Bristol Aztecs

The SGS Bristol Aztecs are an American football team based in Filton, South Gloucestershire, England. Competing in the BAFA National Leagues Premier South, the highest level of British American football, they are the south-west's only Premiership team. The team operates from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Filton and represents the City of Bristol, where it was formed.

History

Founded in 1990, the Aztecs were two-time BritBowl runners-up, in 1999 and 2004.

In 2020, the Aztecs football program merged with the Filton Academy Pride setup, basing their academy at SGS College, which has facilities described as among the best in the country.

In 2010, the club founded a reserve team called the SGS Bristol Apache,, who play in the BAFA National Leagues SFC 1 West, the second tier of British American football. Like the Aztecs, the Apache play at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

In 2017, the Apache were promoted to SFC Division 1, spending one season in the second tier before being relegated back to SFC 2 the following year. In 2022, they won the Division 2 title.

Setup

The Aztecs field a senior team in the Premier Division, as well as youth teams and a second adult contact team, the Apache, who play in Division Two. The team was formed in 1990 and has played in all BAFL divisions, reaching four Britbowl Finals. They remained in the Premier division following the 2007 BAFL re-alignment and have competed at the top national level since.

Prior to the 2020 season, Bristol Aztecs formally joined the SGS College's Academy Setup and adopted the Bristol Academy Pride branding, including new colors, uniforms, helmets, and logos.

Stadium

The SGS Bristol Aztecs operate from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Filton, Bristol. SGS invested £680,000 to create the UK’s first American Football-only 4G field, featuring stitched-in colored end zones and field markings.

Coaching Staff

American football teams typically have a large coaching staff, including a Head Coach, Offensive/Defensive/Special Teams coordinators, and various positional coaches. The coaching staff line-up for the 2023 season is as follows:

Team colours

Following a rebranding prior to the 2020 season, the Bristol Academy Aztecs wear silver helmets with the new team logo and a navy and white stripe, silver jerseys with navy numbers, silver pants with navy details, and white socks. An alternate uniform includes the same helmet, pants, and socks with a navy jersey and white numbers. The Bristol Apache also wear these uniforms.

Previously, the Bristol Aztecs wore black helmets (with the Aztecs 'Feathered A' decal), orange jerseys with black numbers, black pants, and orange and white socks. In previous seasons, the Aztecs also wore grey jerseys with orange numbers and black jerseys with orange numbers. Throughout these uniform changes, the helmet with the Feathered A decal remained consistent. Bristol Apache previously wore orange jerseys with white numbers, black pants with white socks, and the same black 'Feathered A' decal.

2022 Season

The Aztecs finished the 2022 regular season with a 7-3 record and reached the National Semi-Finals. The Aztecs played each Premiership team in the South Division twice, defeating the Kent Exiles, the Solent Thrashers, and the London Olympians on both occasions. The Aztecs defeated the London Blitz once and lost to them once, and lost both games against the London Warriors. This record earned the Aztecs a spot in the National Playoffs, placing the Bristol side among the top 4 teams in the country. Bristol faced the Manchester Titans at the National Speedway Stadium in the semi-finals and lost by 5 points, ending their 2022 campaign.

BAFA Premier Division Regular Season

London Warriors 34 - 17 Bristol Aztecs

Bristol Aztecs 46 - 0 Kent Exiles

Bristol Aztecs 43 - 13 Solent Thrashers

Bristol Aztecs 10 - 8 London Blitz

Bristol Aztecs 44 - 18 London Olympians

Kent Exiles 12 - 36 Bristol Aztecs

London Olympians 0 - 47 Bristol Aztecs

Bristol Aztecs 14 - 28 London Warriors

Solent Thrashers 0 - 11 Bristol Aztecs

London Blitz 22 - 20 Bristol Aztecs

BAFA Premier Division Semi Final

Manchester Titans 32 -27 Bristol Aztecs

Aztecs history

Season records

The Aztecs had one of their strongest starts in many seasons, winning their first seven games straight and defeating the Sussex Thunder, the Coventry Jets, and the Farnham Knights both home and away. Two defeats against the London Blitz and a home loss against the London Cobras secured second place in the BAFA standings. Ultimately, the Aztecs could not capitalize on their regular-season record, losing again to the Jets in the playoffs.

The youth team, however, performed better, shutting out the Kent Exiles 30–0 in the quarter-final and then overcoming the London Blitz in the semi-final, coming back from a 28–6 deficit, to reach the national finals at Worcester's Sixways stadium. Facing the undefeated Lancashire Wolverines in the bowl game, the Aztecs achieved an impressive 36–14 victory to become youth national champions for the first time.

References

External links

SGS University Centre
Official Site
BAFA
Official Site
Bristol University Barracuda
Official Site

{{BAFL seasons

BAFA National League teams
American football teams in England
Sport in Bristol
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
American football teams established in 1990
1990 establishments in England