Highland Wildcats coach Robbie Paulin plea to extend registration window
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Highland Wildcats coach Robbie Paulin has called for the American football registration period to be extended until the end of the calendar year.
Usually, the British American Football Association (BAFA) season ends at the start of October.
With the Scottish Government giving an indicative date of August 24 for a full return to training for people of all ages, that does not leave much time for fixtures.
BAFA have already slightly extended their window, but Paulin believes more could be done to give teams the best chance of playing this year without impacting next season too much.
“The season starts in April, but our registration season is October to October, and they’ve extended that until the end of October for this year,” Paulin explained.
“So basically, we could play friendlies until the end of October as the 2020 squad.
“I was pushing for them to extend that until the end of December, because it wouldn’t really affect next season too much, and there would be guys who are supposed to be playing their last-ever season who might get a bit of closure with a game or two.
“I think everybody would be so grateful for just one game.
“That was my idea, but BAFA don’t seem to be having any of it. I think they were worried it would affect training for next year.
“Surely we can give up one month of practice for next season to let these guys play out their year?”
The Wildcats are not just a sports club, as they help youngsters with CV building and mental health too.
However, Paulin has seen a marked decrease in off-field activity without the game to fall back on, which has reinforced the importance of American football in his eyes.
“We’ve found there’s not as much engagement,” he admitted.
“It’s nice in a way, because it shows our project is needed. There has been so much less engagement without the thing that brings us together – sport.
“All the extra stuff has faded away without American football.
“We’ve lost our unique selling point. Anybody could just set up an employability or mental health engagement thing, but it’s nice to know the sporting side is needed.”
