A New Look Masters and Womens Squad

Following the challenges of Iceland, France, and Northern Ireland, it was clear that change was needed.

An open tryout session in Bristol brought in 47 new players, almost completely overhauling the Nationals squad and strengthening both the Masters and Women’s teams.

This wasn’t just a rebuild, it was a reset. 

Heading to Guadalajara

Working with Alejandro of the Guadalajara Stings, we locked in 23rd September 2023 for a European tour stop in Spain.

This wasn’t just one game:

• Seahawks Masters vs Guadalajara Stings
• Seahawks Women vs Stings Women

And behind the scenes, another story was unfolding. 

A Career Launch

This trip marked the beginning of something big for Nationals captain Stuart Edwards.

Travelling to Guadalajara, Stu took on a role as defensive coordinator for the Stings while also playing.

Since then, his journey has taken him:

• Back to Guadalajara for another season,
• To Canada with the Cold Lake Fighter Jets,
• To Germany, playing in GFL1 with the Straubing Spiders

Representing Sealand every step of the way. 

The Longest Game Day

Logistically, this trip was chaos.

• Training took place in one location
• Matchday prep happened in another
• The games themselves were in a third

A fleet of hire cars kept everything moving, but it made for one of the longest days in Sealand history.

Game One: Women’s Team Show Their Strength

The Seahawks Women took to the field first.

Early on, the Stings, boosted by Spanish national players, struck quickly, putting points on the board.

But the Seahawks didn’t fold.

They fought back, found their rhythm, and got themselves into the game.

Then something completely unexpected happened.

In a moment none of us had seen before, the Stings Women’s Head Coach entered the field during the fourth quarter to dispute a tackle, and shortly after, the team withdrew from the game.

The result:

Seahawks Women win by default.

Unusual? Definitely.
Memorable? Absolutely.

Game Two: Masters Take Control

Next up, the Masters.

From the start, it was clear where this was going.

The run game dominated:

• Jermaine Allen leading the charge
• Big run plays crashing through the defence

And when we reached the goal line?

Out came “Big Dog”—a heavy offensive set designed to do one thing:

Run straight through the opposition.

It’s not pretty.

But it works.

Final Score: 34–6 to the Seahawks Masters

Football Without Borders

One of the best parts of the trip?

Players crossing sides to keep the game alive.

• Steve Cox (Nationals receiver) stepped in for the Stings and scored the first ever touchdown against us!
• Danny Castle joined the Stings defensive line before later becoming part of the Nationals setup. 

That’s what this is about:
👉 Opportunity
👉 Experience
👉 Community

The Aftermath: From Burnout to Celebration

After the games, we headed into central Guadalajara.

The Stings had organised a party in the main square:

• Food
• Drinks
• Music

For a moment, it felt like we were celebrities.

For me?

I was exhausted.

Completely burnt out after one of the most intense days we’d ever put together.

Meanwhile, the rest of the squad carried on into the night, two bars, plenty of stories, and I saw some of the lads involved in a dangerous game of 'Never Have I Ever.'

What Comes Next?

Even after all that, my mind was already moving forward.

Next stop:

Palma, Mallorca.

A new-look Nationals squad.

A chance for redemption after Montpellier and Reykjavik.

The question was simple:

Could we bounce back?

🌍 Join the Sealand Journey

Sealand is more than a place—it’s a growing global community built on independence, creativity, and doing things differently.

From international sport to new ideas and events, this is just the beginning.

If you want to follow the journey, see what’s coming next, and be part of the story:

📲 Follow Sealand Sport

Stay up to date with teams, tours, events, and everything happening behind the scenes:
Facebook • Instagram → Sealand Sports

🪪 Become an e-Citizen

Join the Principality of Sealand as an official supporter and be part of a unique global community:
👉 https://sealandgov.org/products/become-a-sealand-e-citizen

- Mike Ireland, Minister for Sports and Culture.