Jets continue to build
Coventry continue to pick up young talent as they prepare for their 2012 season opener at the Nottingham Caesars. Their latest addition is another Youth Academy prospect in the shape of Alex Preece. The speedy wide receiver not only has two years experience in the Juniors, including being named player of the year in his 2010 debut season, but has just completed his first year with the Lincoln Colonials of the British Universities American Football League.
Preece’s achievements also include being named the Jets Special Teams Player of the Year last season and he’ll be expected to contribute there straightaway for what was one of the weakest parts of the Jets seniors in 2011. “Alex is a very committed young man” said Head Coach Paul Rickhuss “he has great speed and an explosive burst that will trouble defenders.”
Those qualities, combined with his raw athleticism, have seen Preece named in the Great Britain Junior squad. “I am ecstatic to be a part of the Great Britain Program and see it as a great step in my progression in the sport” said Preece, continuing “I hope to be a part of a successful season and have as big an impact with the Seniors as possible. I am proud to just be a part of this organisation, let alone be trusted to take the field with them.”
A Student of Sports Business Management, the 19 year old Preece is itching to get started “I’m very happy and exited to move on from the Junior team to bigger and better things. Obviously there’ll be more of a spotlight on me now and that brings its own pressures but I can’t wait to experience another level of football. I’m eager to show off my skills to the coaches and let them make an informed decision into how much they believe I can contribute to this seasons football. I have always been a part of the Jets and am fully committed to the team and looking to give 110% to make sure my contribution is as valuable as possible.”
“The team has a lot of big characters and I feel that, with a lot of my team-mates and friends stepping into the senior team with me, I can fit in nicely. The coaches are very committed to making this team progress as far as possible and I respect that immensely. I especially enjoy the professionalism of the Coventry Jets and believe it is heading to big things in its future. I’m proud of my involvement in every team that I’ve played in and proud of every team’s performance that I have been a part of. I don’t take the effort put in by my team mates and coaches for granted, they’re all working hard to help me and the team progress.”
“Obviously having spent two years straight in the junior set-up I became very comfortable being coached by senior players such as Adam Biggs and Kieran McManus” said the chatty Balsall Common native “witnessing them create the team from scratch and coach it to success in only two seasons filled me with a huge amount of respect for them and it is going to be great to join them on the field in the same uniform.”
