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 and Offensive Co-Ordiantor Danny Burton

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

Pete Sandham - Defensive Co-Ordinator

Tom Jarratt - Assistant Offensive Co-Ordinator/Receiver Coach

Ben Cotton - Offensive Line Coach

Stephen Munnelly-Havens - Offensive Line Coach

Marcin Szoldra - Linebacker Coach

Josh Oldfield - Linebacker Coach

Robert Wands - Running Backs 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
  • 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)

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 1after his time playing for Derby as well representing his country for Team GB.

 

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