Britbowl 2007 Dundee Hurricanes v Norwich Devils Preview

Q+A Bruce Foster - Dundee Hurricanes

As part of the build up to Dundee Hurricanes first outing in their first UK final, we have another Q+A session with Hurricanes Director of Coaching and the 2007 Defensive Coordinator, Bruce Foster.

Bruce has now ended his long association with the game in Tayside coaching his last game for the Hurricanes at their Britbowl Semi Final victory and now looks forward to a new chapter in his life when he moves to Australia.

Q: What is your official title within the Hurricanes Organisation and how long have you been doing it.

A: Currently I am the Defensive Co-Ordinator. I was originally Head Coach and then Director of Coaching until the start of last year.

I then  decided to step down from the Hurricanes for a number of reasons, mainly a lack of motivation and difference of opinions in the clubs direction. I was then asked to come back and take up the role of DC, by HC Alex Brannan and GM Charlie Campbell.

Q: What are your main responsibilities?

A: Its been refreshing this year, without any committee responsibilities, so I have been able to put all my effort into coaching and preparing the Defense of the Hurricanes.

Its been a challenge, because we have a number of good rookies starting, some lesser experienced guys moving over the Offense and inconsistant numbers showing up for games.

This year, I have also been promoting the game in some of Dundee's high schools through our Schools Flag Football Programme.

We recently had St Johns High School compete in the NFL World Chamionships qualifiers and finishing 3rd in the UK qualifers. Monifieth High were also crown the Dundee champions in our first inter-schools league.

Q: How did you first get involved in the game - if it was as a player, what was your position and what clubs.

A: I first joined the Whalers in 1987 as a player. I hurt my back a few years later and took on some coaching.

Well I say coaching.......I put it down as keeping the guys going. I didnt know much about coaching back then.

But then I got into the coaching more and started the Dundee Storm, after being approached by a bunch of kids wanting to play.

Read books on the game and the opportunity to learn more from other coaches through the Scottish Claymores Under 21 squad, helped me build on what I already knew.

Q: How long have you been coaching?

A: If I include what I did at the Whalers, it would be 18 years. They include the Whalers, Storm, GB Youth and Scotland Youth squads, Edinburgh Timberwolves and the Hurricanes

Q: As well as Dundee you have coached at GB and Scottish National level - what has been the most satisfying?

A: I have had some great footballing experiences. The coaching camps in Florida with the Claymores. DB coach with the GB 2002 EJC squad was memorable (and not because of the good old scottish weather either) and a number of years as DB coach with the Scotland Youth team.

The scottish wins against England are definitely up there.

This current season with the Hurricanes has been my biggest highlight and Im sure all the guys at the team will say exactly the same.

I have been privileged to make this voyage with a number of players and coaches who I first coached when they started playing football with the Storm in 1993.

It has been great to see these players all contributing in the success we have had this year. Since our only loss to Merseyside in July, we come together as a team.

Defensively we have improved greatly, which I'm really happy with. Our 2 play-off wins have been a testament to the belief and desire the guys have to succeed, Especially our result against the Titans.

This whole 2007 experience has been a memorable journey for me, as I will soon be moving to Australia. This 2007 season was my farewell tour.

Q: Dundee have undergone a number of transformations since the early SGA days, what has been the main differences since the Dundee side that took on EK for the SGA title all those years ago.

A:  There are only have 3 players left from those days. The rest of the current Hurricanes squad have come through the original Storm squad or been attracted to playing by past and present players, staff or supporters.

The Hurricanes are better organised now, than the Whalers were then. Thats done to Charlie Campbell, other members of the committee and helpers.

The Whalers had no grassroots programme to bolster their roster each year and although the Hurricanes let that slip slightly too, there are now a bunch of kids playing flag who are about to start kitted football. They are only a couple of years off stepping into the senior ranks.

Q: This has been Dundee 's first UK final how does it feel that your side will be flying the national flag at Sheffield at DVS.

A: I am really happy for the guys, specially for the players I  coached throughout the Dundee Storm and now at the Hurricanes.

Got to give big credit to HC Alex Brannan and GM Charlie Cambell. 

They are the men that gave me the opportunity to come back and coach at the Canes. Its both their perseverence and effort that has helped put the lads in this position to succeed.

Its a real pity West Coast (Trojans)couldnt make it down too. Would have been a hell of a weekend.

But I know our lads will give a great account of themselves in Sheffield. I am very confident that the lads will give their all and if its good enough to win the Div 2 crown, then great.

Q: What have been the key factors behind the team's success this year?

A: Most outsiders would immediately say Dooma has been the reason. Thats not the case.

Without a doubt Dooma has been in great form and put up some fantastic numbers offensively.

The OL has been in great form. Bruce Thomson has done a great job at QB for us too.

Some great running from Dooma's running partner, FB Mat Villa. We havent had any standout performances on Defense, they have just been a good unit who now trust each other to take care of their own responsibilities.

If I was to put my finger on it, it would be the tight bond and mutual respect they all have for each other.

Most of them have known each other for over 10 years. Any new players have been warmly welcomed into the club and settle into the Hurricane way very quickly.

Q: Everybody - including us have been talking about Dooma's performance on the field this year, but it would be fair to say that you have other weapons that can have an impact on the game?

A: Dooma has been great, and what I like about him is his modestly and humble attitude to it all.

He would be the first to point out that his backfield buddy, Mat Villa has contributed this year and the OL have blocked really well for them both.

We also have a couple of quality young WR's in Mike Evans and Darren Henderson. We also have experience in TE Stewart Adam.

QB Bruce Thomson also has a strong arm and can get the ball downfield through the air and on the ground.

Defensively we have a strong unit, with GB squad member SS Fraser Thomson and former GB Youth standout Ryan Crighton at CB. Not only are they a threat on the defense, but on offense and special teams too.

Q: How do you see the final going?

A: I believe we have a chance to win it. Norwich have played in the finals before, but I know how dangerous our offense can be. Im sure it will be giving the Norwich nightmares, trying to figure out how to stop it.

No opposing defense has managed to do it so far. Defensively I know they like to play a singleback offense, which should actually suit us.

We have the guys that will match up well against that type of offense. They have an OL that can move a little, they like to pull and trap. So again, we should match up well against that. Im confident that when that final whistle blows, Dundee's name will be on the Div 2 trophy

Q: What would it mean to the Hurricanes if they get their names on the trophy at DVS.

A: After just missing out on the Div 2 final in 2004 against eventual winners Doncaster, the guys were gutted they went out.

They managed to qualified for the subsequent play-offs in 2005 & 2006. Losing out in the quarter-finals, on both occasions to Coventry and Redditch respectively.

Even after those losses, that belief never left them. Even if they dont lift the trophy, the guys have done exactly what they knew they were capable of achieving.

They all know they are good enough to lift that trophy, and I see no reason why they wont lift it.

Q: Do you think the attitude of the Scottish game might change down south that there is more to Scottish Football than East Kilbride Pirates and West Coast Trojans.

A: I dont think that will ever change. The Northern teams respect the game in Scotland, because the experience it during the regular season and into the play-offs.

The teams in the south probably dont even know where or how to get to Dundee anyway. It doent matter to us or any of the other scottish teams what southern teams think.

We all let the football do the talking.

Q: How strong do you think the game is up here compared to a few years ago.

A: Took a dip a couple of years back. Slowly starting to show some live again at grassroots level, with better informed folks running their respective programmes.

I dont think Scotland could live with another senior team though, although one in Inverness is long overdue.

Its good to see grassroots football continuing to grow. but needs more help from the current and retired players to sustain that growth. They're the future!!

Q: What changes - if any would you like to see happening

A: Inclusion into the schools. I have experienced this at first hand. The schools are screaming out for new activites.

The clubs dont have the money to capitalise on that need and the schools and educational authorities dont have or cant spend the money.

If the teams can find money to appoint their own officers to deliver football to the schools, there would be such a knock on effect to the game.

Q: How gutted are you that you wont be at the final.

A: I wasnt actually planning on coaching this year, thats why the family holiday was booked in January.

I only intended coaching at Edinburgh Uni and then go back and play flag football at Kirkcaldy over the summer.

When I got asked to take on the role of Def Co-ordinator at Dundee for this season, I felt some unfinished business could be achieved, after the Edinburgh Uni experience.

I knew when I took on this role that if Dundee made it to the final, I wouldnt make it. Although my wife, Karen did say If I can get an affordable flight home for that weekend, then to go and book it.

Unfortunately they were either too expensive or I was away from my family for far too long, and I was not prepared to do either.

Gutted?? You better believe it!! I got a bit emotional after the semi's, because I knew I couldnt make it and it was my last game coaching.  

Its not just a showcase for the players, the coaches have played their part too. Is only natural that you would wish to participate in such a final, either as a player or coach.

I also have to face up to the reality that I could make a difference to the outcome of this game.

Q: Next month there will be an historic NFL game at Wembley, how do you think that the game will benefit up here from this.

A: Im not sure what the result of that will be. I think if if it does benefit the game, it will be at grassroot level. These are the kind of events that get the kids interested in playing.

When the Claymores were in existance, it was the grassroots that benefitted the most. Of course the senior game has now benfitted from the knock on effect of theses kids wanting to play 

There are many examples of players and coaches playing their trade at senior and youth teams, who have came through from that period.

The BBC, Ch 5 and Sky Sports are covering this game, the hope is that the whole game will benefit in this country. I guess we will just have to wait and see if it benefits the game in the same way as the Claymores and London Monarchs did.