History

The Story So Far…

In early 2002 Ollie Birch, Stuart Kenney, Phil Wood & Gregg Rodgers, students at Sheffield Hallam University proposed that the University needed its own American Football team.

By the summer of 2002, the Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) American football team had been given the go ahead by the Athletic union. However, the team had 12 players registered and no coaching staff in place.

American Football At Hallam

Previously an American Football team had been in existence at Hallam, but this was a multi institute team with the University of Sheffield called the Zulu’s. However, that organisation folded in early 1997 and out of this the University of Sheffield decided to set up its own team known as the Sabres.

Hallam chose not develop their own team during this split and did not embrace American Football again until 2002.

A New Era

The new committee then set about constructing the basis of the club, which would participate in the British Collegiate American Football League (BCAFL). They oversaw the biggest recruitment drive ever undertaken by a Hallam team in its first year, producing a 60+ man roster of which only 6 had any previous experience of the game.

John Edley was appointed Head Coach ably assisted by experienced BAFL veterens Paul Wake and Richard ‘Grizz’ Batty, who along with Adrian ‘Dibbs’ Sibley and Mat formed the coaching staff of the team.

In 2003, the Warriors received confirmation of their acceptance into BCAFL and played their first competitive league game, ironically against the Sheffield Sabres.

Hallam Team Season Record

Head Coaches

Hallam have had three head coaches in their history. John Edley from 2002-06 who finished with a 9-14-1 record. The joint head coach partnership of Richard ‘Grizz’ Batty and Paul Wake 2006-09 who finished with a 14-8-2 record. They are now led by Coach Grizz Batty who took over sole responsibility when Coach Wake left for Leeds Met. His first year as head coach was to say the least extraordinary. With only two other coaches on the team he led them to a perfect 8-0 regular season. They won there first ever playoff game before losing to the eventual National finalists in the second round. The team also won both games against the old enemy Sheffield Sabres, winning Varsity in the process.