American Football: Weight for it as Pirates lift their fundraising game

Feb 11 2009 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

EAST Kilbride Pirates American Football team are embarking on a new fundraising experience to kick start their preparations for the 2009 season – and it sounds like it’s going to be a mammoth task.

The challenge, devised by rookie offensive lineman Alistair Wilson, involves the team in attempting to lift a total of 250 metric tonnes through a series of five different lifts.

To put the weight into perspective, 250 tonnes is the equivalent weight of 42 elephants or 250 hippos.

In conjunction with team sponsor Extreme Nutrition and Venice Physique in Glasgow, the Pirates are undertaking a sponsored weight lift to raise money for the team.

Pirates players will visit Venice Physique on Saturday, February 21 where they will each perform five different weight lifts. The amount they lift will be added together to give a total for the individual.

Finally, this will be added to the team tally, with the goal of reaching 250 metric tonnes throughout the day.

Additionally, the team will have individual prizes for the player managing the best lifts in each category and the best total weight lifted.

Pirates head coach Andy Mackintosh is looking forward to the challenging task. He said: "Weight lifting is a fundamental aspect of an individual’s preparation to play American Football.

“This event allows us to highlight the importance of this part of an athlete’s development, as well as increasing the profile of the Pirates and raising funds for the team. It will be tough, but I’m sure it will be a fun day."

Meanwhile, the team’s preparations for the 2009 division one campaign are well underway. Training takes place from 10am every Sunday in East Kilbride (at either Duncanrig or Brancumhall, depending on weather conditions).

If you're interested in finding out more about the Pirates or sponsoring them in their quest, please contact info@piratesfootball.co.uk.