PREPARATIONS for Swindon Storm’s first season of competitive action are well on track after the club attracted close to 40 new players to the sport.

The Storm will compete in National Division South after completing a series of requirements set by the British American Football Association (BAFA), and will now go head-to-head with a number of local rivals including Oxford Saints and Gloucester Centurions.

Led by head coach Steve Bennett, Storm have now completed five training sessions as they bid to assemble a roster capable of competing, with more than 60 players attending of which 40 were new to the sport.

Bennett was pleased with the turnout for the opening sessions of the year, and has been impressed with the attitudes of players new and old.

“The first three sessions were inside running through the basics. We spent time in the classroom and used an interactive power point with pictures and colours, which helped engage the players and show what we are doing and how the drills go,” he said.

“We are doing really well with our recruitment and there is loads of noise, loads of smiling faces and loads of hustle, and the coaches are generating noise and encouraging the players.

“The returning players are doing well too, and I’ve explained to them that it isn’t an old boys’ club, and I want the old players engaging the new players and making them part of the club.”

For more information, contact coach Bennett on 07883096408.