New Yorker Lions waste no time, begin 2017 recruiting season

AFI | American Football | 10/13/2016

The post-season is actually the pre-season.

At least that is how the German champions, the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions approach things.

Only a week after winning German Bowl XXXVIII, Lions head coach Troy Tomlin is already preparing for the 2017 GFL season.

On October 15th and the 22nd from 11 AM to 2 PM both days, the New Yorker Lions will be holding open tryouts at the Rote Wiese field in Braunschweig. The Lions began holding these tryouts a few years ago and they have definitely been fruitful. Running back Chris Smith from Holland, who finished fifth in Germany in rushing in 2016 with 1,459 yards, was discovered at a tryout camp. So was receiver Tom van Duijn, also from Holland.

Tomlin explains:

“Of course, we expect, as in the last two years, in addition to a variety of players with football experience also people who have no previous experience in putting on a helmet and shoulder pads to show up. That is the beauty of an open tryout. Each competitor will be evaluated on his own merits and those that we think that can make it in the GFL, will be given the opportunity to become a part of the 2017 Lions.”

Registration starts at 11 AM and immediately after the Lions coaches will start the warm ups. After the warm-up, participants will be put through a number of different drills to evaluate their athletic and football specific skills. Following the tryout, the coaches will speak to each participant to let them know how they did and of their chances making the New Yorker Lions roster.

Participants must be over 18 years of age and bring workout gear and sports shoes. The try out will take place on artificial turf.