The Thunder are always on the lookout for new players, and we welcome any and all who would like to join the team. Our aim is to ensure that anyone who wants to play youth football is given every opportunity to do so.

What kind of football do you offer?

We run teams for two different formats of American football:

Flag Football is a 5 on 5 non contact version of the sport, great for learning and developing the essential running, throwing, catching and mental skills needed for any form of football. There is also a lot more flag football played in the UK than the contact version, so flag players get a lot more experience on the pitch in real game situations, and there's no greater training than experience. Flag football is available in 3 age groups; Cadet (7-11 year olds), Junior (11-15 year olds) and Youth (14-18 year olds).

Tackle Football is the youth version of tackle (contact) American football, and is played in full kit; helmets, pads etc. There are two tackle age groups, Junior (14-16 year olds) and Youth (16-18 year olds). The junior game, like flag, is played 5 on 5, but the youth play a full 11 a side game.

Unlike many sports, both forms of football are open to boys and girls to play on the same team. And you don't have to decide whether you prefer flag or tackle football - the vast majority of our players play both!

What about coaching and training?

All our coaches and staff are registered with BYAFA (the British American Youth Football Association), and all coaches are also BAFCA (British American Football Coaching Association) registered and qualified. In addition, we get occasional coaching help from members of the Sussex Thunder senior squad coaches and players. The Thunder have a comprehensive Child Welfare Policy and all coaches and staff are CRB checked and fully conversant with Child Welfare issues to ensure players can learn and play football in a safe, friendly and fun environment.

Training takes place weekly (sometimes twice if required) at the Bewbush Leisure Center in Crawley, usually on a Sunday from 10 am - 2 pm, although this can vary. We normally start with flag training (which all players are expected to attend as this is where most of the skills training takes place), and then half way through we switch to tackle training (only for those players who play tackle).

How much does it cost? Do I need to provide anything?

Membership fees for the 2008 season are £100 for flag-only players, £125 for contact players. This covers training, facilities, equipment, league membership, insurance, tournament fees and the like and allows players to compete in both flag and tackle (if old enough) games. On top of the club dues, players are also required to provide a few pices of their own kit (see below), and there is a £5 charge for the minibus to each tournament attended.

Players have to provide their own boots (no metal studs or blades). a gum shield (which we can provide for a nominal charge) and socks (available from the club). Flag players also have to provide their own black shorts or sweat pants for playing in - these must have no pockets. All other kit (helmets, pads, shirts, etc.) are provided free of charge, although a fully returnable deposit is required (lost kit is expensive to replace).

Some players prefer to provide their own kit, which is fine providing it meets the required league standards, and some players like additional bits of kit (e.g. receiver gloves) which we do not provide. The club can help with advice on purchasing of these, and can often get the kit for you at a discount price.

What do I need to do to join the Thunder?

Basically, just turn up to a training session and say you want to join. It's as easy as that, but please contact the Head Coach by email or phone in advance to let him know you will be coming, and please show up about 30 minutes before the start time to ensure all paperwork is completed.

A parent or guardian will need to turn up to your first training session with you to complete the paperwork, or alternatively you can down load the Club Membership Form and BYAFA Temporary Membership form and fill them out in advance.

The BYAFA Temporary Membership form allows you to attend up to 3 training sessions and be covered by insurance while you decide whether or not you like the sport. If you do, after your three sessions are up (or before if you want), you have to pay the membership fees and get fully registered with BYAFA. Once you are fully registered you are eligible to attend tournaments, Team England and GB Lions trials, etc.

You keep mentioning tournaments. What about normal games?

Due to the relatively few number of teams in the country, the league operates on a day tournament basis (except for Youth tackle which is a standard home and away schedule). Teams from all over take it in turns to host a tournament. Teams get league ranking points based on the number of tournaments attended, and their performance within each tournament. At the end of the season, the top teams in each age group attend the national Championship playoffs, which also take place at a single event. On average, each team can expect to play between 3 and 6 games per tournament, depending on the number of teams attending. In addition to the league tournaments, BYAFA and the NFL both organize friendly one day tournaments throughout the year.

Throughout the year? Isn't there a 'season'?

Yes, there is. The BYAFA league runs from March - July and is the backbone of the events we attend. But if you add in the non-league tournaments, most of which are in the autumn, and if you're lucky enough to get chosen to play for England or GB, a player who went to everything could expect to play in 15-20 events in the course of a year, although most players don't find it quite that intensive. How much time and effort you want to put in is up to you, but we do find an awful lot of players just can't get enough of the game.

I'm thinking of joining, but it's late in the season. Do I have to pay the full fees?

No. From around the half way point of the season (usually June or so), club fees are reduced for new players. The amount of the reduction varies depending on how many tournaments are left to play in the year. For the current fees, ask the coach at training.

What you've said is interesting, but I'm over 18. Is there any way I can get involved in football?

If you want to play, check out our senior team. They always want more players.

But if you want to get involved with the junior teams, we can do with any help you can offer. Working with kids is incredibly rewarding, and at the Thunder we pride ourselves on the friendly family atmosphere we train and play in. No matter what your experience we can always use more help doing administration, coaching, refereeing, first aid, filming games, taking statistics, assisting on the sidelines, or just plain cheering the players on. It doesn't have to be full time volunteer work - if you've only got a little time to spare we'll find a little something for you to do. And if you don't know anything about football, we'll train you in anything you need to know - it only took 4 years for our current head coach to go from being a willing dad to being a BAFCA Coach of the Year and coaching a UK Championship team.

I've got a question you haven't covered here...

Then by all means contact us by phone or email. We're always happy to provide more information, or simply chat about the club, the sport and what we do.