Derby Braves

BCAFL team
name = Derby Braves

year = 1996-1997
colors = Royal Blue,Black with White numbers
universities = University of Derby
stadium = Sturgess Field, Derby
division = North and East Midlands-Midlands Division
record = 27-48-4
playoff record = n/a
no_play_apps = 0
no_div_champs = 0
no_conf_champs = 0
no_league_champs = 0
play_apps= n/a
div_champs = n/a
conf_champs = n/a
league_champs = n/a

The Derby Braves are a member of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL)'s North and East Midlands conference in the Midlands Division . The Braves have yet to become a consistent contender in the BUAFL, and are still seeking their first playoff appearance. The cheerleaders for the Braves are the Derby Ravens.

Team Records by Season

Provisional Schedule for season 2008-2009

GAME 1: November 9, 2008 1:00 PM A Lincoln Colonials

GAME 2:November 16, 2008 1:00 PM H Loughborough Aces

GAME 3:November 23, 2008 1:00 PM A Staffordshire Stallions

GAME 4:November 30, 2008 1:00 PM H Sheffield Sabres

GAME 5:December 7, 2008 1:00 PM H Lincoln Colonials

GAME 6:February 1, 2009 1:00 PM H Leicester Longhorns

GAME 7:February 15, 2009 1:00 PM A Huddersfield Hawks

GAME 8:February 22, 2009 1:00 PM H Nottingham Outlaws

Honours

2006-07 Northern Plate Champions

History

The Derby Braves were formed in September 1995 through the efforts of the Students Union and a number of students, notably, Julia Holdway, Lee Willitts, and Dave Carr. Soon thereafter, the committee appointed Phil Rodger as head coach. After obtaining kit (and subsequently their name) from the local senior team known as the Burton/Derby Braves(whom had folded at the beginning of the 1995 senior league season), the team held regular practices leading to a pair of games that were played in a tournament at the University of Hertfordshire. The Braves lost both games - to Nottingham and Hertfordshire - but established that they have the potential for a bright future. In 1996-97, the Braves' first year in BCAFL, they lost every game, but they showed a superb spirit. In addition, Carr proved to be one of the most creative and effective team administrators in the League, and helped insure that the Braves have had a bright future both on and off the field.

Since their conception the Braves have never made the playoffs, narrowly missing out in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons when they finished 10th and 7th in the league respectively. In these years the Braves missed out on the playoffs due to only 1 wild-card position going through.In 1999 the (3-3-2) Strathclyde hawks, (7-1) Loughborough Aces, (7-1) Leeds Celtics and (6-1-1) Lancaster Bombers went through to the playoffs whilst the Braves boasting a (6-2-0) record and second place in their division missed out.

The Braves although not very successful have had 2 winning seasons and hold the joint 8th highest score for a single game in BUAFL history with a 74-0 win over the APU Phantoms on the 6th of February 2005.

Arguably the biggest and brightest star to emerge from the Braves programme since their creation is running back Michael Andrew, who accomplished an unparalleled 31 rushes for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns in a BSL Division 1 bowl game. Andrew is now playing for the Braunschweig Lions of the German Football League.

External links

* [http://www.bcafl.org BCAFL]