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Steelers touchdown in Ireland again! · The Irish Steelers Podcast

• 0:05
  Speaker 1: Everybody, You're very welcome into this edition of the Irish
• 0:08
  Speaker 1: Theaters podcast. We are back after a bit of a
• 0:10
  Speaker 1: ces in the NFL off season. Well, I'll tell you
• 0:13
  Speaker 1: what anyone who follows the NFL lows Er hasn't meaning
• 0:15
  Speaker 1: the off season, free us see the NFL combine and
• 0:18
  Speaker 1: for Steeters fans, for fans of the NFL, but certainly
• 0:20
  Speaker 1: for fans of this podcast and fans of the Pittsburgh Steels.
• 0:23
  Speaker 1: The NFL drafts coming to Pittsburgh for the first time
• 0:26
  Speaker 1: ever at the end of April, and feeling that we
• 0:30
  Speaker 1: get going again and over the next few weeks that
• 0:32
  Speaker 1: we're going to look up just in regards to the
• 0:33
  Speaker 1: NFL Draft. We're going to have some special guests on
• 0:35
  Speaker 1: looking at a team in the Steelers that have twelve
• 0:38
  Speaker 1: draft picks, and really something that I've seen really first
• 0:41
  Speaker 1: time last week just how much this means to Rooney family,
• 0:45
  Speaker 1: to the Steelers organization and it's such a big, big
• 0:48
  Speaker 1: moment for the family. So we're all very very excited
• 0:51
  Speaker 1: to see what's going to happen as we get ready
• 0:53
  Speaker 1: for the draft that's at the end of April. It's
• 0:57
  Speaker 1: great to sit down and chat to everybody here again,
• 1:00
  Speaker 1: you're enjoying the off season and you know, certainly eager
• 1:03
  Speaker 1: and looking forward to Steelers football coming back. The Steelers
• 1:06
  Speaker 1: returned to Ireland last week to build on what's really
• 1:09
  Speaker 1: now a long term commitment of growing the game of
• 1:11
  Speaker 1: American football across the island and they launched for the
• 1:14
  Speaker 1: first time the Steelers Flag Football Tournament, which is presented
• 1:17
  Speaker 1: by ERLINGUS and UPMC. So that was seen as an
• 1:21
  Speaker 1: opportunity for twenty four schools from across the island of
• 1:24
  Speaker 1: Ireland in three tournaments Belfast, Dublin and Cork, with Steelers'
• 1:29
  Speaker 1: legends Vince Williams will Allen there obviously as well a
• 1:32
  Speaker 1: vice president of Business Development and Strategy Dan Rooney there
• 1:34
  Speaker 1: as well, and just great to see the team get
• 1:38
  Speaker 1: out and about as well on the island and you
• 1:41
  Speaker 1: can sort of see it firstthand just how great it is.
• 1:43
  Speaker 1: And one of the bigger things and things that people
• 1:45
  Speaker 1: have really spoke to me about was an announcement that
• 1:48
  Speaker 1: came at the end of last week seeing the Steelers
• 1:52
  Speaker 1: and announcing a new partnership with the Mahain Hospitality Group
• 1:54
  Speaker 1: which we'll see Kennedy's Pub and restaurant beside Marion Square
• 1:59
  Speaker 1: in Dublin become the Affici Pub with the Pittsburgh Staters
• 2:01
  Speaker 1: in Ireland, and there's gonna be a little saction of
• 2:03
  Speaker 1: the pub taking the name Steelers Station to Kennedy's a
• 2:06
  Speaker 1: lot more to come on that, but obviously it's going
• 2:08
  Speaker 1: to be a great view location for Staeters games, for
• 2:11
  Speaker 1: fans to gather and have some fun as well. And
• 2:14
  Speaker 1: we're very very excited and just let people know that
• 2:16
  Speaker 1: there is a draft party taken place on Saturday, April
• 2:19
  Speaker 1: of twenty fifth. There is a link in the bio
• 2:21
  Speaker 1: of this podcast for tickets. Ten euro gets you in.
• 2:24
  Speaker 1: It says that there's going to be a special Staters
• 2:26
  Speaker 1: guest to be announced, appearances from Irish sport and legends,
• 2:29
  Speaker 1: musical performances, and you're gonna have the opportunity to gather
• 2:33
  Speaker 1: and watch the NFL Draft live. And as we said,
• 2:35
  Speaker 1: the Steters have got so many picks in this draft,
• 2:37
  Speaker 1: it's in Pittsburgh. It's going to be very very special.
• 2:40
  Speaker 1: So we're very very excited to have the Steelers really
• 2:43
  Speaker 1: make this commitment. And I've been in Canaday's number of
• 2:45
  Speaker 1: times and it's a fantastic pub so we're all very
• 2:47
  Speaker 1: very excited for that. So let's hear on this week's
• 2:50
  Speaker 1: podcast from a number of people that came on and
• 2:53
  Speaker 1: spoke to us during our time in Belfast Doublin Court
• 2:57
  Speaker 1: last week. First off, we're going to hear from Staters
• 2:59
  Speaker 1: Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, Dan Rooney, talking
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: to us from Belfast. Dan, you're very very welcome back
• 3:06
  Speaker 1: to Ireland a game. I know, since the international marketing
• 3:10
  Speaker 1: deal went over the line a few years ago, you've
• 3:12
  Speaker 1: been over here so many times. But it's always great
• 3:14
  Speaker 1: to see you guys come over here and really put
• 3:15
  Speaker 1: a footprint on this market for American football fans. How
• 3:19
  Speaker 1: are you welcome back?
• 3:20
  Speaker 2: Doing great? Pumped to be back, and you know, it's
• 3:23
  Speaker 2: very cool to be in Belfast today for the Steelers
• 3:26
  Speaker 2: first ever Flag football tournament, and you know, we're we're
• 3:30
  Speaker 2: just really excited to be back here. The last time
• 3:32
  Speaker 2: I was at this this venue, it was game week
• 3:35
  Speaker 2: and we had Jeralm Bettis and Ike Taylor and in
• 3:38
  Speaker 2: Belfast teaching the game of American football. And today we
• 3:41
  Speaker 2: have Will Allen on hand and it's just really neat
• 3:44
  Speaker 2: to see how excited the kids are to play.
• 3:46
  Speaker 1: You can really see that progression I feel from you know,
• 3:50
  Speaker 1: from September to now and those kids in the interest.
• 3:52
  Speaker 1: And we'll talk about that in a wee moment, but
• 3:54
  Speaker 1: you know, going back on that game, for you, this
• 3:57
  Speaker 1: has been your life that this this team is the
• 4:00
  Speaker 1: trying to get to that Dublin game into that moment.
• 4:02
  Speaker 1: What did that Dublin game mean for the Steelers as
• 4:05
  Speaker 1: an organization.
• 4:05
  Speaker 2: Yeah, we're still glowing from that game, still hearing from
• 4:09
  Speaker 2: players and coaches how how special that day was over
• 4:12
  Speaker 2: at Croke Park, and really the entire week leading up
• 4:14
  Speaker 2: to the number of Steelers fans that that traveled over
• 4:17
  Speaker 2: to Dublin and spent time across the island, and the
• 4:21
  Speaker 2: number of Irish fans on him that day two, we'll
• 4:24
  Speaker 2: we'll never forget it. And getting the win was was
• 4:27
  Speaker 2: certainly the cherry on top.
• 4:29
  Speaker 1: I'll just literally go across and go right there and
• 4:31
  Speaker 1: then don because it's what It's funny we sort of
• 4:33
  Speaker 1: mentioned earlier on but like I think it was percent
• 4:38
  Speaker 1: the amount of people that traveled over I think speaks
• 4:40
  Speaker 1: of volumes to the real want for this. And I
• 4:43
  Speaker 1: guess firstly, you know everybody wants to know. The question
• 4:46
  Speaker 1: when will the Steelers be back in Dublin is a question.
• 4:49
  Speaker 2: You know, a question for the NFL and something that
• 4:53
  Speaker 2: I know. The NFL left the game back in September
• 4:57
  Speaker 2: of twenty twenty five incredibly impressed with what Dublin in
• 5:00
  Speaker 2: Ireland was able to pull off. So you know, the
• 5:03
  Speaker 2: Steelers would love to come back. It was a fantastic
• 5:06
  Speaker 2: experience for for us. And you know, the future for
• 5:10
  Speaker 2: Steelers Ireland is absolutely bright and were we see that
• 5:13
  Speaker 2: game as a launching pad for you know, what's to come,
• 5:16
  Speaker 2: So we'd love to come back.
• 5:18
  Speaker 1: I really think that the prep that you guys have done,
• 5:20
  Speaker 1: the prep that the NFL is done, it's one thing
• 5:22
  Speaker 1: doing that prep and that research, but actually seeing it
• 5:25
  Speaker 1: be carried out in Cook Park in a week throughout,
• 5:27
  Speaker 1: whether it's in Belfast or Double or wherever, you know,
• 5:30
  Speaker 1: it's you just you just have to imagine nydown that
• 5:32
  Speaker 1: Ireland has really proved itself to be a viable market
• 5:35
  Speaker 1: for a future game, and not just on game day itself,
• 5:37
  Speaker 1: but the fact the city is just so accessible as well.
• 5:40
  Speaker 2: Yeah, for me, Dublin and its infrastructure built built for
• 5:45
  Speaker 2: a big event like like an NFL game, and as
• 5:47
  Speaker 2: you said, they have the right stadiums in place. Croke
• 5:50
  Speaker 2: was an unbelievable venue for a game. But the town,
• 5:54
  Speaker 2: you know, and really the entire country, there's so much
• 5:57
  Speaker 2: to do here. There's so much life, and it's unique
• 5:59
  Speaker 2: for American football fans to not only come over to
• 6:02
  Speaker 2: see our sport played, but also to get to just
• 6:05
  Speaker 2: experience Irish culture. The Pittsburgh's and in Steelers nations still
• 6:09
  Speaker 2: still raving about it.
• 6:10
  Speaker 1: And you mentioned that the game itself was almost a
• 6:13
  Speaker 1: launching pod for what's ahead. And we're obviously here today
• 6:15
  Speaker 1: and to see Whell Island here and to see these
• 6:17
  Speaker 1: kids is incredible. We have no Steels the game in
• 6:20
  Speaker 1: Island this year. But how does the calendar look for
• 6:22
  Speaker 1: the Steelers in Ireland for this year itself?
• 6:25
  Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, the next week here that that we're over,
• 6:29
  Speaker 2: we're doing the Flag Football tournament. So today we're in Belfast,
• 6:33
  Speaker 2: we'll be in Dublin on Wednesday and down to Cork
• 6:37
  Speaker 2: on on Thursday. Vince Williams is coming over for a
• 6:40
  Speaker 2: portion of that as well, our former linebacker. So what
• 6:44
  Speaker 2: we're you know, continuing to grow the game with flag
• 6:47
  Speaker 2: football clinics and then there's going to be fan events
• 6:50
  Speaker 2: coming up, and you know, we're looking to do something
• 6:53
  Speaker 2: right around draft time, not only in Pittsburgh, but but
• 6:55
  Speaker 2: here in Dublin as well.
• 6:57
  Speaker 1: How much does that mean to you to see the
• 6:59
  Speaker 1: draft in Pittsburgh. I seen Randerin's last week done. It
• 7:01
  Speaker 1: just looks phenomenal. And I know it's such a big
• 7:04
  Speaker 1: deal for the city, but for your family on the
• 7:05
  Speaker 1: team as well. It's gonna be incredible, isn't it.
• 7:07
  Speaker 2: Yeah, we cannot wait for the NFL Draft to officially
• 7:11
  Speaker 2: touch down in Pittsburgh. That entire Draft week on the
• 7:15
  Speaker 2: North Shore and over to Point State Park and really
• 7:18
  Speaker 2: across Pittsburgh and Western BA is gonna be special. And
• 7:21
  Speaker 2: you know that the fans are going to be able
• 7:23
  Speaker 2: to travel into into the draft experience, and not only
• 7:27
  Speaker 2: can they watch the biggest names in college football get
• 7:30
  Speaker 2: drafted and walk across the stage, but they can go
• 7:32
  Speaker 2: into Akrosher Stadium and kick a field goal on our
• 7:34
  Speaker 2: field or run the forty yard dash over at Point
• 7:37
  Speaker 2: State Park. So there really is something for everyone with
• 7:41
  Speaker 2: the Draft in Pittsburgh, and it's gonna be a special
• 7:43
  Speaker 2: few days.
• 7:44
  Speaker 1: There absolutely the Stiage is at the side of Orchestra
• 7:48
  Speaker 1: Stadium on his face in the city. Which is gonna
• 7:50
  Speaker 1: be Look, I can think of one word. I think
• 7:52
  Speaker 1: it's gonna be iconic when you think of Lee at
• 7:54
  Speaker 1: first round. It's getting dark, it's nighttime, and just that
• 7:57
  Speaker 1: bridge lit up in the funds. Look for people from
• 8:00
  Speaker 1: and listen into this time. Like you know, obviously stay
• 8:02
  Speaker 1: tuned for draftnings, but that is going to be that's
• 8:04
  Speaker 1: gonna be something else. It really really is. Obviously you're
• 8:06
  Speaker 1: here for the Staters Flag Football Tournament. It's the first
• 8:08
  Speaker 1: of its kind. You know, you've mentioned there what you're
• 8:11
  Speaker 1: doing this week with the guys that are coming in.
• 8:12
  Speaker 1: But why is flag football so important to the Sears
• 8:15
  Speaker 1: And you've been sitting watching this all morning. There's some
• 8:18
  Speaker 1: serious talent with ten eleven year olds here and it really,
• 8:20
  Speaker 1: you know, makes you think there's real, real opportunity here
• 8:23
  Speaker 1: for kids to really develop there and test in this sports.
• 8:25
  Speaker 2: Gentlemen, the boys and girls out there right now, you know,
• 8:28
  Speaker 2: the speed, the athleticism, and then most importantly the fun
• 8:33
  Speaker 2: they're having is really neat to see and they're picking
• 8:36
  Speaker 2: the game up. I remember doing these camps a couple
• 8:39
  Speaker 2: of years ago, and it was a bit of a
• 8:41
  Speaker 2: learning curve to understand the roles of American football. But
• 8:44
  Speaker 2: I can see that it's progressed already and we're we're
• 8:47
  Speaker 2: seeing competitive games that are that are coming down to
• 8:49
  Speaker 2: the wire and last second touchdowns to win. So the
• 8:54
  Speaker 2: future of flag football in Ireland and across the globe is,
• 8:58
  Speaker 2: you know, very bright, and we're excited about it.
• 9:02
  Speaker 1: Here's hoping, we say, some of these girls and boys
• 9:03
  Speaker 1: maybe take part in the future Olympics.
• 9:05
  Speaker 3: But you never know.
• 9:06
  Speaker 1: Look, we could see somebody in the future play for
• 9:08
  Speaker 1: the Pittsburgh Staters a serious today. You never know that
• 9:10
  Speaker 1: it could be awesome. Obviously, the very very best look
• 9:13
  Speaker 1: to you over the next few weeks with the draft,
• 9:14
  Speaker 1: and we appreciate you coming on. But honestly, man, we
• 9:16
  Speaker 1: just appreciate you coming over here and taking the time,
• 9:18
  Speaker 1: the effort and the name put here. So thank you
• 9:20
  Speaker 1: very much. And I enjoyed the rest of the week.
• 9:22
  Speaker 3: Thank you.
• 9:22
  Speaker 2: I was ready to sit down. Thank you.
• 9:24
  Speaker 1: Good to hear from Dan and you can really hear
• 9:25
  Speaker 1: that commitment, but also the really the pride in the
• 9:29
  Speaker 1: family and really the team and what they have done,
• 9:32
  Speaker 1: not just in Ireland for the NFL doubling game in
• 9:33
  Speaker 1: twenty twenty five. What they continue to do across the island,
• 9:37
  Speaker 1: which is awesome. And it was so good to see
• 9:39
  Speaker 1: both Vince Williams and Will Allen over there, and you know,
• 9:41
  Speaker 1: really honestly, folks, seeing firsthand how much it minded the
• 9:44
  Speaker 1: kids to have them there. And great opportunity last week
• 9:48
  Speaker 1: to chat to Will Allen. And here's what Will Allen
• 9:50
  Speaker 1: had to say about being an Ireland being part of
• 9:51
  Speaker 1: the Steelers organization and passing on the game as well.
• 9:55
  Speaker 1: All Right, I'm in Belfast here with former staateor safety
• 9:58
  Speaker 1: Will Allen. Well, you now join a list of staters
• 10:02
  Speaker 1: greats out of came over to Ireland, and you're very
• 10:05
  Speaker 1: very welcome for a start, and thank you for giving
• 10:07
  Speaker 1: your time back to these kids and and just forgiving
• 10:10
  Speaker 1: your time back to the game as well.
• 10:11
  Speaker 4: How you do you know, it's great, you know, the
• 10:15
  Speaker 4: trip was really really quick and to get over here,
• 10:19
  Speaker 4: and I'm enjoying Ireland.
• 10:20
  Speaker 3: I'm enjoying the culture and and just you know, being embraced.
• 10:26
  Speaker 3: It's incredible, it's incredible.
• 10:28
  Speaker 1: This is your first time in Ireland, first time, first time?
• 10:30
  Speaker 1: Is this something you were trying to do for years
• 10:32
  Speaker 1: or are you trying to get over here before? As
• 10:35
  Speaker 1: I guess it has always been like a bucket list
• 10:36
  Speaker 1: sort of things to come over.
• 10:37
  Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean you always uh hear about the culture,
• 10:41
  Speaker 4: of the history and and just how rich this this
• 10:46
  Speaker 4: this country is, and and just having an opportunity to
• 10:48
  Speaker 4: come here to me as as important and I want
• 10:52
  Speaker 4: to come back. I want to see more of the countryside,
• 10:54
  Speaker 4: see more of you know, just of what what Ireland
• 10:57
  Speaker 4: has to offer. It's a quick trip, so I definitely
• 11:00
  Speaker 4: got to come back.
• 11:01
  Speaker 1: Well, you're very welcome back and let us know the
• 11:02
  Speaker 1: next time you do. You and have played internationally all
• 11:06
  Speaker 1: being up with the Steels obviously we had the game
• 11:09
  Speaker 1: in Dublin last year. Did you see much of that
• 11:11
  Speaker 1: and where you're going? Oh my god, I'd love to
• 11:12
  Speaker 1: have been there and played like it. Somebody has been
• 11:15
  Speaker 1: the you know, Wambley tile. It's very it was very,
• 11:17
  Speaker 1: very different to London in that sense as well.
• 11:19
  Speaker 3: Yeah, it was. I mean, energy was incredible. I mean
• 11:23
  Speaker 3: the streets were filled with people. It was it was
• 11:26
  Speaker 3: a celebratory.
• 11:28
  Speaker 4: Environment and and game and uh just to see the
• 11:32
  Speaker 4: green and yellow terrible toils being waved around, seeing the
• 11:36
  Speaker 4: game being embraced uh here and having genuine like fans.
• 11:43
  Speaker 4: It just showed, it showed really the connection between the
• 11:46
  Speaker 4: Steelers in Ireland and you know, in the game of
• 11:49
  Speaker 4: the game of football, the NFL game of football. So
• 11:51
  Speaker 4: I was I was really really excited to see it.
• 11:54
  Speaker 4: I was really you know, encouraged by it.
• 11:56
  Speaker 3: And it's just it's it's awesome.
• 11:58
  Speaker 1: You mentioned the terrible titles. Well, what is it like
• 12:02
  Speaker 1: playing for the States organization and you'll play for the
• 12:04
  Speaker 1: Rooney family as value of such a great connection to
• 12:06
  Speaker 1: this island.
• 12:08
  Speaker 4: Yeah, I think playing for the Steelers really, you know,
• 12:12
  Speaker 4: it was life changing for me, you know, planning playing
• 12:17
  Speaker 4: and getting to meet some of the greats that helped
• 12:20
  Speaker 4: form and shape the NFL. You know, is is important
• 12:25
  Speaker 4: and you know, and I get to be a part
• 12:29
  Speaker 4: of that history and carry on that legacy.
• 12:31
  Speaker 3: So it's a huge responsibility, I believe. But and also the.
• 12:35
  Speaker 4: Rooney family and what they stand for, the continuity they have,
• 12:41
  Speaker 4: the integrity they have them wanting to grow the game
• 12:45
  Speaker 4: and having a really an unselfish ownership posture.
• 12:49
  Speaker 3: I think is it helps it helps bring in community.
• 12:53
  Speaker 4: I think it helps being able to transcend in other
• 12:58
  Speaker 4: other cultures, other countries, and you know, them having close
• 13:01
  Speaker 4: ties and you know, coming from Ireland, their families, coming
• 13:05
  Speaker 4: from Ireland. You know, it's important for them to continue
• 13:08
  Speaker 4: to give back to the communities here and and to
• 13:12
  Speaker 4: the country. So I'm just I'm just very humble to
• 13:15
  Speaker 4: be a part of it.
• 13:16
  Speaker 1: That's awesome. And you're you're spot home when you say
• 13:18
  Speaker 1: about you know, the growth of the game here and
• 13:20
  Speaker 1: what they're doing. I guess just finally you're you're over
• 13:22
  Speaker 1: here for a flag football event with with the Stailers,
• 13:24
  Speaker 1: the Flag Football Tournament, and one element of that is
• 13:28
  Speaker 1: the connection that the Steelers have. Whenever you were playing
• 13:31
  Speaker 1: in Wembley around the decade to go. Now, I don't
• 13:35
  Speaker 1: think the game was where it's up internationally in terms
• 13:37
  Speaker 1: of this participation outside of like so for for flag football,
• 13:40
  Speaker 1: for example, how cool is it to see you know,
• 13:42
  Speaker 1: girls and boys there this morning and this afternoon actually
• 13:45
  Speaker 1: playing because for some of them will it's the first
• 13:47
  Speaker 1: time they've touched the pig skin, you know, so it's
• 13:49
  Speaker 1: it's very very different. But that must be very special
• 13:51
  Speaker 1: for a guy that's you know, had a really long,
• 13:53
  Speaker 1: great career in the league and seeing something very very different.
• 13:57
  Speaker 4: I think, you know, when I played in the game
• 14:00
  Speaker 4: in two thousand and nine, it was in Wimbley. I
• 14:04
  Speaker 4: don't I don't think the game was really grown internationally yet,
• 14:07
  Speaker 4: and I don't think the game was.
• 14:09
  Speaker 1: I think that was actually the second game in London.
• 14:11
  Speaker 1: I think that was a sack of sacking Refirst. It
• 14:12
  Speaker 1: was very very early in that process.
• 14:14
  Speaker 3: Yeah, I just don't.
• 14:15
  Speaker 4: I just don't think the game was as as as
• 14:17
  Speaker 4: mature and it's getting better. And when I see young
• 14:21
  Speaker 4: people asking questions about the Super Bowl, asking questions around
• 14:25
  Speaker 4: their favorite team, asking questions around what is it like
• 14:29
  Speaker 4: to play in the NFL, those are the same questions
• 14:32
  Speaker 4: that a lot of young American kids asked.
• 14:34
  Speaker 3: So you know, there's this curiosity in this very.
• 14:40
  Speaker 4: Unique I would say, just uniqueness around how they want
• 14:47
  Speaker 4: to embrace the game the way they want to. And
• 14:50
  Speaker 4: you know, they don't get to see very many NFL players,
• 14:53
  Speaker 4: So hopefully more NFL players from all teams will start
• 14:56
  Speaker 4: to come over here and all over Europe, not to
• 15:00
  Speaker 4: necessarily force the game on people, but to show them
• 15:02
  Speaker 4: that it's a possibility for them to engage in it.
• 15:05
  Speaker 4: As well, whether they want to do it on the
• 15:06
  Speaker 4: business side, or whether they want to do it on
• 15:08
  Speaker 4: the media side, or whether they want.
• 15:09
  Speaker 3: To actually play. But so to see young.
• 15:12
  Speaker 4: Girls and young boys, you know, try something different, to
• 15:17
  Speaker 4: wanna you exercise their athletic abilities.
• 15:21
  Speaker 3: In a different sport, it's just great. It's great to
• 15:24
  Speaker 3: be a part of. And I appreciate you know, their
• 15:27
  Speaker 3: commitment to want to do it.
• 15:29
  Speaker 1: In fact, you ever coming over here, because I think
• 15:30
  Speaker 1: sometimes when you're actually looking them up, you think that's
• 15:33
  Speaker 1: that's it's a long travel, it's it's a commitment you know,
• 15:36
  Speaker 1: people have, you know, people's time is practice. We appreciate
• 15:39
  Speaker 1: you coming over here because it does make about It
• 15:40
  Speaker 1: makes a big, big difference. And well, you never know,
• 15:44
  Speaker 1: one of these kids here today can be planning in
• 15:46
  Speaker 1: the NFL in ten or fifteen years.
• 15:47
  Speaker 4: So we will see, we will you never know, And
• 15:50
  Speaker 4: I'll be look, I'll come over here any anytime I'm
• 15:53
  Speaker 4: asked to.
• 15:54
  Speaker 3: I love it. It's exciting.
• 15:55
  Speaker 1: Well, I hopefully see I will hopefully see you over
• 15:58
  Speaker 1: here again. Very racent. Well, thank you very much for
• 16:00
  Speaker 1: your time, and thank you again for coming over and
• 16:02
  Speaker 1: I hope you enjoy your time. In Belfast and in
• 16:04
  Speaker 1: Dublin and see if travels home all the time. It
• 16:06
  Speaker 1: comes to thank you very.
• 16:06
  Speaker 3: Much, Thank you appreciate it.
• 16:08
  Speaker 1: Thanks very much to Will for coming on and speaking
• 16:10
  Speaker 1: to us here on the Irish Theaters podcast, and that
• 16:12
  Speaker 1: twenty twenty six Steelers Flag Football tournament really does build
• 16:15
  Speaker 1: on what's really been three years of youth engagement by
• 16:18
  Speaker 1: the Steelers in Ireland. Since the Steelers were awarded the
• 16:21
  Speaker 1: Global Markets Program in twenty twenty three, the Staterers of
• 16:24
  Speaker 1: the have delivered football camps on grassroots initiatives in Dublin, Belfast,
• 16:29
  Speaker 1: Cork and Newray so over seven hundred and fifty boys
• 16:32
  Speaker 1: and girls have had the chance to experience flag football
• 16:35
  Speaker 1: and also meets Steeters players, legends staff as well, which
• 16:38
  Speaker 1: is awesome and it just feels like a really really
• 16:40
  Speaker 1: good time for the game here. And before we wrap
• 16:43
  Speaker 1: this podcast up, delighted to also speak to a guy
• 16:45
  Speaker 1: that's very very important to see you're heading this on
• 16:47
  Speaker 1: the island on a weekly daily basis, Alan and Masny,
• 16:50
  Speaker 1: who is the president of American Football Ireland, dropped in
• 16:54
  Speaker 1: the chat to us also Alim and Masie, Alan, You're
• 16:56
  Speaker 1: you're a long way from home up in Belfast.
• 16:58
  Speaker 5: I am a long way from home.
• 16:59
  Speaker 1: Yet they have a good time, great time.
• 17:02
  Speaker 5: Yeah, Look, it's it's always it's always great. When the
• 17:05
  Speaker 5: Steelers are holding events, they always run exceptionally well and
• 17:09
  Speaker 5: today is no exception. There's some great football been played today,
• 17:14
  Speaker 5: some kids having the time of their lives and really
• 17:17
  Speaker 5: really enjoying the day. It's been a great tournament so
• 17:19
  Speaker 5: far and looking forward to the next two events.
• 17:23
  Speaker 1: They've done a number of camps across the island even
• 17:26
  Speaker 1: before the NFL doubling game, but that week of the
• 17:28
  Speaker 1: ALFOL doubling game was the first sort of real focus
• 17:30
  Speaker 1: I think on on flag football in those camps where
• 17:32
  Speaker 1: they're do in different drills, et cetera. And I have
• 17:36
  Speaker 1: seen firsthand today just a real growth in the interest
• 17:40
  Speaker 1: level from the kids. And I think as well, the
• 17:41
  Speaker 1: confidence to try out something new is really important. There
• 17:44
  Speaker 1: somebody that's so engrossed in the game domestically, it must
• 17:47
  Speaker 1: be very cool to say, you know, this next generation,
• 17:49
  Speaker 1: really go for it.
• 17:49
  Speaker 5: It is and look, this is exactly what we want
• 17:52
  Speaker 5: to see. We want to see kids at at young
• 17:54
  Speaker 5: age getting into football, getting in getting excited by football,
• 17:59
  Speaker 5: and seeing how they can, you know, start in primary
• 18:03
  Speaker 5: school and work their way up in the pathway and
• 18:05
  Speaker 5: and and get an opportunity to play football at a
• 18:07
  Speaker 5: higher level as they get older.
• 18:09
  Speaker 1: How do you think we can further enhance this do
• 18:11
  Speaker 1: you think? And some of the reason with you know,
• 18:13
  Speaker 1: obviously in your old day, and how can we make
• 18:15
  Speaker 1: it better? Do you think in terms of you've participation?
• 18:17
  Speaker 5: It just comes down to just getting more schools involved.
• 18:20
  Speaker 5: I think, you know, the key is true schools and
• 18:22
  Speaker 5: the more schools that we can get into these competitions,
• 18:25
  Speaker 5: the more interest will generate. You know, if the teacher
• 18:30
  Speaker 5: that's teaching the kids in in p class has an
• 18:33
  Speaker 5: interest in football, then you know the kids are already
• 18:36
  Speaker 5: coming with it, with it kind of will have a
• 18:37
  Speaker 5: basic knowledge. But what we're seeing there now today, and
• 18:40
  Speaker 5: which is great, is that we have kids there now
• 18:42
  Speaker 5: that not maybe not necessarily have ever tried football before today.
• 18:46
  Speaker 5: And I was watching one team there, know, and and
• 18:48
  Speaker 5: they came in at the start and they were a
• 18:49
  Speaker 5: bit confused looking about how it was going. And next
• 18:52
  Speaker 5: day I'm watching them winning games. No, they have grown
• 18:55
  Speaker 5: so much just today. It is fantastic to see.
• 18:58
  Speaker 1: Look, I think you're by on the gain in the
• 19:00
  Speaker 1: skills and then obviously the LFL have sent the flag
• 19:02
  Speaker 1: packages and there's that commitment now from the Irish government
• 19:04
  Speaker 1: as well. So we have talked about this, but obviously
• 19:06
  Speaker 1: the gratsal lot there and look, this is the Aris
• 19:09
  Speaker 1: Sterius podcast, but I think it's important obviously for people
• 19:11
  Speaker 1: listening to Alan as a president of American Football Island.
• 19:14
  Speaker 1: The Senior Kid of season has started going in the
• 19:16
  Speaker 1: week four now, it feels like this might be the
• 19:18
  Speaker 1: biggest season ever. There's there's been a real uh, a
• 19:22
  Speaker 1: real push. I think it's been a really cool start
• 19:24
  Speaker 1: of the season. Competitive aland as well. Yes, in your role,
• 19:28
  Speaker 1: how have you found the season so far?
• 19:30
  Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, look, obviously, you know the kid kidd
• 19:33
  Speaker 5: season is great when everything is rolling and we get
• 19:35
  Speaker 5: everybody's back to football and everybody who's excited to get
• 19:37
  Speaker 5: started again. And you know what I mean, Look, what
• 19:40
  Speaker 5: we want to see is is good competitive leaves. I
• 19:42
  Speaker 5: mean Division one and and the Premier Division. We want
• 19:45
  Speaker 5: to see two competitive seasons and two competitive divisions playing.
• 19:49
  Speaker 5: So far, we've had some seen some great games, some
• 19:52
  Speaker 5: high scoring games. I think it's it's making out to
• 19:55
  Speaker 5: be a very exciting season and you know, I'm looking
• 19:58
  Speaker 5: forward to how the season develops and see you know
• 20:00
  Speaker 5: who we're going to who we're going to get into
• 20:02
  Speaker 5: in the championship games and July.
• 20:04
  Speaker 1: And we've got we've got the Clara League starting as
• 20:06
  Speaker 1: well one female flag football and yeah, some girls here
• 20:09
  Speaker 1: today I could definitely have a future and not that
• 20:12
  Speaker 1: impressively as well as the speed as well.
• 20:13
  Speaker 5: Absolutely, I mean some of the girls there today have
• 20:16
  Speaker 5: been just phenomenal. You know, the moves just fantastic.
• 20:21
  Speaker 1: Watch really it really has been. It's actually been an
• 20:23
  Speaker 1: eye opening been good. But thank you for your doing
• 20:26
  Speaker 1: I think you know, it's one thing to say thank
• 20:28
  Speaker 1: you and you know, welcome up here. You know you're
• 20:30
  Speaker 1: a cork Man, West Cork and I'm glad to believe
• 20:32
  Speaker 1: in you're your East Court. Okay, well, I definitely avenge
• 20:35
  Speaker 1: the it's it's it's a long way from home. So
• 20:38
  Speaker 1: thank you for what you're continuing to do that I'm
• 20:39
  Speaker 1: putting this efforting because you can really see today makes
• 20:42
  Speaker 1: a massive difference. So Alan, thanks the million and I've
• 20:44
  Speaker 1: got all shot in the again. Right, Thanks Michael, I
• 20:48
  Speaker 1: big thanks to our guests for coming on this week's podcast,
• 20:50
  Speaker 1: we really appreciate their time and their supports and really
• 20:53
  Speaker 1: the time to grow the game and from seeing the
• 20:55
  Speaker 1: first time last week, that is such a key in
• 20:59
  Speaker 1: the calor of growth for football and Irelands. Whether you're
• 21:01
  Speaker 1: a Steeters fan or whether you've got the Steelers as
• 21:03
  Speaker 1: your second adopted team, now that is only a good
• 21:06
  Speaker 1: thing to say and just a reminder the Steelers Draft.
• 21:09
  Speaker 1: The Steelers Draft party taking place on Saturday, April twenty
• 21:13
  Speaker 1: fifth link is in the bio. We hope to see
• 21:15
  Speaker 1: you there.
• 21:15
  Speaker 3: Folks.
• 21:16
  Speaker 1: Get involved. Check out the social Steelers Ireland Instagram and
• 21:19
  Speaker 1: ex an on TikTok. Also use the hashtag Steelers Ireland
• 21:22
  Speaker 1: to let us know. Let us know for next week
• 21:25
  Speaker 1: who would you like to see the Steelers draft And
• 21:27
  Speaker 1: you can use hashtags Steelers Ireland if you'd like to
• 21:30
  Speaker 1: tag at Steeters Ireland, if you want to even tag
• 21:32
  Speaker 1: me at mcay NFL. I'd love to hear what you're
• 21:34
  Speaker 1: going to say and I'll get back to you on
• 21:36
  Speaker 1: next week's podcast. But from now from the Emerald, we
• 21:40
  Speaker 1: will chat to you next week and before you know it, folks,
• 21:43
  Speaker 1: the first run is going to kick off for the
• 21:44
  Speaker 1: NFL Draft in Pittsburgh,