SOLENT SEAHAWKS ACADEMY
ABOUT US
The Seahawks were formed in 2015. We broke away from our senior team, got a new name, got a whole new image and started on the road to creating the premier American Football Club for Under 19's anywhere on the South Coast of the UK!
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We're not there yet, but we are certainly on our way. Starting with a small core of dedicated players, coaches and staff we spent a lot of time providing a strong, stable structure from which to grow. Only a few years later, we boast substantial player numbers across two different age ranges, an incredible line up of coaches and a club setup that is well on track to making headlines across the BritBall landscape!
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We pride ourselves on giving the players that represent us a safe and enjoyable environment in which to learn the sport of American Football.
We are a fully inclusive Club; anyone can join and be part of our FAMILY. Regardless of experience, size or shape, the club will welcome you in and allow you to take part in the sport we love!
Come and join the FAMILY and see for yourself!
WHAT WE OFFER
We are committed to being the best Youth American Football Club in the UK
u16 CONTACT
u16 CONTACT
u16 Contact is a 5 a side version of the game, aimed to introduce players to the game.
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Our u16 Contact Team are currently ranked #2 in the UK having made the National Final in 2024.
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Since our inception in 2015, the u16 team has never failed to reach the National Playoffs
u19 CONTACT
u19 CONTACT
u19 is a 2 tier league with Division One playing 9 a side version of the game on a full size field, while Division Two is 7 a side game played on a hybrid field.
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The Seahawks u19 are a Division One team.
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TOP COACHES
TOP COACHES
We have some of the top coaches in the UK, several of whom coach the Great Britain u17 & u19 Squads.
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With a wealth of playing experience and knowledge of the game, you will receive the some of the best coaching in the UK at club level
SOME OF OUR SUCCESS STORIES
Some of our players have gone on to play at the highest levels in the NFL Academy, NCAA or ELF
Tom Samonig
Offensive Line
Tom Samonig was an outstanding player on some not-so-outstanding Solent teams between 2010 and 2014. Tom anchored the Offensive Line, predominantly playing Tackle but also making appearances at Guard and on the Defensive Line too.
He played for GB and Team Europe and after his Solent career concluded in 2014, Tom went on to SGS Pride and then the NCAA, playing at D3 Austin College in Texas. Tom finished his three-year NCAA career with the Kangaroos as a key part of their offensive line and team captain.
Toby Naylor
Linebacker #44
Toby joined the Seahawks in 2013 as a wide receiver but quickly realised his strengths were on the other side of the ball. A tough tackling linebacker, he quickly became a key player, captaining the Seahawks and GB National Team. He moved to SGS Pride and following two years there, he earned a spot on the Brevard Tornados squad in the NCAA. In 5 seasons in the NCAA Toby played in 45 games and captained the Tornados for 3 seasons. In his freshman year, he earned an NCAA ring by winning the Scotty Whitelaw Bowl. At the end of his US College education, he moved back across the Atlantic to play for and Captain the Hamburg SeaDevils in the ELF.
Toby Spallinger
Offensive Line
Toby joined the Seahawks at 13 and was already a giant standing over 6ft tall. His size made him an exceptional lineman and he became an integral part of both the u16 and u19 squads.
Toby was one of the first group of players to be selected to the newly founded NFL Academy where he spent 2 successful years as part of that now storied program before being offered an opportunity to attend Lake Forest, an NCAA Division 3 college based in Illinois where he is now in his Junior year.
Fletcher Cornwall
Linebacker #55
Fletcher is the epitome of good football player, a quiet unassuming gentleman off the field but a beast on it !
After a successful career with the Solent Seahawks at both u16 and u19 he was selected to play for Great Britain and then the NFL Academy, however unfortunately a knee injury saw him miss almost 2 seasons. Being the fierce competitor that he is, he came back from the knee injury and Captained the Seahawks in his final year.and returned to the field with the NFL Academy. With offers from multiple NCAA colleges, Fletcher decided to stay in the UK to enhance his education at University of Nottingham where in his first year, he is already a key player for the Gold Team.
Ollie Williams
Offensive/Defensive Line #77
Ollie came to the Seahawks having never previously played football but very quickly became a standout playing on both the offensive and defensive line. Like so many of our players he was given the opportunity to attend SGS Pride during which time he won 4 GB caps at u17 and u19, captaining the team in the 4th game.
After 2 successful years as part of the SGS Pride, along with fellow Seahawk Ryan Hart, Ollie was offered the opportunity to attend the NCAA Division III UW Oshkosh where he is currently in his freshman year.
Ryan Hart
Wide Receiver #21
Ryan started with the Seahawks at 13 having already had several years flag experience with the South Coast Spitfires. A shifty route runner with great hands he became the youngest scorer in club history catching a TD in his first game in his rookie year. Despite his u16 career being shortened by the CoVID lockdown, Ryan went on to smash all receiving and scoring records with the club over his u16 & u19 career. Ryan has represented Great Britain at both u17 and u19 level winning 3 caps and went after a successful stint at SGS Pride he is now attending UW Oshkosh in the NCAA and recently made history being part of the first ever all GB touchdown pass from a British QB to a British WR in NCAA history.
GREAT BRITAIN PLAYERS
More than 30 players have represented Great Britain at either u16 or u19 level and many at both
Aaron Smith
Position: DL
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2018. 2019
Freddie Lowe
Position: WR
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2024
Lewis Munt
Position: RB
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2022
Sam Chambers
Position: OL
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2024
Alfie Birks
Position: QB/WR
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2022
Gibril Connelly
Position: LB
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2023, 2024
Louis Benzy
Position: QB
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2018, 2019
Sam Gee
Position: ?
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2018, 2019
Andrew Banda
Position: DB
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2018,2019
Harry Fredericks
Position: OL
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2024
Matteo Negro
Position: WR
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2023, 2024
Toby Dean
Position: S/P
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2023
Barney Short
Position: DE
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2024
Hugh O'Field
Position: LB
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2023
Michail Nastoulis
Position: DB
GB Caps: 1
Years: 22024
Toby Naylor
Position: LB
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2018, 2019
Callum Grant
Position: DB
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2022
Johnny Greenwood
Position: LB/DB
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2023, 2024
Noah Kirby
Position: WR/TE
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2022-2024
Toby Spallinger
Position: OL
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2022
Corben Merton
Position: S
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2023
Josh Dutton
Position: DB
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2024
Oli Smithson
Position: QB
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2023, 2024
Tom Chambers
Position: RB/WR
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2022, 2023
Dom DeMonte
Position: QB
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2018. 2019
Kieron Johnson
Position: ?
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2019
Ollie Williams
Position: DL
GB Caps: 4
Years: 2023, 2024
Will Friere
Position: OL
GB Caps: 2
Years: 2024
Fletcher Cornwall
Position: LB
GB Caps: 1
Years: 2023
Kieron Purdham
Position: ?
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2018, 2019
Ryan Hart
Position: WR
GB Caps: 3
Years: 2022, 2023