November 1, 2019, by Charlotte Gauja
Headliner | Player in Focus – Jack Casey
On Sunday 3rd November the University of Nottingham American Football 1st Team will kick-off their BUCS season in style as the first Headliner of the year!
The Headliner series, hosted on campus, showcases our BUCS teams competing at the top level of university sport. The series is competitive as our teams compete against other University rivals at the top of the BUCS table. Expect to see rising-star student athletes on campus, metres away from your halls of residence or university lectures.
Nottingham will be playing against the University of Stirling aka Clansmen. The last time these teams went head to head at a home game Nottingham came out victorious, scoring 27-7. But can our #GreenandGold players do it again?
Norwich born Jack Casey is one of our players in focus for the upcoming Headliner event. Jack studied Chemistry as an undergraduate and is now studying for an MS in Brewing.
We caught up with Jack to ask him a few questions about his journey with the sport and his plans for the future.
FUN FACT: Not only is Jack an excellent American Football player, but he has added another string to his bow with surfing, which he loves to do over the summer months by his caravan in Cornwall.
I understand you have worked your way through American Football whilst being at university – could you explain that process a little more?
‘So I actually wanted to play ice hockey but didn’t fancy getting up at stupid o’clock in the morning. I had been watching a lot of American Football at home so I just started playing – I was taken under the wing of a linebacker called Frosty’
As Jack got more involved with the team he started going to the gym and taking part in strength and conditioning sessions with the university coaches, through this Jack put on 20kg of muscle in two years!
Jack also commented of the benefits of sport at university: ‘Sport is a good outlet to have alongside university in order to get a good, well-rounded education.’
Are there any players or coaches you have worked with that have particularly stood out to you as someone who has made an impact on your sporting career?
‘The person I would say I look up to most would be Will Hobbs. He used to play on our team and went on to represent England in Europe. He’s a great player and an even better person.’
Jack also credited coaches Ben Davis and Ben Davies as people who have helped him progress through his career; ‘Incredibly so in fact.’
What are your plans for your future with the sport?
‘I want to carry it on. I plan to trial again for England and hopefully get into the squad – I’m training hard this season to be able to do so.’
The linebacker trialled for England over Easter but was unsuccessful; he had been asked to trial at a position he had not played before. This year he has moved position to ensure he is playing safely and so when he trials again he ‘can be better.’
This summer season Jack will be playing for current BAFA Premier North Division Champions, Tamworth Phoenix who are based in Coleshill, Warwickshire.
Jack will be representing #GreenandGold on home ground this Sunday for the Headliner event against the University of Stirling. The event is sold out so is sure to have an excellent atmosphere!
If you haven’t got yourself a ticket make sure to still join the waiting list to be in with a chance to watch if spaces become available.
Red Bull will be supporting the event with a live DJ, creating an extra special match day experience. If you can’t be there on the day we will be live streaming the event on our Facebook page.
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