British American Football League
Encyclopedia
The British American Football League (BAFL) was the United Kingdom
's primary American Football
league from 1998 until 2010. It was formerly known as the British Senior League (BSL) until 2005. BAFL was the trading name for Gridiron Football League Ltd incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee. Registration number: 2353839. The company went into administration
on 1 April 2010, and the company ceased to trade as from this date.
The League had 3 division
s: Premier, 1 and 2, each with a playoff series and championship game to determine a winner. The Championship participants were promoted to the divisions above and the lowest ranking teams in each division are relegated.
Teams competed annually to reach the championship game (BritBowl
) and win the Boston Trophy
. The game was traditionally hosted at Sheffield's
Don Valley Stadium
, however the venue for the finals was switched in 2008
because of a schedule conflict with Rotherham United FC
, the stadium's temporary tenants, with the match instead being played at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster
.
Tensions grew between the directors of BAFL and those of the British American Football Association
.<, the governing body throughout 2009 and at the beginning of 2010, BAFL formally, but unconstitutionally withdrew, from BAFA. This led to uproar from the teams within BAFL, ultimately signalling the end for BAFL as an entity. The league ceased operations on 1 April 2010. The league was replaced by the BAFA Community Leagues
for the 2010 season. This organisation, run under the umbrella of the governing body, rebranded in 2011 to become the BAFA National Leagues.
, with the league divided into three divisions, "Premier," "Division 1" and "Division 2."
shortly before the start of the 2008 season, together with the voluntary withdrawal of the East Kilbride Pirates, and the relegation of the Birmingham Bulls
and Gateshead Senators following their failure to fulfill all of their fixtures the previous season.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's primary American Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
league from 1998 until 2010. It was formerly known as the British Senior League (BSL) until 2005. BAFL was the trading name for Gridiron Football League Ltd incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee. Registration number: 2353839. The company went into administration
Administration (British football)
Sports clubs in the United Kingdom, most often in football, sometimes choose to enter administration when they are unable to pay off outstanding debts. Under the Insolvency Act 1986 a business will face a winding up order bringing them to court and if it is shown that a business cannot pay debts as...
on 1 April 2010, and the company ceased to trade as from this date.
The League had 3 division
Division (sport)
In sports, a division is a group of teams who compete against each other for a championship.-League system:In sports using a league system , a division consists a group of teams who play a sport at a similar competitive level...
s: Premier, 1 and 2, each with a playoff series and championship game to determine a winner. The Championship participants were promoted to the divisions above and the lowest ranking teams in each division are relegated.
Teams competed annually to reach the championship game (BritBowl
BritBowl
BritBowl is the championship game of the British American Football Association Community Leagues, and formerly the British American Football League in the United Kingdom. It is the most prestigious of the league's three bowl games that constitute BritBowl Weekend. Only teams in the Premier...
) and win the Boston Trophy
Boston Trophy
The Boston Trophy was the trophy awarded each year to the winning team of the British American Football League's annual Premier Division Championship game, BritBowl and was BAFL's most prestigious award....
. The game was traditionally hosted at Sheffield's
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
Don Valley Stadium
Don Valley Stadium
The Don Valley Stadium is a stadium in Sheffield, England and is the home of Rotherham United F.C.. The stadium is an athletics stadium which has hosted major UK Athletic events and the 1991 World Student Games. Sheffield Eagles RLFC and Parramore Sports FC also use the stadium. It was designed by...
, however the venue for the finals was switched in 2008
2008 BAFL season
The 2008 BAFL Season is the British American Football League. BritBowl XXII, the league's championship game, is scheduled to be played at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster on September 21, 2008...
because of a schedule conflict with Rotherham United FC
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, the stadium's temporary tenants, with the match instead being played at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster
Doncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
.
Tensions grew between the directors of BAFL and those of the British American Football Association
British American Football Association
The British American Football Association is the national governing body for the sport of American football in the United Kingdom. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football...
.<, the governing body throughout 2009 and at the beginning of 2010, BAFL formally, but unconstitutionally withdrew, from BAFA. This led to uproar from the teams within BAFL, ultimately signalling the end for BAFL as an entity. The league ceased operations on 1 April 2010. The league was replaced by the BAFA Community Leagues
BAFA Community Leagues
The BAFA National Leagues are the primary American football competition in England, Scotland and Wales. They were formed by the British American Football Association in 2010 to coordinate contact football and flag football across all age ranges...
for the 2010 season. This organisation, run under the umbrella of the governing body, rebranded in 2011 to become the BAFA National Leagues.
Britbowl champions
- 2010 London BlitzLondon Blitz (American football)London Blitz are a British American football team based in North London at Finsbury Park athletics stadium.- Overview :The Blitz field a senior team in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership as well as youth teams. The roster has included both local players as well as players from North America,...
- 2009 London BlitzLondon Blitz (American football)London Blitz are a British American football team based in North London at Finsbury Park athletics stadium.- Overview :The Blitz field a senior team in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership as well as youth teams. The roster has included both local players as well as players from North America,...
- 2008 Coventry Cassidy Jets
- 2007 London BlitzLondon Blitz (American football)London Blitz are a British American football team based in North London at Finsbury Park athletics stadium.- Overview :The Blitz field a senior team in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership as well as youth teams. The roster has included both local players as well as players from North America,...
- 2006 London OlympiansLondon OlympiansThe London Olympians is a British amateur American football team, based in Crystal Palace, London. They are the United Kingdom's most successful amateur American football club...
- 2005 London O'sLondon OlympiansThe London Olympians is a British amateur American football team, based in Crystal Palace, London. They are the United Kingdom's most successful amateur American football club...
- 2004 Farnham Knights
- 2003 London O's
- 2002 London O's
- 2001 London O's
- 2000 London O's
- 1999 London O's
- 1998 London O's
Teams of BAFL
Like most sports in Europe, but unlike most professional American football leagues, the BAFL uses the system of promotion and relegationPromotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
, with the league divided into three divisions, "Premier," "Division 1" and "Division 2."
BAFL Premier
The BAFL's Premier Division for the 2009 season comprised five teams; this was due to the late withdrawal of the London OlympiansLondon Olympians
The London Olympians is a British amateur American football team, based in Crystal Palace, London. They are the United Kingdom's most successful amateur American football club...
shortly before the start of the 2008 season, together with the voluntary withdrawal of the East Kilbride Pirates, and the relegation of the Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls (American football)
Birmingham Bulls is a British American football team based in the West Midlands, England at the ground of Walsall Rugby Club.-Overview:The Bulls is one of the longer established American football teams playing in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1983...
and Gateshead Senators following their failure to fulfill all of their fixtures the previous season.
- Bristol AztecsBristol AztecsThe Bristol Aztecs are a British American football team based inBristol, England, at the Filton WISE sports academy of Filton College, Bristol, which is also the base for a number of other sports teams such as Bristol Academy woman's soccer team.- Overview :...
- Coventry Cassidy Jets
- Farnham Fast Lane Knights
- London BlitzLondon Blitz (American football)London Blitz are a British American football team based in North London at Finsbury Park athletics stadium.- Overview :The Blitz field a senior team in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership as well as youth teams. The roster has included both local players as well as players from North America,...
- Sussex ThunderSussex ThunderThe Sussex Thunder are a Football team from the United Kingdom based in Horsham, Sussex. The team won promotion to the Premier Division of the British American Football League after winning the Division One Bowl on 20th September 2008....
BAFL Division 1
Division 1 comprised nineteen teams split into three regional conferences. As well as the teams relegated from the Premier Division, this included seven teams promoted from Division Two.| Division 1 North | Division 1 South-East | Division 1 South-West |
|---|---|---|
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Cambridgeshire Cats The Cambridgeshire Cats are an American football team competing in Division 1 Central of the BAFA Community Leagues , with their home games played at Coldhams Common in Cambridge. The club was first formed in 1984, entered senior competition in 1985 and won two divisional titles in the 1990s as... London Cobras (American football) The London Warriors are an American Football team based in Boston Manor, London. The team were formed in 2007 as the senior outfit for the London Warriors youth team, and currently play in the BAFA Community Leagues Premiership.-History:The London Cobras were formed in 2007 as a senior team of... Norwich Devils The Norwich Devils are a British American Football team based in Norwich, Norfolk.-Overview:The Devils currently field a senior team in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues... Peterborough Saxons The Peterborough Saxons are an American football team competing in Division 1 South East of the BAFA Community Leagues , with their home games played at Stanground College in Peterborough. The senior team was first formed in 2001 and entered senior competition the following year... |
Birmingham Bulls (American football) Birmingham Bulls is a British American football team based in the West Midlands, England at the ground of Walsall Rugby Club.-Overview:The Bulls is one of the longer established American football teams playing in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1983... Nottingham Caesars The Nottingham Caesars are an American football team playing in the United Kingdom. The Caesars field a senior team in Division 1 Central of the BAFA Community Leagues . The team is affectionately known by its players and fans as "The Big C".... South Wales Warriors The South Wales Warriors are an American Football team currently competing in Division 2 West of the BAFA National Leagues . The team was formed after the Tiger Bay Warriors had disbanded due to the departure of head coach Rob Mota, along with key staff and players, by the remaining players and... Tamworth Phoenix The Tamworth Phoenix are an American football team playing in the United Kingdom. The Phoenix field a senior team in the Premiership of the BAFA Community Leagues... |
BAFL Division 2
Division 2 comprised 26 teams split into six regional conferences. This included the three new teams accepted as associate members, plus the London Olympians who were re-admitted to this division.| Division 2 Scottish | Division 2 North | Division 2 Central | Division 2 East | Division 2 South East | Division 2 South West |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Hull Hornets Hull Hornets were an American Football team based in Kingston upon Hull. In 2010 the Hornets ended their membership in BAFA and are not expected to return to play.-Background:... Lancashire Wolverines The Lancashire Wolverines are a British American football team based in Blackburn and from the 2007 season will be playing in Division Two of the British American Football League... |
Leicester Falcons The Leicester Falcons are a British American football team based in Leicestershire, England. The Falcons play in Division 1 of the British American Football Association National Leagues.-History:... Lincolnshire Bombers The Lincolnshire Bombers are a British American football team based in Lincolnshire, England The Bombers were given British American Football League status in 2006.-History:... Shropshire Revolution The Shropshire Revolution are a British American football team based in Telford, Shropshire, in the Midlands, England.The Team are currently members of the British American Football Association Community League.... |
Bedfordshire Blue Raiders The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders are an American Football team competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues . They entered the league in 2008 as one of five expansion teams, and play their home games at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium.-History:The Blue Raiders were formed in... Colchester Gladiators The Colchester Gladiators are an American Football team competing in the South East Conference of British American Football League Division 2. They play their home games at the Broad Lane stadium in Wivenhoe, Essex and train at the Sir Charles Lucas Centre for Sport and Art in Colchester... Milton Keynes City Pathfinders The Milton Keynes City Pathfinders are an American Football team based in Milton Keynes, England, competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues . They play their home games at the Emerson Valley Sports Pavillion in Milton Keynes, which they share with Milton Keynes Rugby Club... Watford Cheetahs The Watford Cheetahs are an American football team, based in Watford competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues , with their home games played at Fullerians Rugby Club... |
East Kent Mavericks The East Kent Mavericks are an American Football team based in Canterbury, Kent. First formed in 2002 as a flag football team, they currently play in Division 1 South East of the BAFA Community Leagues .-History:... Essex Spartans The Essex Spartans are an American Football team based in Billericay, Essex, England. The team has played under the Spartans name since 1998 following a merger between two local teams and currently play in the BAFA Community Leagues, Division 2 East.... London Olympians The London Olympians is a British amateur American football team, based in Crystal Palace, London. They are the United Kingdom's most successful amateur American football club... Maidstone Pumas The Maidstone Pumas are an American Football team based in Maidstone, Kent. The team were formed in 1997 as a continuation of the former youth team of the same name, and currently play in Division 2 East of the BAFA Community Leagues .-History:... |
Cornish Sharks The Cornish Sharks are an American Football team currently competing in Division 2 West of the BAFA Community Leagues . They play their home games at the Newquay Sports Centre, in Newquay, Cornwall... Plymouth Admirals The Plymouth Admirals were an American Football team who competed in the British American Football League up until 2010. They played their home games at the Parkway Sports Club in Ernesettle, Plymouth. Formed in 1984, the Admirals were one of the longest established American football teams in the... |