Pushing Boundaries in Sealand Sport
I’ve always loved doing new things, especially things no one else has done before.
So the idea came naturally:
Send three teams to three different countries, playing three games, on the same weekend.
No one had done it before.
So we did.
February 2023: A Historic Weekend for Sealand
On 18th–19th February 2023, three teams representing the Principality of Sealand set off across Europe:
- Nationals → Iceland 🇮🇸
- Masters → Northern Ireland 🇬🇧
- Women’s Team → Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
It was ambitious. It was chaotic.
And it was always going to be a learning experience.
The Nationals in Iceland
Still recovering from a tough outing in Montpellier, the Nationals headed to Reykjavik to face the Einherjar, the only American football team in Iceland.
Having played there before in 2017, I knew what to expect:
- A unique indoor dome setting
- A strong, disciplined opponent
- A proper test
But this time, things were different.
With players spread across multiple squads, the Nationals arrived with a reduced roster and limited coaching support, something that would prove costly.
The Masters in Northern Ireland
After Montpellier, the Masters had found something special:
- Identity
- Purpose
- A genuine sense of team
They travelled to Coleraine to work with the Causeway Giants, led by Head Coach Conan Jal.
The plan:
- Saturday: Coaching and development session
- Sunday: A competitive game
It wasn’t just about playing, it was about sharing knowledge and building connections.
The Women’s Team in Bordeaux
Women’s American football in the UK has often felt limited - “GB or nothing.”
That didn’t sit right.
So we built something new.
A Sealand Women’s team, bringing together players from across the UK, trained together in Milton Keynes, alongside over 100 players from the Masters and Nationals squads.
From there, they travelled to Bordeaux to face the Bordeaux Lions in their first outing.
A brand new team. A brand new chapter.
The Reality of Running Three Teams
Here’s the truth:
Just because you can do something… doesn’t mean you should.
Coordinating:
- Kit
- Travel
- Coaching staff
- Communication across three countries
It was relentless.
While I was in Northern Ireland with the Masters, I was also:
- Directing players in Iceland via phone
- Relaying messages from stadium staff
- Coordinating logistics across multiple locations
At times, it felt like spinning plates, except the plates were hundreds of miles apart.
Results Across the Weekend
Iceland
The Nationals fell to a narrow 28-16 defeat, a tough result that highlighted the impact of a stretched squad.
Bordeaux
The Women’s team also came away with a loss, 48-22. but delivered a strong performance and laid the foundations for the future.
Northern Ireland
The Masters capped off the weekend with a fantastic performance against the Causeway Giants, securing a 44-0 win in a brilliant, high-spirited game.
The Giants would go on to have their best season yet, making the finals.
Did we play a part in that?
Let’s just say we did.
Lessons Learned
On paper, it worked.
Three teams. Three countries. Three games.
But personally, it was one of the biggest learning experiences since starting the Seahawks.
Not being physically present with each team mattered.
When I’m there, I can fix problems instantly.
From a distance, you’re relying on messages, signals, and hoping everything lands the way it should.
And sometimes, it doesn’t.
The Aftermath
The impact of the weekend was different for each team:
- Masters & Women’s Teams: Stronger bonds, deeper connections
- Nationals: A wake-up call that led to a full squad overhaul
It was tough, but necessary.
What Came Next?
That summer, things moved quickly:
- The Masters and Women’s teams headed to Guadalajara, Spain
- A rebuilt “new look” Nationals squad travelled to Palma, Mallorca to face the Voltors
Because with Sealand, it’s never about standing still.
It’s always:
What’s next?
🌍 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 or our other page Life After the Locker Room talking about players getting older and how they deal with retirement.
🪪 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
