123	10	W1
4	Minneapolis Warriors	4	4	0.500	175	118	57	L1
5	Albert Lea Grizzlies	1	7	0.125	105	308	-203	L1
6	Madison Warriors	0	8	0.000	42	384	-342	L8
7	Central Iowa Chiefs #	0	8	0.000	0	136	-136	L8

SPFL Southern Plains Football League West Division 2021

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	*Sioux Empire Crusaders	8	0	1.000	320	29	291	W8
2	*Des Moines Blaze	7	1	0.875	215	28	187	W7
3	*Watertown Rebels	7	1	0.875	272	81	191	W5
4	*Mountain Lake Lakers	4	4	0.500	221	135	86	W2
5	*Dakota Bulldogs	4	4	0.500	156	261	-105	L2
6	Buffalo Ridge Wildcats	2	6	0.250	80	239	-159	L4
7	Tri-State Buffalos	2	6	0.250	99	268	-169	L1

Reference: [2] / Standings Calculated Automatically from Schedule Results. *Qualify for Playoffs. Tie-Breaker: 1. Head-to-Head. # Central Iowa Chiefs forfeited all 8 games (0-17)

Playoff Schedule

SPFL Southern Plains Football League Playoffs 2021


Match Day Week 10 - Quarter-Finals
July 6, 2021 (Week 10 - Quarter-Finals) 27 - 16 N/A Med City Freeze vs Midwest Rampage
July 6, 2021 (Week 10 - Quarter-Finals) 14 - 20 N/A Watertown Rebels vs Mountain Lake Lakers
July 6, 2021 (Week 10 - Quarter-Finals) 60 - 0 N/A Sioux Empire Crusaders vs Dakota Bulldogs
July 6, 2021 (Week 10 - Quarter-Finals) 38 - 0 N/A Des Moines Blaze vs North Iowa Bucks
Match Day Week 11 - Semi-Finals
July 17, 2021 (Week 11 - Semi-Finals) 20 - 14 N/A Des Moines Blaze vs Med City Freeze
July 17, 2021 (Week 11 - Semi-Finals) 38 - 22 N/A Sioux Empire Crusaders vs Mountain Lake Lakers
Match Day Week 12 - SPFL Championship Game
July 24, 2021 (Week 12 - SPFL Championship Game) 21 - 34 N/A Sioux Empire Crusaders vs Des Moines Blaze

References: [3,4]

Regular Season Schedule

Southern Plains Football League 2021


Match Day Week 1
April 24, 2021 (Week 1) 17 - 0 N/A Tri-State Buffalos vs Central Iowa Chiefs
April 24, 2021 (Week 1) 35 - 6 N/A North Iowa Bucks vs Dakota Bulldogs
April 24, 2021 (Week 1) 0 - 44 N/A Albert Lea Grizzlies vs Watertown Rebels
April 24, 2021 (Week 1) 6 - 12 N/A Mountain Lake Lakers vs Midwest Rampage
April 24, 2021 (Week 1) 38 - 0 N/A Med City Freeze vs Buffalo Ridge Wildcats
April 24, 2021 (Week 1) 12 - 6 N/A Sioux Empire Crusaders vs Des Moines Blaze
April 24, 2021 (Week 1) 52 - 0 N/A Minneapolis Warriors vs Madison Warriors
Match Day Week 2
May 1, 2021 (Week 2) 0 - 17 N/A Central Iowa Chiefs vs Sioux Empire Crusaders
May 1, 2021 (Week 2) 0 - 64 N/A Madison Warriors vs Med City Freeze
May 1, 2021 (Week 2) 72 - 0 N/A Midwest Rampage vs Tri-State Buffalos
May 1, 2021 (Week 2) 70 - 38 N/A Dakota Bulldogs vs Albert Lea Grizzlies
May 1, 2021 (Week 2) 19 - 16 N/A Watertown Rebels vs Minneapolis Warriors
May 1, 2021 (Week 2) 0 - 36 N/A Buffalo Ridge Wildcats vs North Iowa Bucks
May 1, 2021 (Week 2) 29 - 0 N/A Des Moines Blaze vs Mountain Lake Lakers
Match Day Week 3
May 8, 2021 (Week 3) 17 - 0 N/A Minneapolis Warriors vs Central Iowa Chiefs
May 8, 2021 (Week 3) 14 - 16 N/A Madison Warriors vs Dakota Bulldogs
May 8, 2021 (Week 3) 10 - 22 N/A Albert Lea Grizzlies vs Med City Freeze
May 8, 2021 (Week 3) 14 - 2 N/A Des Moines Blaze vs Midwest Rampage
May 8, 2021 (Week 3) 0 - 26 N/A Tri-State Buffalos vs Buffalo Ridge Wildcats
May 8, 2021 (Week 3) 24 - 0 N/A Sioux Empire Crusaders vs Mountain Lake Lakers
Match Day Week 4
May 15, 2021 (Week 4) 42 - 8 N/A Buffalo Ridge Wildcats vs Madison Warriors
May 15, 2021 (Week 4) 26 - 6 N/A Midwest Rampage vs Minneapolis Warriors
May 15, 2021 (Week 4) 0 - 10 N/A Med City Freeze vs North Iowa Bucks
May 15, 2021 (Week 4) 49 - 0 N/A Des Moines Blaze vs Albert Lea Grizzlies
May 15, 2021 (Week 4) 17 - 56 N/A Watertown Rebels vs Sioux Empire Crusaders
May 15, 2021 (Week 4) 55 - 18 N/A Mountain Lake Lakers vs Tri-State Buffalos
Match Day Week 5
May 22, 2021 (Week 5) 0 - 38 N/A North Iowa Bucks vs Midwest Rampage
May 22, 2021 (Week 5) 48 - 20 N/A Minneapolis Warriors vs Albert Lea Grizzlies
May 22, 2021 (Week 5) 18 - 63 N/A Madison Warriors vs Mountain Lake Lakers
May 22, 2021 (Week 5) 0 - 17 N/A Central Iowa Chiefs vs Des Moines Blaze
May 22, 2021 (Week 5) 0 - 48 N/A Dakota Bulldogs vs Watertown Rebels
May 22, 2021 (Week 5) 59 - 0 N/A Sioux Empire Crusaders vs Buffalo Ridge Wildcats
Match Day Week 6
June 5, 2021 (Week 6) 0 - 53 N/A Madison Warriors vs Watertown Rebels
June 5, 2021 (Week 6) 20 - 29 N/A Albert Lea Grizzlies vs North Iowa Bucks
June 5, 2021 (Week 6) 17 - 0 N/A Med City Freeze vs Central Iowa Chiefs
June 5, 2021 (Week 6) 6 - 42 N/A Tri-State Buffalos vs Sioux Empire Crusaders
June 5, 2021 (Week 6) 12 - 22 N/A Buffalo Ridge Wildcats vs Dakota Bulldogs
June 5, 2021 (Week 6) 27 - 6 N/A Des Moines Blaze vs Minneapolis Warriors
Match Day Week 7
June 12, 2021 (Week 7) 56 - 0 N/A Sioux Empire Crusaders vs Madison Warriors
June 12, 2021 (Week 7) 0 - 17 N/A Central Iowa Chiefs vs Midwest Rampage
June 12, 2021 (Week 7) 8 - 32 N/A Med City Freeze vs Des Moines Blaze
June 12, 2021 (Week 7) 36 - 20 N/A Dakota Bulldogs vs Tri-State Buffalos
June 12, 2021 (Week 7) 28 - 9 N/A Watertown Rebels vs Mountain Lake Lakers
June 12, 2021 (Week 7) 6 - 18 N/A North Iowa Bucks vs Minneapolis Warriors
Match Day Week 8
June 19, 2021 (Week 8) 38 - 2 N/A Tri-State Buffalos vs Madison Warriors
June 19, 2021 (Week 8) 17 - 0 N/A Albert Lea Grizzlies vs Central Iowa Chiefs
June 19, 2021 (Week 8) 0 - 6 N/A Midwest Rampage vs Med City Freeze
June 19, 2021 (Week 8) 40 - 6 N/A Mountain Lake Lakers vs Dakota Bulldogs
June 19, 2021 (Week 8) 0 - 28 N/A Buffalo Ridge Wildcats vs Watertown Rebels
June 19, 2021 (Week 8) 0 - 41 N/A North Iowa Bucks vs Des Moines Blaze
Match Day Week 9
June 26, 2021 (Week 9) 0 - 17 N/A Central Iowa Chiefs vs North Iowa Bucks
June 26, 2021 (Week 9) 12 - 20 N/A Minneapolis Warriors vs Med City Freeze
June 26, 2021 (Week 9) 46 - 0 N/A Midwest Rampage vs Albert Lea Grizzlies
June 26, 2021 (Week 9) 0 - 54 N/A Dakota Bulldogs vs Sioux Empire Crusaders
June 26, 2021 (Week 9) 35 - 0 N/A Watertown Rebels vs Tri-State Buffalos
June 26, 2021 (Week 9) 48 - 0 N/A Mountain Lake Lakers vs Buffalo Ridge Wildcats

References: [2]

Recap

The Southern Plains Football League featured 14 teams divided in two divisions in 2021, with one team of interest to Irish readers: the Med City Freeze, based in Mayo High School, Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo being one of Ireland’s traditional 32 counties [20]. The Freeze started the 8-game regular season with a 38-0 win at home in Mayo High School versus Buffalo Ridge Wildcats, an Inter-Division Game. The Freeze followed this up with a crushing 64-0 victory at Madison Warriors in Wisconsin. Week 3 saw Med City improve to 3-0 with a 22-10 at Albert Lea Grizzlies in Forest City, Iowa. The Freeze suffered their first defeat in Week 4, 0-10 at home to North Iowa Bucks but remained in the Playoff spots [2].

A bye week for the Freeze followed in week 5 and the last weekend in May was a rest week for the whole league. Back into action in Week 6 at the beginning of June, the Med City Freeze defeated Central Iowa Chiefs 17-0 to improve to 4-1. In Week 7 the Freeze suffered their second defeat of the season in an Inter-Division game, 8-32 at Des Moines Blaze in Iowa, eventual Champions of the SPFL in 2021. A crucial game followed with fellow Division Championship hopefuls Midwest Rampage, with Med City winning 6-0 at the Rampage in Iowa Falls, Iowa. The Freeze were now 5-2 and their Final match of the season was another crucial game against the 4-3 Minneapolis Warriors. The Freeze won 20-12 at Woodbury School in Minneapolis to finish 6-2 at take the East Division title on Head-to-Head over Midwest Rampage [2].

The Freeze were to play Midwest Rampage again in the Playoff Quarter-Finals and this time it was to be at home in Mayo High School. Med City were again victorious over their rivals winning 27-16 to advance to the Semi-Finals where they travelled to Des Moines, Iowa to take on the Blaze, losing 14-20, their second loss to the eventual Champions in 2021 as the Blaze took the Championship Game in Lake Benton, Minnesota 34-21 versus the undefeated Sioux Empire Crusaders from Harrisburg, South Dakota [3-4].

Med City Freeze Logo / Reference: [8]

About the Southern Plains Football League

The Southern Plains Football League is an Amateur 9-man (9v9) Adult Contact American Football League based primarily in Minnesota, but also Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The League has been operating for 20 years in 2021 and was once known as the Windom Football League (Wisconsin/Minnesota), and also the Great Plains Football League before becoming the Southern Plains Football League about 2011 [21].

Note: To see home towns and fields please click on the home games of the teams in question.

Map of USA

Picture Credit: Map of usa / Image ID: 43240523 Copyright: captainvector / Shutterstock. Reference: [22]

Minnesota Football Stock Image

Logo References

[1] SPFL (Southern Plains Football League) Facebook (2018) Profile Picture, September 16, 2018 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/SPFLfootball/photos/a.240255752713425/2176098605795787 [Accessed 8 January 2022][Actual Logo Image at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/41856524_2176098609129120_5263189513068347392_n.png?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=174925&_nc_ohc=03YVK1BFSbEAX9PGhz-&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT_XzroRx8Vh8Fpv6MZ_IquCU4MYuE_k_VWaASqf-oNwYg&oe=61FE630D ][Accessed 8 January 2022]

Schedule References

[2] Southern Plains Football League (2022) Schedule – Spring 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.myspfl.com/teams/default.asp?u=SPFLFOOTBALL&s=football&p=schedule&viewseas=Spring_2021 [Accessed 8 January 2022]

Playoff Schedule References

[3] Southern Plains Football League (2022) Schedule – Spring 2021 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: https://www.myspfl.com/teams/default.asp?u=SPFLFOOTBALL&s=football&p=schedule&viewseas=Spring_2021&gametype=12 [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[4] Des Moines Blaze Amateur Football Team Facebook (2021) Post, July 30, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/DesMoinesBlaze/posts/10159448445318501 [Accessed 8 January 2022]

Team Logo References

[6] Albert Lea Grizzlies (2022) One_Team [Internet] Available from: https://media.hometeamsonline.com/photos/football/ALGRIZZLIES/One_Team.jpg [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[7] Tony Ashby@td4six Twitter Account (2017) Photo, June 13, 2018 [Internet] Available from: https://twitter.com/Td4six/status/1006917757760180224/photo/3 [Accessed 9 January 2022][Actual Image Reference at: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DflKDAvVAAEEH2V?format=jpg&name=large ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[8] Central Iowa Chiefs Facebook (2017) Profile Picture, December 14, 2017 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/IowaChiefs/photos/a.1065721260234501/1065724453567515/ [Accessed 9 January 2022][Actual Image Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/25188669_1065724453567515_2057593190737743135_o.png?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=X0Wj7YWj_u0AX9AfCSB&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT_JWEfYzlK6jF5totAymhNcWIR5LSmfdHnbW0794oVhdw&oe=61FEBFF2 ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[9] Dakota Bulldogs (2022) news1515189318107 [Internet] Available from: https://media.hometeamsonline.com/photos/football/SPFLF-DAKOTABULLDOGS/news1515189318107.jpg [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[10] Madision Warriors Twitter (2022) Photo, [Internet] Avaiulable from: https://twitter.com/MadisonWarriors/photo [Accessed 9 January 2022][Actual Photo Reference at: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1051656898217500673/u6bUtHua_400x400.jpg ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[11] Med City Freeze (2022) homelogo [Internet] Available from: https://media.hometeamsonline.com/photos/football/SPFLFO-MEDCITYFREEZE/homelogo.jpg?t=0.9785372513918881 [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[12] Midwest Rampage (2022) homelogo [Internet] Available from: https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=SPFLF-MIDWESTRAMPAGE&p=home&s=football [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[13] Minneapolis Warriors Facebook (2021) Profile Picture, July 7, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/minneapoliswarriors/photos/a.438181306355071/1898420170331170/ [Accessed 9 January 2022][Actual Image Reference at: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/215626917_1898420180331169_7764273806743488573_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=_PEAlGUFqzkAX9FESED&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=00_AT8YWmYTyzoV32jbZx3ORvhAWrF6LaHuiVn6YVdl3cpbZg&oe=61E06A01 ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[14] Mountain Lake Lakers (2022) Laker_Logo [Internet] Available from: https://media.hometeamsonline.com/photos/football/MOUNTAINLAKELAKERS/Laker_Logo.jpeg [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[15] North Iowa Bucks Twitter (2013) Photo, December 16, 2013 [Internet] Available from: https://twitter.com/NorthIowaBucks/status/401550296360308736/photo/1 [Accessed 9 January 2022][Actual Phot Reference at: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZKX3c9CAAAtHG2?format=jpg&name=240×240 ][Accessed 9 January 2022]

[16] Sioux Empire Crusaders (2022) homelogo [Internet] Available from: https://media.hometeamsonline.com/photos/football/SIOUXEMPIRECRUSADERS/homelogo.jpg?t=0.45249754413668525 [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[17] Tri-State Buffalos (2022) homelogo [Internet] Available from: https://media.hometeamsonline.com/photos/football/TRISTATEBUFFALOS/homelogo.jpg?t=0.9422881633673946 [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[18] Watertown Rebels (2022) homelogo [Internet] Available from: https://media.hometeamsonline.com/photos/football/SPFL-WATERTOWNREBELS/homelogo.jpg?t=0.6213743670018055 [Accessed 8 January 2022]

Home Field references

[19] Albert Lea Grizzlies (2022) Locations [Internet] Available from: https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=ALGRIZZLIES&s=football&p=locations [Accessed 8 January 2022]

[20] Med City Freeze (2022) About [Internet] Available from: https://www.medcityfreeze.com/teams/default.asp?u=SPFLFO-MEDCITYFREEZE&s=football&p=about [Accessed 8 January 2022]

About SPFL References

[21] Southern Plains Football League (2022) About [Internet] Available from: https://www.myspfl.com/teams/default.asp?u=SPFLFOOTBALL&s=football&p=about [Accessed 8 January 2022]

Map Reference

[22] Shutterstock / captainvector (2022) Map of usa [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_43240523_map-of-usa.html?vti=nlw9ggr72e3pa7slpn-3-99 [Accessed 9 January 2022]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Bart Barden.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 9 January 2022

January 7, 2022October 29, 2023

Major Alternative Football Leagues Final Standings 2021

Canadian Football League 2021

CFL Logo [Reference: 1]

Canadian Football League East Division 2021

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	Toronto Argonauts	9	5	18	309	318	-9	L1
2	Hamilton Tiger-Cats	8	6	16	312	244	68	W1
3	Montreal Alouettes	7	7	14	346	305	41	L1
4	Ottawa REDBLACKS	3	11	6	224	384	-160	W1

Canadian Football League West Division 2021

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	Winnipeg Blue Bombers	11	3	20	361	188	173	L2
2	Saskatchewan Roughriders	9	5	18	290	284	6	L1
3	Calgary Stampeders	8	6	16	315	263	52	W3
4	British Columbia Lions	5	9	10	312	351	-39	W1
5	Edmonton Elks	3	11	6	246	378	-132	L1

CFL Canadian Football League Playoffs 2021


Match Day Eastern Semi-Final
November 28, 2021 (Eastern Semi-Final) 23 - 12 N/A Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Montreal Alouettes
Match Day Western Semi-Final
November 28, 2021 (Western Semi-Final) 33 OT - 30 N/A Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Calgary Stampeders
Match Day Eastern Final
December 5, 2021 (Eastern Final) 19 - 27 N/A Toronto Argonauts vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Match Day Western Final
December 5, 2021 (Western Final) 21 - 17 N/A Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs Saskatchewan Roughriders
Match Day 108th Grey Cup
December 12, 2021 (108th Grey Cup) 25 - 33 N/A Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers

References: [2] (Standings Calculated Automatically).

Japan X-League X1 Super 2021

Japan X-League Logo. References: [3]

JAFA Japan X-League X1 Super 2021

Pos	Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts	Streak
1	Panasonic Impulse	7	0	0	21	271	60	211	W7
2	Fujitsu Frontiers	6	1	0	18	217	113	104	W1
3	Obic Seagulls	5	2	0	15	155	61	94	L1
4	IBM Big Blue	3	3	1	10	223	249	-26	W3
5	Nojima Sagamihara Rise	3	4	0	9	148	153	-5	W1
6	Tokyo Gas Creators	2	5	0	6	112	237	-125	L1
7	Elecom Kobe Finies	1	5	1	4	115	172	-57	L5
8	All-Mitsubishi Lions	0	7	0	0	24	220	-196	L7

JAFA Japan X-League X1 Super Playoffs 2021


Match Day Semi-Finals
December 12, 2021 (Semi-Finals) 38 - 31 N/A Panasonic Impulse vs IBM Big Blue
December 12, 2021 (Semi-Finals) 17 - 10 N/A Fujitsu Frontiers vs Obic Seagulls
Match Day 75th Rice Bowl
January 3, 2022 (75th Rice Bowl) 18 - 24 N/A Panasonic Impulse vs Fujitsu Frontiers

References: [4, 5][Standings Calculated Automatically]

European League of Football 2021

European League of Football Logo. References: [6]

European League of Football Division North 2021

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Streak
1	Hamburg Sea Devils	7	3	0.700	274	178	L2
2	Panthers Wroclaw	6	4	0.600	314	259	W3
3	Leipzig Kings	5	5	0.500	295	320	L1
4	Berlin Thunder	3	7	0.300	228	289	W1

European League of Football Division South 2021

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Streak
1	Frankfurt Galaxy	9	1	0.900	357	132	W9
2	Cologne Centurions	5	5	0.500	320	365	L1
3	Barcelona Dragons	3	7	0.300	230	277	L2
4	Stuttgart Surge	2	8	0.200	157	355	L6

European League of Football Playoffs 2021


Match Day Semi-Finals
September 11, 2021 (Semi-Finals) 36 - 6 N/A Frankfurt Galaxy vs Cologne Centurions
September 12, 2021 (Semi-Finals) 30 - 27 N/A Hamburg Sea Devils vs Panthers Wroclaw
Match Day Championship Game
September 26, 2021 (Championship Game) 32 - 30 N/A Frankfurt Galaxy vs Hamburg Sea Devils

References: [7, 8]

The Spring League 2021

The Spring League Logo. References: [12]

The Spring League 2021	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
TSL North (Indianapolis)
Linemen (C)	6	5	1	0	177	117	.833
Conquerors	6	4	2	0	164	118	.667
Alphas	6	3	3	0	118	137	.500
Aviators	6	0	6	0	53	140	.000
TSL South (Houston)
Jousters (C)	6	4	2	0	121	62	.667
Generals	6	4	2	0	131	104	.667
Blues	6	3	3	0	78	107	.500
Sea Lions	6	1	5	0	90	141	.250

[References: Compiled from results in 13-14]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Mega Bowl Championship		Rice Stadium, Houston, TX
19/06/2021	Linemen	26	Jousters	23

[References: 13-14]

Recap

The Major Alternative Football Leagues of 2021 were The Spring League which kicked off its 5th season this year, with a major expansion, adding a second hub city and four teams to its schedule, the European League of Football, Japan X-League X1 Super, and the Canadian Football League.

The Linemen won TSL North in Indianapolis with a 5-1 record and the Jousters were Champions of TSL South in Houston with a 4-2 record. In a close Mega Bowl Linemen defeated Jousters 26-23 [13-14]. Tadhg Leader, former Connacht Rugby player, who was born in Ireland, played kicker for the Aviators who finished 0-6 in the TSL North [8-10].

Following the TSL season, Tadhg Leader moved on to play for Panthers Wroclaw of Poland in the European League of Football, along with a young Tallaght, South Dublin County native Kevin Mayo. The Panthers finished the season 6-4 in the ELF North but lost the Semi-Final 27-30 at Hamburg Sea Devils, who finished runners-up to ELF South Champions Frankfurt Galaxy (9-1) who won the ELF Championship Game 32-30 in an even closer game than the TSL Mega Bowl [7-8].

By the Fall the Japan X-League had kicked off and the 6-1 Fujitsu Frontiers upset the 7-0 Panasonic Impulse 24-20 in the Rice Bowl [4-5]. This was the first year the JXL had sole ownership of the Rice Bowl, previously the X-League Champions contested the Rice Bowl with the College Champions in Japan.

The Canadian Football League, the biggest of the Major Alternative Football Leagues played a covid-shortened 14-game schedule, with newly renamed Edmonton Elks struggling to a 3-11 record, worst in the CFL. The big news on the Football field however was Winnipeg Blue Bombers who went 11-3 in winning the CFL West before triumphing 33-25 against Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-6) who had upset CFL East Champions Toronto Argonauts 27-19 in the Eastern Final [2].

Tadhg Leader – Irish-born Player (Panthers Wroclaw ELF and Aviators TSL)

Former Connacht Rugby player Tadhg Leader was born in Galway, Ireland. At the age of 15 he and his brother Darragh headed out to kick some Rugby balls at their local pitch on Christmas Day. His dad, a former Galwegians RFC Rugby player made a bet with them that they could not kick the ball over the bars from the halfway line. Both Tadhg and his brother Darragh won €50 each.

Tadhg went on to play Rugby Professionally for Connacht and Darragh now lives in USA where he coaches at Clemson University Tigers. Tadhg suffered a number of injuries during his last few years at Connacht and after playing in Italy he ended up studying in USA and playing for both New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby and making his Test debut for USA Eagles Rugby Union National Team.

Tadhg was signed up to play another year of Rugby Union in 2021 when the kicker started kicking American Footballs for fun. People took notice and said he should try out for American Football teams and so he went off to San Diego where he was kicking alongside Super Bowl-winning athletes. Unsure of his own ability he asked John Carney, who has 23 years of experience kicking Footballs and Carney said he could mix it with the NFL players.

Before long Leader found himself playing for the Aviators in The Spring League in USA. The Aviatiors, one of four teams based in Indianapolis, a COVID-19 Pod and one of two Pods in the 8-team league in 2021 finished with an 0-6 record in 2021. On May 7 versus Alphas Tadhg Leader scored the first points of his American Football career kicking a Field Goal to make the score Aviators 3 Alphas 7 at Halftime.

After spending Spring in Indianapolis with the Aviators Tadhg signed for Panthers Wroclaw in the European League of Football, making his debut on opening day in a 55-39 victory over Cologne Centurions. [References: 8-10]

Kevin Mayo – Irish Player (Panthers Wroclaw ELF)

Kevin Mayo, who is from Tallaght, South Dublin Co. in Ireland, and had previously played for the South Dublin Panthers in the American Football Ireland League joined the Panthers Wroclaw at the tail end of the season after being picked up by North Park University in Chicago, an NCAA Division III College.

CFL References

LOGOS

[1] Sports Logos (2021) 2757__canadian_football_league-primary-2016 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/2573/full/2757__canadian_football_league-primary-2016.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

REFERENCES

[2] Canadian Football League (2021) Schedule 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/2021/ [Accessed 31 July 2021]

Japan X-League References

IMAGES

[3] X-League (2020) logo_xleague [Internet] Available from: https://s3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/xleague/images/logo_xleague.jpg [Accessed 7 March 2021]

STANDINGS

[4] X-League (2021) Standings [Internet] Available from: https://xleague.jp/standing [Accessed 13 December 2021]

[5] X-League (2021) Score [Internet] Available from: https://xleague.jp/score [Accessed 4 August 2021]

ELF References

[6] European League of Football Facebook Page (2021) Profile Picture, February 4, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/europeanleagueoffootball/photos/a.100150555247238/159345569327736/ [Accessed 27 April 2021]

[7] European League of Football (2021) Stats [Internet] Available from: https://europeanleague.football/stats [Accessed 10 November 2021]

[8] European League of Football (2021) Schedule [Internet] Available from: https://europeanleague.football/schedule [Accessed 11 July 2021]

[9] South Dublin Panthers (2021) Post to Page 2 December 2021: “Great Interview!” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/southdublinpanthers/posts/309142057879208 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[10] The Liberty (2021) Leader and Mayo: Meet the two Irishmen with the NFL in their sights [Internet] Available from: https://www.theliberty.ie/2021/12/01/leader-and-mayo-meet-the-two-irishmen-with-the-nfl-in-their-sights/?fbclid=IwAR1g3KnLD1lmr5GsnTTOrYiBJpVYPuyZzhjcgWKz54lKAc1ychvTjBiYwqA [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[11] Rugby Players Ireland (2021) The Journey Continues for Tadhg Leader [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 3 December 2021]

The Spring League References

[12] The Spring League (2017) Profile Picture August 13, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68494309_2435273623417739_8497449137069883392_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ohc=osM0If13hRYAX9kbxYM&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=3d2ef90b030c12beaf5c4be4b091d540&oe=5E9E9711%5BAccessed 25 January 2020]

[13] The Spring League (2021) Schedule [Internet] Available from: https://thespringleague.com/?page_id=5732 [Accessed 20 June 2021]

[14] The Spring League (2021) League [Internet] Available from: https://thespringleague.com/?page_id=136 [Accessed 6 May 2021]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Steve Hearn and Anton “Pippo” O’Grady, Bart Barden, Carmine, Tomasz and Todd Zboyan (Dublin Bay Raptors)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish, North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 7 January 2022

January 7, 2022October 29, 2023

Major League Football 2022

Major League Football Logo [References: 1]

MLF Eastern Conference Teams

MLF Eastern Conference North 2022

Pos	Team
0	New Jersey
0	New York
0	Philadelphia
0	Virginia MLF

MLF Eastern Conference South 2022

Pos	Team
0	Atlanta
0	Miami
0	Orlando
0	South Carolina

MLF Eastern Conference West 2022

Pos	Team
0	Chicago
0	Cincinnati
0	Cleveland
0	West Virginia

MLF Eastern Conference East 2022

Pos	Team
0	Alabama
0	Kentucky
0	Mississippi
0	New Orleans

MLF Western Conference North 2022

Pos	Team
0	Maryland
0	North Carolina
0	Oakland
0	Sacramento

MLF Western Conference

MLF Western Conference North 2022

Pos	Team
0	Maryland
0	North Carolina
0	Oakland
0	Sacramento

MLF Western Conference South 2022

Pos	Team
0	Austin
0	Dallas
0	Houston
0	San Antonio

MLF Western Conference West 2022

Pos	Team
0	Los Angeles
0	Nebraska
0	San Diego
0	San Jose

MLF Western Conference East 2022

Pos	Team
0	Arkansas
0	Memphis
0	Oklahoma
0	St. Louis

About

Major League Football (MLF) is a Professional American Football League intended to start play in Fall 2022, which would put it in direct competition with the National Football League (NFL) which is the 100-year old established Professional American Football League, which has to date seen off all challenges to its position as the number 1 Professional League, although it had to absorb a successful alternative in the American Football League (AFL) of the 1960s (see https://eirball.ie/national-football-league/ for more details on the NFL and https://eirball.ie/american-football-leagues/ for more details on Alternative Leagues to the NFL).

Some Leagues never even start, and considering the Major League Football of 2022 has not yet announced team names, stadia, ownership groups or any other details such as media partners and player tryouts as of 7 January 2022 and is intending to play in the Fall of 2022 it is most likely to fall into this latter category. It has announced it is starting with 32 teams, just like the Trinity Professional Spring Football League which also named only cities and states where teams were to be based and no other details. (see https://eirball.ie/failed-american-football-leagues/ )

Major League Football is intending to go directly head-to-head with the NFL in 14 Markets as well as in the Fall. These markets are: New Jersey (NFLs Jets and Giants), Philadelphia (NFLs Eagles), Miami (NFLs Dolphins), Atlanta (NFLs Falcons), Cleveland (NFLs Browns), Chicago (NFLs Bears), Cincinnati (NFLs Bengals), New Orleans (NFLs Saints), Maryland (NFLs Baltimore Ravens), North Carolina (NFLs Carolina Panthers), Dallas (NFLs Cowboys), Houston (NFLs Texans), Los Angeles (NFLs Rams and Chargers) and San Jose (NFLs San Francisco 49ers). [References: 27]

In addition to those 14 NFL markets, the MLF is intending to put teams in Oakland, San Diego and St. Louis which were all vacated by NFL teams recently, and 10 markets which previously held Alternative League teams: New York (teams in USFL, XFL), Virginia (UFL), Orlando (USFL, WLAF, UFL, XFL), Alabama (Birmingham: USFL, WLAF, AAF, XFL), Sacramento (WLAF, CFL USA, UFL), Austin (AFA), San Antonio (USFL, WLAF, CFL USA), Nebraska (Omaha, UFL), Memphis (USFL, XFL) and Oklahoma (USFL) [References: 3-26]

The last 5 markets the MLF is intending to put teams in have never had either a Major Alternative Football League team or National Football League team in the modern era. These markets are: South Carolina, West Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky and Arkansas.

Image References

[1] Major League Football (2022) MLF [Internet] Available from: http://majorleaguefootball.pro/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MLF.png [Accessed 7 January 2022]

References

[2] Major League Football (2022) About [Internet] Available from: http://majorleaguefootball.pro/#about [Accessed 7 January 2022]

USFL References

WEBSITES

[3] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[4] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[5] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[6] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[7] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[8] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

AFA REFERENCES

WEBSITES

[9] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1977 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1977.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[10] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1978 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1978.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[11] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1979 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1979.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[12] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1980 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1980.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[13] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1981 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1981.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[14] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1982 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1982.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[15] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1983 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1983.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

XFL References WEBSITES

[16] Remember the XFL (2017) XFL Final Standings [Internet] Available from: http://sites.google.com/site/rememberthexfl/standings [Accessed 3 February 2017]

UFL REFERENCES

INTERNET ARCHIVE

[17] United Football League | Internet Archive (2010) Schedule 2009 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20100102212241/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

[18] United Football League | Internet Archive (2011) Schedule 2010 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20110609043730/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

[19] United Football League | Internet Archive (2011) Schedule 2011 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20111026023511/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

XFL 2.0 REFERENCES

WEBSITES

[20] XFL (2020) XFL Standings [Internet] Available from: https://stats.xfl.com/standings/ [Accessed 31 March 2020]

AAF WEBSITES

[21] Alliance of American Football (2019) Standings [Internet] Available from: https://aaf.com/standings [Accessed 4 April 2019]

WLAF References

[22] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1991 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id165.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

WLAF References: NEWSPAPERS

[23] Anon. (1991) “Standings” First Down, June 1, 1991, pg. 5

[24] Anon. (1991) “Jon’s too Hort to handle” First Down, June 8, 1991, pg. 4-5

[25] Anglesey, Steve (1991) “Enter the Dragons!” First Down, June 15, 1992, pg. 6-7

WLAF References: WEBSITES

[26] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1992 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id166.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

NFL References

SCHEDULE REFERENCES

[27] NFL (2021) Scores Regular Season Week 1 [Internet] Available from: https://www.nfl.com/scores/2021/REG1 [Accessed 20 September 2021]

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 7 January 2022

January 3, 2022October 29, 2023

Yankees Pre-AFAI Irish American Football Team 1983

Results

Yankees All-American Festival Result 1983


Match Day All-American Evening
August 19, 1983 (All-American Evening) 7:15 pm N/A Redskins vs Yankees

View all events

REPORT

An All-American Evening at Rifle Park, Banbridge, Co. Down on Friday Evening, the 19th August, 1983, was to have included an American Football game between two teams of specially-trained Rugby players. The “Redskins” versus “Yankees” was to be the highlight of the evening which also had all the razzamatazz of cheerleaders and bands.

The match, if it actually went ahead, would push back the history of Irish American Football a further year. As it Currently stands the Dublin Celts are the first ever Irish American Football Team, founded in 1984, and the first ever match between two Irish teams (A Flag Football match) took place in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, in 1985, between the Tyrone Tornadoes and Coleraine Chieftains.

It is unlikely the teams were kitted, so it may have been something similar to Ohio League American Football in the USA in the early 20th Century, which would have looked more like Rugby Union or Rugby League than the modern game of American Football.

REFERENCES

[1] Anon. (1983) “Shoot-out at Rifle Park”, Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, August 17, 1983. pg. 34 [Past editions of the Irish Newspaper Archive are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers) and Anton “Pippo” O’Grady.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

January 3, 2022October 29, 2023

Redskins Pre-AFAI Irish American Football Team 1983

Results

Redskins All-American Evening Festival Team Results 1983


Match Day All-American Evening
August 19, 1983 (All-American Evening) 7:15 pm N/A Redskins vs Yankees

View all events

REPORT

REFERENCES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers) and Anton “Pippo” O’Grady.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

January 3, 2022October 29, 2023

Navy Galloping Gaels European Theater of Operations Football Team in Northern Ireland Winter 1944

Results

Navy Galloping Gaels European Theater of Operations Northern Ireland Championship Results Winter 1944


Match Day Potato Bowl
January 1, 1944 (Potato Bowl) 0 - 0 N/A Navy Galloping Gaels vs Army Wolverines

View all events

REPORT

In the big New Years’ Day Bowl Game in the European Theater of Operations Football Championship of Winter 1944, Navy Galloping Gaels tied 0-0 with Army Wolverines in the home ground of Newry Town Football Club (Soccer), which was designated “Lone Star Field” for the day. The game was billed as the “Championship of Northern Ireland”.

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Massimo Foglio with Mark L. Ford (2015) “Winter Football 1944 – Bowl Games and Professionals” Touchdown in Europe: How American Football Came to the Old Continent. pg. 62.

WEBSITES

[4] Lucky Show (2016) American Football in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Tim Leadingham (Tallaght Outlaws).

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.