Northern Irish Super League 2025 Preview – KAPOW
KAPOW are set to begin their NI Super League title defence this weekend in Belfast, following a triumphant 2024 season where they secured the championship with 19 points. With 9 wins, 1 draw, and a narrow 2-point lead over Ballyhackamore, they reclaimed their status as the top team in Northern Ireland. Now, they look to continue their dominance while integrating new players and facing fresh challenges.
Reflection on Last Season
Peter Morrison reflected on KAPOW’s successful campaign: “Last season was overall a big success for us. Not just beating Ballyhack and taking back the NI men’s league title, but in my opinion with great performances deserving of the gold.” KAPOW also competed at the British Championships, where unforeseen circumstances left them playing with only five players in the early rounds. Morrison added, “Playing with 5 we weren’t able to progress to the knockouts, however, we had a couple of great performances – almost securing a win with 5 players, then beating Leamington Spartans when our full team arrived.” With a shifting squad in recent seasons, KAPOW proved they could still compete at the highest level, a mentality they aim to carry forward.
Preparation for the 2025 Season
The off-season has brought significant changes to KAPOW, with senior players stepping back and new signings coming in. “This season has seen a few of our senior players leave/take a more casual playing role at the club, and quite a few new signings coming into the club,” said Morrison. The team also saw a leadership change as former head coach and captain Sean Douglas stepped down. “He was a huge figure for us last season so is a big loss, however, it gives the chance for others in the team to step up and lead the team.” With a focus on integrating new players and solidifying their team dynamic, KAPOW took part in the NI Open as an early test. “The recent NI Open was a great first test for us and while we took home gold, we learnt a lot about what we need to do to step-up for the league season,” Morrison explained.
Goals and Expectations for 2025
KAPOW’s primary goal is to defend their NI Men’s Super League title, but they also have ambitions beyond domestic success. “Our goal is to retain the NI Men’s Super League title. Moving outside of NI, historically we haven’t performed too well in England, so we want to change that this season at British Champs,” Morrison stated. Their target is to progress out of the group stages for the first time and compete for the title. Morrison acknowledged the difficulty ahead: “We know it’s gonna be a tough season, having lost several key players. We’ll need to show the same mentality and belief we did last season as it won’t always be smooth sailing.”
The NI Super League kicks off this Saturday in Belfast, with KAPOW looking to start their title defence strong. With key departures, new signings, and a hunger to prove themselves on the British stage, all eyes will be on how they perform in the opening weekend. Super League Dodgeball is back in NI, and KAPOW are ready to rise to the challenge once more.
