AN American football club is bringing the sport to Darlington in the hope of finding fresh young talent to feed its teams.

The DC Presidents, who train in Peterlee and play in Durham, are holding rookie sessions at the Eastbourne Sports Complex starting on February 23.

Brian Carmichael, director of youth development for the Presidents, explained that the club wants to set up six ‘satellite teams’ across County Durham and Teesside.

These teams will compete against each other in a mini-league and the best players given the chance to progress to the DC’s youth and senior teams.

Mr Carmichael said: “American football used to be really quite popular in Darlington in the 1980s, so in a way we are bringing it back.

“It is about giving kids the opportunity to try a new sport, particularly those who don’t fit in to football or cricket because there’s a position for everyone in American football.

“Our rookie sessions are about getting kids motivated to get out and try the sport and to give them something to do on a Saturday morning instead of playing on their X-boxes.

“We also need to engage with parents because they are the ones who have to get the younger kids there.”

The sessions will run at the Eastbourne Sports Complex between 11.30am and 1.30pm on February 23, from 1.30pm to 3pm on March 2 and between 11.30am and 1.30pm on March 9.

They are open to anybody, male or female, between the ages of 11 and 19-years-old.

Contact Mr Carmichael on 07940 564455 to book a place and for more information.