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Manchester Wolves update

February 21, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release


WOLVES COMING TO A PLAYSTATION2 NEAR YOU!

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The arenafootball2 league is now "in the game."

When the new EA SPORTS™ Arena Football video game titled Arena Football™: Road to Glory hits stores nationwide tomorrow, February 22, 2007, fans of the af2 will be able to play as their favorite af2 franchise (The Manchester Wolves) for the first time ever. The game could even be available as early as today in select markets.

"We're thrilled to be a part of the new EA Arena Football™: Road to Glory video game," said af2 President Jerry Kurz. "This is truly a momentous occasion for our league. Last year's version of the game was a great success, and now, with the af2's presence included as well, I believe this year's model will be even more popular. I know a lot of our fans can't wait to go out and buy a copy."

Arena Football: Road to Glory, the only Arena Football game available to fans of this unique sport, brings to life the excitement and experience of hard-hitting, high-scoring intensity of 50-yard goal line-to-goal line battles. The game is available on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

From the af2 to the AFL, including classic historical squads, more than 80 teams will be made available in Arena Football: Road to Glory. Players can take the af2 circuit by storm by winning the ArenaCup and then export their players into the AFL and set their sights on an ArenaBowl championship. In Arena Football: Road to Glory, the player will have Total Offense Control. They can now pick apart defenders with their star receiver, while using the right analog stick to help the quarterback find passing lanes and avoid the rush. Gamers will also enjoy tackling their toughest rivals with huge hits that send players into-and over-the walls.

"Adding the af2 teams into Arena Football: Road to Glory was a natural extension of the Arena Football experience," said Executive Producer Jon Dean. "This year's game now allows af2 fans to play as their favorite team and export their players into AFL rosters."

Arena Football: Road to Glory is rated "E10+" (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $29.99 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. The game's official website is www.easports.com/afl2.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies.

EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

To see the two sample Manchester Wolves screen shots go to www.manchesterwolves.com.

About af2

With its eighth season set to begin on March 29 with 30 member teams, af2 serves as a vehicle to bring Arena Football to small to midsize cities and as a developmental league with an unmatched history of sending players, coaches and officials to major professional football leagues each year. af2 operates under the same Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights as the Arena Football League. Log on to www.af2.com for more information.

About Arena Football League

Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League begins its 21st season in March with 19 teams as it enters a five-year media partnership with ESPN. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is the second-longest running football league in U.S. history.

WOLVES LINE UP ASSISTANT COACHES

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The Manchester Wolves arenafootball2 team are proud to announce that assistant coaches Ryan Ray and Mark Page will return to manage the offensive and defensive line duties, along with new strength and conditioning coach Joil Bergeron for the 2007 season.

Ray, a Manchester native, will enter his third season with the Manchester Wolves as their Offensive/Defensive Line Coach. Ray's 2006 offensive line led the arenafootball2 league in least sacks allowed with a near record-low of five.

Along with coaching the Wolves, Ray has spent the last ten years as a high school coach in New Hampshire, and the last nine as a Physical Education teacher at Highland Goffe's Falls Elementary school in Manchester. Ray is currently the new head coach for Central High School's "Little Green", where he led them to an 8-4 record and an impressive 31-14 Turkey Bowl victory over Manchester rival West High School during his first year at the helm in 2006.

Ray played for the University of Maine football team from 1992-1996 where he was a three-year starter on the offensive line. Prior to college he honed his playing skills locally at Manchester Memorial High School.

"Ryan and Mark have been great assets to the Wolves organization," said Wolves General Manager Angelo Mazzella. "They are both role models on and off the field and I'm extremely pleased to have them back representing the Wolves."

Page, a Londonderry native, will enter his fourth season with the Manchester Wolves as their Assistant Offensive/Defensive Line Coach. Page's main duties include working with the both the offensive and defensive lineman and helping Wolves Head Coach Ben Bennett recruit talent in the off-season. Page, who has two twin boys Mark and William, is also a decorated Londonderry police officer who started his career in law enforcement in 1982.

"I'm very fortunate to have coach Ray and Page back for a third season," said Bennett. "Continuity in any staff is very important, and these two guys are huge assets to this team."

Also joining the Manchester Wolves coaching staff will be first-year coach Joil Bergeron.

Joil Bergeron, MS, CSCS*D, will enter his first season with the Manchester Wolves as their Strength and Conditioning Coach. Bergeron is currently the owner of Next Level Performance LLC (www.gonextllc.com), a sports performance, high school athletic recruiting, and multimedia company based in Manchester. Previously, Bergeron worked at Florida International University for four years as the multi-events coach for the track team and a university instructor teaching sport science.

Bergeron has been involved in athletics and the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years as an athlete, coach, personal trainer, university instructor, and workshop facilitator. He has been a conference lecturer for organizations such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Arnold Strength Training Summit, and East Coast Alliance. Bergeron holds a master's degree in exercise and sports science with a concentration in strength and conditioning from FIU, and a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of New Hampshire, where he competed for four years on the track team.

MANCHESTER WOLVES TRYOUT CAMP

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Sunday, February 25, the Manchester Wolves (arenafootball2) will be holding their second and final tryout in preparations for the 2007 season at the Bedford's Rising Stars Sports Complex.

Registration will be conducted at 7:30am with the tryout starting promptly at 8:00 a.m. and all members of the media are invited to attend.

So far the Wolves have found over 11 players from their open tryout camps that have made it to their training camp and four players that have gone from the tryout field to Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The first, Ron Smalls, was signed after the Wolves first open tryout leading up to their 2005 season. Smalls (5'9",175), a defensive specialist from Morehouse, would play in all 17 games in 2005 and 10 games in 2006, collecting a total of 98.5 total tackles, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles - one for touchdown. The second, David Bailey, was signed after the Wolves second open tryout in 2005. Bailey (5'8", 170), a wide receiver/defensive back, joined the Wolves in late June after he graduated from the University of New Hampshire and played in five games in 2005 and 10 games in 2006, catching 75 balls for 816 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense while tallying 26.5 total tackles and one interception on defense. The third, Ari Confesor, opened the eyes of the Wolves brass after an excellent open tryout performance in 2005. Confesor (5-11, 175), a wide receiver from Holy Cross, would sign one year later and play seven games for the Wolves in 2006, collecting 24 receptions for 410 yards and 10 touchdowns. The fourth, Mike Abate, was signed after the Wolves first open tryout in 2005 leading up to the 2006 season. Abate (6'3", 240), a quarterback from Southern Connecticut State, made it through training camp and the first two 2006 regular season games last season before being released. The most recent, Shawn Brady (Northeastern University), was signed after a strong performance in the Wolves first open tryout in November. Brady (6'2, 205), is currently the only quarterback on the Wolves 2007 training camp roster.

Participants will complete in any drills that are done at professional football combines or tryouts including but not limited to Short Shuttle, 40-Yard Dash, Broad Jump, One-on-One Drills and Position Drills.

The tryout will be held indoors on a synthetic surface. Directions to the Rising Stars facility can be found on the web at: www.nhrisingstars.com/directions.htm.

The Wolves will be entering their fourth season in Manchester playing on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena, training camp will start March 10, with the 2007 season kicking off during the last week of March (30-31st).

Don't miss another exciting season of Manchester Wolves football in 2007! For information on season tickets or merchandise, fans can contact the Wolves at 603.627.WOLF (9653) or visit them on the web at www.manchesterwolves.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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