Great Britain national American football team

Great Britain national American football team
Name GB Lions National Team
Federation IFAF Europe
Region Europe
Founded 1985
Color White, Blue, Red, Gold.
Head Coach Michael Callan
First international
 United Kingdom 7–0  France
(Walton-on-Thames, United Kingdom; 29 September 1985)
Biggest win
 United Kingdom 58–2  France
(Dunkirk, France; 22 March 1987)
Biggest defeat
 United Kingdom 0–50  France
(Wetzlar, Germany; 27 July 2010)

The Great Britain national American football team, known as the GB Lions represents the UK in international gridiron. It is controlled by the British American Football Association.

Men's Senior Team

History

The Men's Senior GB Lions played their first game against France in 1985 at Stompond Lane. 2,000 attendees watched GB claim a 7-0 win thanks to a Victor Ebubedike touchdown.[1] In 1986 and 1987, the Lions defeated the Netherlands and France over two legs each to qualify for the 1987 European Championship.[2]

At their first major tournament, the Lions were defeated by Italy and Finland on their way to a 4th-place finish.[3]

In 1989, they defeated France on the way to qualifying to their second consecutive championship. They defeated hosts Germany comprehensively in the semi-final thanks to Victor Ebubedike, Trevor Carthy and Allan Brown, who scored two touchdowns each in a 38-6 victory. The Terry Smith-led Lions met Finland in the final and got revenge for the 1987 defeat by shutting their rivals out in a 26-0 victory to claim their first European championship.[4]

In 1991, the Lions, led by London Monarchs assistant Ray Willsey returned to defend their championship in Helsinki. After defeating the Netherlands 46-3 in the semi-final, they again met Finland in the Olympic Stadium and won 14-3 to claim back to back championships. 9 Lions; Tournament MVP Jason Elliott, Barry Driver, Mark Webb, Jo Richardson, Colin Nash, Paul Roberts, Warren Billingham, Gary Mills and Bola Ayiede.[5]

In 1993, BAFA withdrew from the EFL and as such the Lions could not defend their title at the 1993 European Championships in Italy. In preparation for the 1995 European Championships in Austria, they defeated Ireland, but after Germany sensationally withdrew from the tournament, the Lions were hastily scheduled to play Ukraine away and potentially two further games in Austria within the space of eight days. Unable to handle the logistics, the Lions pulled out of the 1995 championships.[6]

In 1997, the Lions returned to European competition, defeating Spain in Estadio La Peineta to qualify for the European Championships. In the semi-final, they lost 14-7 to Finland, and were defeated 24-6 by Finland in the third/fourth place playoff.[7]

After the 1999 European Championships were suspended, the Lions were invited to take part in the inaugural IFAF World Championship but declined the offer. Ahead of the 2000 European Championship, head coach Riq Ayub resigned, and the Lions were again defeated by Finland.

In 2001, the Lions defeated Spain to qualify for the European Championships, where they expected to receive a semi-final bye after the disqualification of Germany. However, following a successful appeal, Germany were reinstated into the tournament and would face the Lions in the semi-final. Unable to fulfill the fixture at such short notice, the Lions were expelled from the tournament.[8]

Following a reformatting of the European Championships, the 2005 Championship saw nations divided into three pools. In 2004, The Lions were placed in Pool B, and defeated Russia, Spain and France to win their pool, and qualify for Pool A of the championship. The Lions were defeated by the visiting Centre Colonels from Kentucky at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, and were shut out by the one-seeded German team in the semi-final. In the bronze medal match, they were defeated by Finland 34-12.[9]

In 2009, the Lions were defeated in a friendly by Australia but defeated reigning European champions Sweden in their next game.[10] In the 2010 European Championships, the Lions were defeated by France, Sweden and Finland, scoring only 11 points on their way to a 6th-place finish.[11] The Lions did not compete in the 2014 Championships.

European Championship Record

Year Position GP W L PF PA
Italy 1985Did Not Participate
Finland 19874th2023354
Germany 19891st220646
Finland 19911st220637
Italy 1993Did Not Participate
Austria 1995Did Not Participate
Italy 19974th2021348
Germany 2000n/a101934
Germany 2001Expelled From Tournament
Sweden 20054th2021268
Germany 20106th3031196
Austria 2014Did Not Participate

Personnel

Staff

Head Coach

  • Head Coach: Mike Callan

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator: Tony Athersmith
  • Offensive Line: Anthony Fitzpatrick
  • Wide Receivers: Stuart Miller
  • Running Backs: Paul Cooper
  • Offensive Assistants: Toby Chesters, Ben Barker, Neale McMaster & Greg Adam

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator: Wayne Hill
  • Defensive Line: Paul Summers
  • Linebackers: Ross Templeton
  • Defensive Backs: Martin Hilton
  • Defensive Assistant: Simon Hatcher, Kit Lawson, Maxwell Petijan & Andy Starling

Special Teams Coaches

  • Special Teams Assistant: Aston Ellington

Others

  • Medical Staff: Beverly Analuwa, Sarah Harrison, Lara Natasha Gargiluo and Marieke Das
  • Operations Manager: Tom Kharchi

Roster

GB Lions Men's Senior Roster - 2016 European Championship Qualifiers

Quarterbacks

Running Backs & Full Backs

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs


Final Roster for the 2016 European Championship Qualifiers.[12]

GB Students

History

GB Students were originally founded in 1993 as a BCAFL "Allstars" team, coached by Damian Bayford from the University of Leeds. They were renamed the Bulldogs in the mid-1990s and mostly played touring teams.[13]

After falling under the remit of BUCS in 2008, the governing body refused to sanction entry into the 2014 FISU World Championships.[14]

Due to financial limitations and administrative errors, blamed on both BAFA and BUCS, it was announced there would be no GB Students team at the 2016 World Championships in Mexico, which resulted in the resignation of head coach, Wayne Hill.[15][16]

Personnel

Staff

Managers

  • Team Manager: Greg Freeman

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator: Tony Athersmith
  • Quarterbacks: Ryan Baker
  • Offensive Line: Paul Sheratt
  • Wide Receivers: James Hossack
  • Running Backs: Jay Alexander

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator: Pete Laird
  • Defensive Line: Paul Summers
  • Linebackers: Simon Hatcher
  • Defensive Backs: Kit Lawson

Other

  • Strength & Conditioning: Fabrizio Gargiulo

Roster

GB Students Roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs & Full Backs

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs


Final Roster for the 2015 Friendly vs Finland[17]

Under-19 Team

The Great Britain U-19 American Football team represent the nation in international competition of youth American Football.

Personnel

Staff

Head Coach

  • Head Coach: Damian Anderson

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator: Graham Kelly
  • Quarterbacks: Jon Rooney
  • Offensive Line: Ben Johnson
  • Wide Receivers: Justin Smith
  • Running Backs: Rob Orr

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator: Scott Rowe
  • Defensive Line: Shola Guppy
  • Defensive Backs: Adam Biggs

Other

  • Special Teams: Kenny McPhail
  • Assistant Coaches: Marcus Roome, Tom Worrall, Danny Ketch & Duncan Burford

Roster

GB U19 Roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs & Full Backs

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs


Final Roster for the IFAF Europe Men’s U19 European Championship 2015 Qualification Tournament[18]

Women's Team

The Great Britain Women's Team were founded in 2012 and represent the nation in Women's American football.[19] In the 2015 European Championships, the team finished as runners-up, losing to Finland 50-12, their first ever defeat, in the final.[20]

Personnel

Staff

Head Coach

  • Head Coach: Jim Messenger

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator: Jamie Kilby
  • Offensive Line: Jon Maisey
  • Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks: Sammy-Lee Baker

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator: Richard Ward
  • Defensive Line: Luke Plastow
  • Defensive Backs: Gareth Ellison

Other

  • Special Teams: James Branagh
  • Therapist: Lara Inge

Roster

GB Women's Roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs & Full Backs

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Offensive Line

Defensive Line

Linebackers

Defensive Backs


Final Roster for the 2015 Women's European Championships

Flag Football

BAFA also runs three flag football teams for men, women and under-19s.[21]

Men's Senior Flag Team

Personnel

Staff

Head Coach

  • Head Coach: Alan Young

Assistant Coaches

  • Assistant Coach: Jimmy Thompson
  • Assistant Coach: Lindsey Robson

Other

  • Physio: Steph Walker
  • Team Manager: Mike Scott
Roster
GB Women's Roster
  • Kehinde Bello – London Rebels
  • Jeff Bond – Aylesbury Vale Spartans
  • Michael Bradley-Banszki – Farnham Knights
  • Richard Cooling – London Rebels
  • Jamie Doak – Glasgow Hornets
  • Gary Elliott – Aberdeen Oilcats
  • Julian Holburn-White – Glasgow Hornets
  • Brian McFerren – East Kilbride Pirates
  • Drew Newiss – Birmingham Lions
  • Calvin Tarlton – London Rebels
  • Dean Whittingslow – Sheffield Predators
  • Matt Wilkinson – Manchester Crows
  • Chris Winrow – Leeds Bobcats
  • Kevin Woods – Grangemouth Broncos
  • Calum Young – Aberdeen Oilcats


Final Roster for the 2016 World Flag Football Championships

References

External links

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