Sheffield Giants
 | |
| Founded | 2008 (as Sheffield Predators) |
|---|---|
| League | BAFA National Leagues |
| Division | Premier Division North |
| Team history | Sheffield Predators (2008–2016) Sheffied Giants (2016–) |
| Location | Sheffield, South Yorkshire |
| Stadium | Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium |
| Colours | Black Helmets Sky Blue Jerseys Black Pants |
| Head coach | Toby Chesters |
| General manager | Dave Tidswell |
| Division titles | 1: 2012 |
| Playoff berths | 2: 2012, 2013 |
The Sheffield Giants are an American football team based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, that competes in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division North, the highest level of British American football. They operate from Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium and were formed in 2008 as the Sheffield Predators but re-branded to the Giants in 2016 in a nod to the Steel City Giants who folded in the 1980s. In 2012 they were crowned Division Two Bowl Champions after defeating the Peterborough Saxons at the Don Valley Stadium.
History[]
There have been a number of teams in and around the Sheffield area since the inception of American football in Britain.[1] The Steel City Giants were formed in the 1980s but soon folded in the same era. Until 2008, The Sheffield Tomahawks junior side were the only operating club in the City before The Predators were formed and after finishing their associate period, entered the BAFANL in 2010.[2][3] The Predators first season in Britball ended with a 0-10 record and finishing bottom of the National Central 2.[4]
During this time they have achieved a degree of success, primarily running the double-wing formation,[5] beating the Peterborough Saxons 39-33 in overtime to take home the Division 2 National Championship in 2012 at the Don Valley Stadium in their home town.
In 2014, the Predators announced a partnership with Structure Sport and Fitness Ltd, a gym in Sheffield, worth over £4000 annually.[6]
In 2016, the club was rebranded as the Sheffield Giants after an online voting poll by supporters and the British American Football.[7] The name change came following the teams decision to boost the appeal of the club, citing that the name "The Predators" was a negative name for attracting players from schools and universities[8]
Logos & Uniforms[]
The Predators logo was a stylised lion, the team played in gold jerseys with a black trim, and black game pants. The Giants rebrand in 2017 incorporated a full kit rebrand to black helmet, sky blue jerseys and black pants. The away jersey designed by Britballerz is black with sky blue numbers.
Home field[]
The Giants play their home games at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium a £10 million multi-sport development, which occupies part of the site of the former Don Valley Stadium. The club also use the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium as their training complex.
Youth Team[]
As well as the adult contact team, The Giants also operate both a flag football and youth contact team. This began in 2018 with a U16 contact team and has now grown to over 100 players at ages 7 to 19. They are currently recruiting for the non-contact U11, U14 and U17 'flag' teams, along with the U16 and U19 contact teams. All youth teams are inclusive and are mixed gender.
Coaching staff[]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Toby Chesters |
| Offensive Coordinator | Tom Moxon |
| Defensive Coordinator | Anthony Marsden |
| Special Teams Coordinator | Adam Lilley |
| Running Backs Coach | Toby Chesters |
| Offensive Line Coach | Si Byrne |
| Defensive Line Coach | Mark Cooper |
| Defensive Backs Coach | Matt Flynn |
| Defensive assistant coach | Henry Arechiga |
| Team Physiotherapist | Emma Wallace |
Roster[]
|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Receivers
|
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
|
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Kickers
|
Team Records[]
Complete records for the club under all three identities. 1986 to 1989 as Steel City Giants, 2010 to 2016 as Sheffield Predators and 2016 to present day for Sheffield Giants .[9]
| Year | Division | Wins | Losses | Ties | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 UKAFL | AFC East | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0.800 |
| 1987 Budweiser League | Southern | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0.000 |
| 1988 Budweiser League | Premier Division | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0.900 |
| 2010 BAFL | Division 2 Central | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0.000 |
| 2011 BAFANL | Division 2 Central | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0.600 |
| 2012 BAFANL | Division 2 Central | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2013 BAFANL | Premier North | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0.800 |
| 2014 BAFANL | Premier North | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0.444 |
| 2015 BAFANL | Premier North | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0.300 |
| 2016 BAFANL | Premier North | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0.300 |
| 2017 BAFANL | Premier North | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0.400 |
| 2019 BAFANL | Premier North | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0.300 |
Honours[]
- - Northern Conference Winners - 1988 (as Steel City Giants)
- BAFA Division Two Central - Divisional Champions - 2012 (as Sheffield Predators)
- BAFA Division Two - National Conference Champions - 2012 (as Sheffield Predators)
Notes[]
- ^ Britball Now List Of Britball Teams
- ^ Sheffield Predators Awards & Honours
- ^ "New Green Party branch set up for Rotherham | The Star".
- ^ "Predators on the prowl - Sheffield Telegraph". Archived from the original on 2018-04-04.
- ^ The Big Interview - Richard Batty
- ^ Sheffield Predators agree sponsorship with gym in Sheffield
- ^ "Sheffield Predators name-change bid". BBC News. 24 May 2016.
- ^ "'Negative' Sheffield Predators team name changed". BBC News. 3 June 2016.
- ^ "Historical League Tables in the UK | BritballNow".
External links[]
- BAFA National League teams
- American football teams in England
- American football teams established in 2008
- Sport in Sheffield
- 2008 establishments in England