London Olympians (American football)

Infobox BAFL team
name = London Olympians
founded = 1984

city = Crystal Palace, London
nicknames =
colors = Burgundy and White
coach = Tariq Arub
BAFL_start_yr =
division_hist =
hist_misc = Streatham Olympians (1984-1994) London O's (1995-2005)
hist_yr = 2005
hist_misc2 =
no_eurobowl_champs = 2
eurobowl_champs = 1993, 1994
no_bowl_champs = 0
bowl_champs =
no_conf_champs = 13
conf_champs = 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
no_div_champs = 0
div_champs =
no_league_champs = 0
league_champs =
stadium_years = Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
(15,500 places)The London Olympians are the United Kingdom's most successful amateur American Football club. The team plays in the Premier League of the British American Football League.

The Olympians were formed in 1984 as the Streatham Olympians and were founding members of the first ever national American Football league in Britain. The Olympians hold the record for the longest winning streak in senior kitted British American Football.

The Olympians have 5 age-defined teams within their umbrella, beginning at youth level (7-11) all the way up to the senior side.

History

Between 1995 and 2005, the Olympians were known as the London O's. This was a result of the previous owner retaining the rights to the Olympian name when he decided to withdraw from American football.

Team

Players

A list of current players [ [http://www.olympiansfootball.org/roster.html Roster ] ] :

Coaching Staff

*Head Coach: Tariq Ayub
*Acting Offensive coordinator: Murray Dumas
*Running Backs Coach: Matt Coppinger
*Wide Receiver Coach: Clive Palumbo
*Quarterbacks Coach: Stuart Miller
*Defensive coordinator: Bob Matthews
*Linebackers Coach: Damian Anderson
*Defensive Backs Coach/Special Teams coordinator: Scott Rowe

Rivals

The teams major rivals in the League are their North London counterparts, London Blitz who have emerged as a true force over the past two seasons and a heated rivalry has ensued whenever they play, at either Finsbury Park or Crystal Palace Park. Along with the Coventry Cassidy Jets, they have replaced the Farnham Fast Lane Knights as the main rivals of the Olympians.

Honours

Eurobowl Champions: 1993, 1994
British Champions: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006

Stadium Location

The London Olympians have changed stadiums a number of times, before playing in Surrey Quays, but moved to the National Sports Stadium, located in Crystal Palace, South London.

By Bus

The arena is also well served by bus routes, Crystal Palace being the terminus for many of them. These services include routes N2, 3/N3, N63, 122, N137, 157, 202, 227, 249, 322, 358, 363, 410, 417, 432, 450, 931 and 934.

By Train

Crystal Palace is on the Overground Network, and is served by trains on the South London Line. All services are currently operated by Southern, with destinations including London Victoria, London Bridge, Smitham and Caterham. The East London Line extension is planned to terminate at the station as part of London Overground, it is one of three Southern termini planned (Others are West Croydon and New Cross).

By Tram

Transport for London are proposing to extend the Tramlink system from Harrington Road through Anerley to the bus station on Crystal Palace Parade, with a hybrid cross between street and off-street, passing the train station. [ [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/trams/initiatives/tep/ TFL : Crystal Palace Tramlink Extention] ] [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/trams/pdf/Crystal-Palace-2006-10-19.pdf]

By Car

There are multiple car parks near the stadium which are all free of charge, they are all located inside Crystal Palace Park. To get to Crystal Palace, you should go onto the A212 from the A205 South Circular road in Catford. From there carry on the road, to Crystal Palace Parade, from there turn left at the end and you will see the entrance to the park.

Another London Olympians

London Olympians the American football club should not be confused with London Olympians [http://www.olympians.org.uk/] , the Toastmasters club.

References

External links

* [http://www.olympiansfootball.org/ Official site]
* [http://www.bafl.org.uk/ British American Football League]
* [http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/LONDONOLYMPIANS.htm/ Club History]
* [http://www.olympians.org.uk/ London Olympians Toastmasters club]