Ingredients

After forming in early 2022, The Steel River Stingrays have spent the last year preparing for their inaugural season in the British American Flag Football league. In preparation for this national competition, the Stingrays have welcomed both seasoned veterans and complete rookies to put on a set of flags and give the sport a try for themselves, and the results have been astounding.

“We’ve been really successful in our recruitment” says Rob Fodor, Head Coach of the Steel River Stingrays. “I think a lot of that comes down to the growing popularity of the NFL in the UK. So many people watch American Football now that obviously more and more people decide they want to give it a try. We’re here for them when they make that decision”.

To the uninitiated, American Football can be a confusing concept, but the aim of the game in both the full-contact and flag variants of the sport is a simple one. Two teams take to the field and compete to score more touchdowns than their opponents by getting the football into an end-zone.

The biggest difference in flag football is that tackling is completed by “flagging” an opponent (or snatching a flag from around their waist).

“This makes our version of the game really attractive to newcomers” Offensive Coordinator Drew Magnet says. “Being non-contact eliminates the need for expensive pads and helmets that are necessary for a full contact game and can cost people thousands of pounds to buy. Flag football makes the sport accessible to just about anyone and also eliminates a lot of the injury risk associated with the full contact version of the game”.

Flag Football teams are smaller than full contact teams, taking on a 5-a-side format rather than 11-a-side and, in the absence of physical tackling, training and tournaments can take place indoors, which is very welcome given the UK’s temperamental climate.

It was this ability to train indoors that saw The Stingrays find a home in Middlesbrough Football Club’s Herlingshaw centre. Each Sunday between 10am and 12pm, the team train on a state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound 4G pitch, shielded from the weather conditions that would see most team’s training sessions cancelled throughout the winter. Throughout the year, the team have attractive sponsorship from a slew of local businesses which means players enjoy team membership with only minimal financial input from themselves. Ultimately, there has never been an easier time to start playing American football in the North East.

“Give it a try”, Rob told us in response to what he would say to someone unsure about stepping onto the field. “We have players of all abilities, genders and ages who train with us, so you really have no excuse not to! We’re a really inclusive team and we’re eager to grow the game in the UK. If you ever wanted to play American Football, now is the time”.

8th February - 7:30pm - Gala Theatre, Durham

Join the DULOG theatre company at their production of Hello, Dolly! This golden age classic is packed with comedy and songs you’re sure to know, that will make you leave the theatre ready to conquer the town. The cast promises to be full of Durham University’s most promising performers, all of whom are aspiring for a career in the Arts after completing their degree. To book your tickets, head over to the Gala Theatre’s website: galadurham.co.uk/galapost/hello-dolly

11th February - 12pm - Hallgarth the Manor House, High Pittington

If you’re making Valentine’s Day all about the girls, you definitely need to book a table for bottomless brunch at The Manor House. Enjoy bottomless drinks and pizza for three hours, as well as live entertainment and a lot of love from the people who mean the most to you. Pre-booking is essential for this event, so make sure you secure your table today: hallgarthdurham.co.uk/events

11th February - From 11:45am - The South Causey Inn, Stanley

There’s lots going on at the South Causey Inn, including a mouthwatering afternoon tea, suitable for the whole family. Indulge in three tiers of sweet treats and goodies, starting at the bottom with a selection of sandwiches, then moving up to a range of freshly baked scones with cream and jam, before finishing off with a whole host of sweet treats. Of course, the tea and coffee is free flowing, and there’s even a Valentine’s cocktail on the menu if you fancy. To book your space call 0120 723 5555 or email eat@southcausey.co.uk

15th February - 7:30pm - Empire Consett, Consett

If you’re a fan of popular music, this homage to the most influential and iconic guitarists from the past 50 years is not one you can miss. The Story of Guitar Heroes features some of the world's best musicians, as well as state-of-the-art video projection to tell the story of some of the most influential guitar players of our time. Enjoy music from some of the world’s best, including Eric Clapton, Brian May and Jimmy Page, when you book tickets to this one of a kind show: empireconsett.co.uk/galapost/the-story-of-guitar-heroes

16th February - 6:30pm - Durham Cathedral, Durham

Enjoy the most magical music cinema has to offer, performed by the London Film Music Orchestra, in one of the most enchanting venues County Durham has to offer. The programme for the evening is set to include music from E.T., Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Man of Steel and more! It’s certainly not one to be missed, so make sure you book a ticket for either the early or the late performance, via Eventbrite: eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-tribute-to-hans-zimmer-john-willi ams-by-candlelight

24th

If you’re looking for a free event for the family, you should definitely check out the fire and ice festival that’s coming to Durham City Centre this half term. For two days, you can enjoy a trail of themed Ice Sculptures, as well as live fire demonstrations scattered around the city, all concluded by an exciting finale at 6pm each day. As well as being completely free, this event also requires no booking, so make sure you keep up to date with the action packed schedule via Facebook, just search for Fire & Ice Durham 2023

Saturday 29th July - 11am - Newcastle Racecourse, Newcastle Irish singer and performer Ronan Keating is performing on Ladies Day at Newcastle Racecourse this summer. The former Boyzone member is known for hit singles with the band and as a solo artist, including “Love Me for a Reason”, “When You Say Nothing At All” and “Life Is A Roller Coaster.” His performance will take place after a glamorous day at the races so it’s the perfect excuse to dress up! General sale tickets are available now. Get yours before they sell out: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F005E2B998615AD