As they prepare for the new season, one which they hope will see them promoted form the NFC1 North, one of the region’s American Football sides, Bryce Stevenson’s Northumberland Vikings, have had other, more immediate preparations at hand. Ahead of the British American Football Association (BAFA) season beginning in the middle of this month (April 2022), the Vi-
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kings were afforded the once-in-alifetime opportunity of a trip head to Iceland, for a mini-training camp, and a ‘warm-up’ game with Reykjavik Einherjar. It was to be an opportunity which Coach Stevenson, and one of the Vikings’ longest serving players, Safety, Conor Joyce, were both excited, and ready for the challenge that lay ahead. Stevenson, who only arrived at the
Vikings two years ago, but brought with him a wealth of experience, and a remit to take the club to the next level, said of the opportunity to go to Iceland: “We’d seen the advertisement on social media and, after having spoken amongst ourselves, and with our Icelandic opportunities, came to an agreement. “I’ve been lucky here, and an experience like this could be a big difference-maker towards our season. “That, and this was an opportunity they many never get again.” As for Conor Joyce, a player at the latter end of his career, and one who has been with the Vikings since its inception, is well aware what this trip to Iceland means. “There’s never been the opportunity of playing in Europe,” added Joyce. “Yes, I’ve been lucky to play with GB level players, but this is something we needed to get and it’ll help with the unity, the buy-ins,
