The Sheffield Giants are an American football team based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, that competes in the BAFA National Leagues NFC 1 South, the second level of British American football. They 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.
 | |
| Founded | 2008 (as Sheffield Predators) |
|---|---|
| League | BAFA National Leagues |
| Division | NFC 1 South |
| Team history | Sheffield Predators (2008–2016) Sheffied Giants (2016–) |
| Location | Sheffield, South Yorkshire |
| Stadium | Norton Sports Park |
| Colours | Black Helmets Sky Blue Jerseys Black Pants |
| Head coach | Matt Flynn |
| Manager | Zoe McCallum (Team Manager) |
| Division titles | 1: 2012 |
| Playoff berths | 2: 2012, 2013 |
| Website | www.sheffieldgiants.com |
History
editThere 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
editThe 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.
Home field
editThe Sheffield Giants play their home games at the Sport Sheffield Norton Sports Park complex on Warminster Road in Sheffield. The University of Sheffield American Football Team also play their home games at Norton.
Youth Team
editAs well as the adult contact team, the Sheffield Giants also operate both flag football and youth contact teams, the latter is known as the 'Sheffield Giants Academy'.
The Academy 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.
There are two Sheffield Giants flag football teams, a Women's team and a mixed team.
Coaching staff
edit| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Matt Flynn |
| Offensive Coordinator | Adam Lilley |
| Defensive Coordinator
Linebackers |
Anthony Marsden |
| Special Teams Coordinator
Linebackers |
Dave Rowley |
| Offense | |
| Running Backs Coach | James Tannter |
| Offensive Line coach | Oliver Monaghan |
| Quarterbacks Coach | Jacob Hardy |
| Wide Receivers Coach | Martyn Lee |
| Offensive General Assistant | Summer Morris |
| Defense | |
| Defensive Line Coach | Fernando Carvalho |
| Assistant Defensive Line Coach | Liam Albert |
| Defensive Backs Coach | Sam Calvert |
| Assistant Defensive Backs Coach | Matthew Sherridan |
| Assistant Defensive Backs Coach | Mikey Guinness |
| Special Teams | |
| Assistant Special Teams Coach | Shaun Hird |
| Assistant Special Teams Coach | Aaron Mcwhir |
| Other | |
| General Assistant | Ellie Johnson |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Kieran Burke (Team Hallam) |
| Head Physio | Dominic Moon (Pure Physio) |
| Statistician | Jack Dyson |
| Placement Studen | Harvey Evans |
Roster
edit|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Receivers
|
Offensive line
Defensive line
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Kickers
|
Team Records
editComplete 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 |
| 2018 BAFANL | Premier North | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0.400 |
| 2019 BAFANL | Premier North | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0.250 |
| 2020 BAFANL | Premier North | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000^ |
| 2021 BAFANL | White Rose | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0.857^^ |
| 2022 BAFANL | Premier North | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0.300 |
| 2023 BAFANL | NFC 1 South | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0.500 |
| 2024 BAFANL | NFC 1 North | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0.500 |
^No season due to COVID-19 pandemic
^^One-off restructured division as part of 'return to play' during COVID-19 pandemic
Honours
edit- Premier - 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
edit- ^ 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 4 April 2018.
- ^ 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".