Berkshire Renegades made the long trip down to Cornish Sharks on Saturday and, despite the 0-31 defeat, returned home in good spirits following a much improved team performance.
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The Renegades once again take a long road trip next week to the West Country to take on the Plymouth Admirals; with both teams having much to prove, this certainly will be a game to watch!
In an attempt to turn the team around it has been decided with agreement from both parties involved that Phil De Monte will step down as Head Coach of the Berkshire Renegades with immediate effect.
Renegades General Manager Oliver Raffle said, "This is not a reflection on the abilities of Coach De Monte who has worked hard for our program, but action is needed to get the team going in the right direction. While this is a difficult decision to make mid-season, we hope that this course of action will help settle and reinvigorate the team. The Berkshire
Renegades management is committed to having a positive and successful program and I wish Coach De Monte the greatest of success in the future.
For the near future, Assistant Head Coach Paul Gordon and I will be working with the players and management to turn our season around and find the best person for our program in the future."
Coach De Monte stated "I am greatly saddened, but in full agreement with the decision of Oliver and the Renegades management. The team needs something to turn them around, and this just may be the thing to do that. I came to Reading from Farnham, which is testament to show how much I believe in the Renegades program. The steps taken to work with the Farnham Fast Lane Knights and the NHBAFO has had positive impact on the Renegades.
Something needs to be done to take them to the next stage, and if it means me leaving the program to kick start things, so be it. I wish Oliver and the team all the very best of everything."
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A spring Sunday morning is usually spent practicing or playing American Football for members of the Berkshire Renegades, but for one, this was not enough of a workout.
Paul Tattersdill, defensive lineman for the Berkshire Renegades, decided he wanted a bigger challenge than just playing American Football. He decided to sign up and run the Flora London Marathon. Which he completed in a respectable 5 hours and 10 minutes, while carrying an injury to his calf from the Renegade’s first game of the 2009 season campaign against the Gloucester Banshees.
Paul, who likes to challenge himself physically in such events doesn’t like to get bored and he commented, “It was there to do, so why not!”
Once his application was accepted, Paul contacted Bliss, a charity for special care babies and offered to run for them, “Both my children were born prematurely so it is a charity that means something to me on a personal level.”
Photo courtsey of Richard George (http://phase.org)
After catching his breath, Paul kindly answered a few questions on his experience of the London Marathon.
What was going through your mind as you ran the course?
“I was thinking that the crowd were just fantastic and it really helped to keep you going especially as the distance headed into the 20’s. Also how hot it was, I had checked the weather forecast and the morning was meant to be overcast and cool.
The other main thing that worried me all the way round was “I hope my right calf muscle holds up to complete this distance”. It hurt every time my right leg hit the ground, but there are just some things you have to put to one side on the day.”
How does training with the Renegades compare to training for the Marathon?
“Both are very different but have one thing that is identical, they both teach you that sometimes you just have to ignore that your body is telling you it’s hurting, and that the body can put up with quite a bit of pain before it packs up.”
What is your experience of the whole day?
“The experience was fantastic, I’m not sure I’m going to repeat it anytime soon, although I am looking at maybe a triathlon next. As I have said before, the crowd was just something else, having people cheering you on and shouting out your name as your running really did help to motivate me, and seeing the finish as I passed Buckingham Palace was just a brilliant feeling (as was that first cold beer!)”
Be sure to tune in to the Berkshire Renegades' national television debut on the brand new show 'Guinness World Records Smashed'. It promises to be a highly entertaining performance!
Sky One, Sunday May 3rd, 8pm