American Football

Welcome to the University of Derby American Football Team Page

Home of the Derby Braves

The Braves currently compete in the BUCS Midlands Tier 2.

Training Times:

Training sessions take place 2-3 times a week depending on fixtures. All training and home fixtures take place at the University's main site on Kedleston Road.


  • Tuesday 18.00 - 21.30 - Classroom/Game Film Study and S&C 
  • Thursday 18.00 - 19.30 – Field Session
  • Sunday’s 10.00-12.00 – (Training Session) or Fixture (All Day)

All of our training sessions are lead by our committed training staff. The training staff is headed up by our Head Coach Danny Burton who won the 24/25 coach of the year after a succesful season leading the team to promtion in a undefeated season.  

Alongside him we have a very committed force of coaches such as:

Christian Salisbury - Offensive Co-ordinator

Pete Sandham - Defensive Co-Ordinator

Tom Sanderson - Special Teams Co-ordinator

Tom Jarratt - Assistant Offensive Co-Ordinator/Receiver Coach

Michael Soriano - Running Backs Coach

Ben Cotton - Offensive Line Coach

Stephen Munnelly-Havens - Offensive Line Coach

Jack Briggs - Defensive Backs Coach

Marcin Szoldra - Linebacker Coach

Josh Oldfield - Linebacker Coach

Jean Richard-Wohi - Defensive Line Coach

James Cantrill - Defensive Line Coach

Alfie Walker - Sports Therapist

Membership

To become a member of our team you will need both the Union Sports Pass (£20) and club membership (£195) which can be paid over two installments. 

The Union Sports Pass is a one-time annual fee of £20 that gives you access to participate within sports at the Union. As a Union sports member, you receive the following benefits

  • Access to join our sports club and attend our training sessions
  • Elegibility to compete in BUCS competition
  • Ability to purchase tickets for Sports Awards
  • Specific Personal Accident Insurance for student Sport through Endsleigh, if you are injured through part of any club acitivites
  • Access to coaching and officiating bursaries through club application to the union

The Union Sports Pass also helps keep our clubs affordableby helping the Union fund training and competition opportunities.

The £195 club membership includes:

  • Helmet and pad rental for the season 
  • Access to all training, film analysis and S&C sessions (up to 4 sessions a week total)
  • A customised practice jersey
  • Matchday jersey and pants
  • Access to social events *some may require a ticket
  • Coaching from some of the best coaches in the area
  • Gameday sports therapy (sports massage & taping)

Events

  • Varsity
  • Tour
  • American Dream
  • Club End of Season Awards
  • Superbowl Party

Achievements 

  • National Finalists 2017/18
  • Undefeated in Div 1 North 2019/20
  • Quarter-final win over Newcastle in 2019/20 saw the first all-female referee crew in BAFA
  • Play-Off Quarter Finalists 2023
  • Play-Off Finalists 2024 (BUCS Silver Medal)
  • Play-Off Finalists 2025 (BUCS Silver Medal)
  • Undefeated in Div 2 Midlands 2024/25 (Promotion to Div 1)

Notable former players

  • Marcus Peterson: Marcus has had a contract with NFL team LA Chargers after playing for the Braves as a Wide Reciever.
  • Jean Richard Wohi: After playing for the Braves, Jean has played for Frankfurt Universe in GFL 1, the top division in Europe as both a Defensive and Offensive Lineman.
  • Simeon Okonta - Wariso: Simeon played for the Ingelstad Dukes in GFL 1 after his time playing for Derby as well representing his country for Team GB, After his time in the GFL he then moved onto play in the CFL (Canadian Football League) playing for the Toronto Argonaughts. 
  • Tom Jones: Tom played for Saarland Hurricanes in the GFL 1 after his time with the Braves, and most recently he was playing for the Postdam Royals.

Contact Us

Email: american.football@derbyunion.co.uk

Instagram: derby_braves

X: derby_braves

If your interested in joining the Braves feel free to come down to one of our sessions or drop us a message on one of our social media platforms.

#BeBrave

Need a Taxi? Albatross Cars 01332 345 345 50% off pizza at Dominos - code STUDY50%