Sports Writing: Turkey Tackles American Football

Any visitor to Turkey knows that Turks love their sports. Few things breed more enmity or, conversely, bind more strongly than deep seated allegiances to the popular sports teams. Football, especially, is so popular that some fear to leave their houses on a game night between rival teams. However recently a new kind of Football has appeared in Turkey, one more familiar to citizens of the USA. In its brief history, American Football has stayed the heart and soul of American sports, but gained little popularity elsewhere in the world. However, the game is beginning to sprout up unexpectedly in Turkey as well. Zane P---- is assistant coach and manager to the Yıldız University Stallions, one of the few Istanbul Teams.

Q: How did American Football get started in Turkey?
A: About twelve years ago a young American man, who was also a former Football player, named Rob S---- was living in Turkey for two years. He began informally teaching the game to a group of young men attending Boğazıcı University. The game caught on at the university and from there began spreading to other universities in the city.

Q: How widespread is the game now?
A: Now there are 30 teams in almost every part of Turkey, divided into two levels much like our Division 1/Division 2 system in the States. American Football is now officially recognized by the Turkish Sports Federation, which regulates the games and provides referees.

Q: How did you personally get involved?
A: A guy in the gym where I lift weights began playing for the Yıldız team, and invited me to join! There are no eligibility rules, so even a 50 year old foreigner can play on the team. I declined, but was soon asked by the players to coach the team, totally based on the fact that I am American and grew up watching the sport. I served as interim head coach for a while, until I could find a full time coach with more experience.

Q: What was the condition of the team when you first became involved?
A: [laughs] The first time I ever saw them play, my analysis was that they only had problems with running the ball, throwing the ball, catching the ball, kicking the ball, blocking and tackling. Other than that they were fine!

Q: What is the general level of play you've seen from the Turkish teams.
A: Because the sport is so new and not very well known, no one here starts playing until they are in college, unlike the USA where they start from an early age. So the level of play is very low compared to US teams: a good high school team in the States could beat any team in the League. But they really enjoy it, and they aren't playing for the glory: unlike in the States, you don't gain social status from playing football. So they only play for the fun of it.

Q: What are the biggest challenges in coaching?
A: The lack of experience from the players, the lack of good practicing facilities and the poor physical condition of the guys: many have issues with weight, either being overweight or having the slight soccer-player's physique which isn't heavy enough for football, and almost all of them smoke. Also, we have difficulty getting equipment, and the reffing is extremely low quality. We once had a five hour game because the refs didn't know what to do, so they stopped the clock and deliberated between every single play.

Q: Especially considering Turkey's fanatical love of soccer, what attitudes toward American Football have you seen.
A: Well, the players love it! But again, it's not very popular--many people haven't even heard of it. We never have any spectators at games. Plus, many new players have a really hard time with the concept of tackling in the game: they are conditioned to think in terms of soccer and fouling penalties. But overall, those who are introduced to the sport, love playing it.