I went from the floor to the ceiling in 20 seconds (From Bucks Free Press)

Wolves coach lands GB coaching job

4:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in Sport By Alan Feldberg

SAM McKee’s head must still be swirling.

Just before Christmas the head coach of Marlow Wolves became a father for the first time, and now he’s celebrating his call-up to the Great Britain coaching set-up.

McKee’s daughters Charis and Joey arrived way ahead of schedule on December 22.

They weren’t expected until February and have only recently left the hospital.

But their eagerness was perhaps predictable – their 29-year-old dad has been ahead of schedule too ever since forming Marlow Wolves five years ago.

A host of Britbowl championships have followed and the club are well on course to realising his ambition to make them the powerbase of American Football in the south of England.

And now his good work has been recognised by the British American Football Association, who have named him defence co-ordinator for the U15s ahead of the European Championships this summer.

McKee was actually a hair’s breadth away from getting the top job, but lost out to Adam Spanswick of Woodham Warriors.

He said: “I was doing cartwheels in my house after I got the call.

“They were actually a bit sneaky though. They said they weren’t going to give me an interview this time and I thought, oh man, I haven’t even got an interview.

“But then he said they were just going to give me job outright.

“I went from the floor to the ceiling in about 20 seconds.

“I’d actually gone into the utility room to hide, but then I came bursting out after they’d given me the news.

“It was one of the happiest days of my life – I’m so proud to be a Lion this summer.”

McKee didn’t wait a moment to use his promotion for the benefit of his club though.

He said: “I told my players the next day to make sure I’m not the only Wolf playing in the Euros next summer.

“Some of them can definitely get there, they’re peaking at the right time.”

Training has already resumed ahead of the new campaign and this year Wolves plan to run four teams instead of three.

Numbers are promising, with more than 60 turning up at their first pre-season training session last week.

McKee said: “I always said within five years I wanted a Wolf to be representing their country, I just didn’t think I’d be the first one. It’s been a heck of a month.”

Meanwhile, Six Marlow Wolves played for the South in the All-star game against the North last month.

Eddie Ntahira, Charlie Clymo, Jordan Barrass, Callum Dean, Dan Ramsdale and Jacob all helped the South to an emphatic 48-6 win at Coventry.