Bristol Aztecs

The Bristol Academy Aztecs are an American football team based in Filton, South Gloucestershire, England, who operate in the BAFA National Leagues Premier Division South, the highest level of British American football. They operate from the Stoke Gifford Stadium in Filton, although they represent the nearby City of Bristol which is where the team were formed. [1] Formed in 1990, The Aztecs are two-time BritBowl runners-up having missed out on the prize in 1999 and 2004. In 2020 the Aztecs football programme merged with the Filton Academy Pride setup, basing their full Academy setup at the SGS College.

Bristol Aztecs
Founded1990 (1990)
LeagueBAFA National Leagues
DivisionPremier Division South
LocationFilton, South Gloucestershire
StadiumStoke Gifford Stadium
ColoursBlack Helmets, Orange and Black Jerseys, Black Pants
Head coachBen Herrod
Division titles4: (1997, 1999, 2005, 2006)
Playoff berths16: (1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)

Founded in 2010, the club operate a B Team called the Bristol Apache who play in the BAFA National Leagues SFC West 2, the third level of American football in Britain. Unlike the Aztecs, the Apache play out of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. In 2017 The Apache were promoted to the SFC Division 1, spending a season in the second tier before being relegated back to SFC 2 for the following year.

Aztecs history

The Aztecs had their strongest start in many seasons, winning their first seven games straight and beating the Sussex Thunder, the Coventry Jets and the Farnham Knights both home and away. Two defeats against the London Blitz and a home-win reverse against the London Cobras secured second place in the BAFA standings; Ultimately the Aztecs could not capitalise on their season record, losing again to the Jets in the playoffs.

The youth team fared better however, blanking the Kent Exiles 30–0 in the quarter final, then coming from 28–6 down to overcome the London Blitz in the semi-final to make the national finals at Worcester's Sixways stadium. Meeting the undefeated Lancashire Wolverines in the bowl game, the Aztecs rolled to an impressive 36–14 victory to become youth national champions for the first time.

Bristol Apache
Founded2010 (2010)
LeagueBAFA National Leagues
DivisionSFC West 2
LocationFilton, South Gloucestershire
StadiumSouth Gloucestershire and Stroud College
ColoursBlack Helmets, Orange and Black Jerseys, Black Pants
Head coachPete Jones
Division titles1: (2015)
Playoff berths3 (2013, 2015, 2017)

Setup

The Aztecs field a senior team in the Premier Division, as well as youth teams and a second adult contact team Apache who play in Division Two. The team was formed in 1990[2] and has played in all BAFL divisions and been in four Britbowl Finals. They remained in the Premier division following the 2007 BAFL re-alignment, and have competed at the top national level since.[3]

Prior to the 2020 Season Bristol Aztecs announced they were formally joining the SGS College's Academy Setup and Joining the Bristol Academy Pride Branding new uniforms, colours, helmets and logo's.[4]

Team colours

Following a re-branding prior to the 2020 Season the Bristol Academy Aztecs Play in Silver helmets with the new team logo with a Navy and white stripe, silver Jerseys with navy numbers, Silver pants with navy details and white socks. A Change uniform will involve The same helmet, pants and socks with a Navy Jersey with White Numbers. Bristol Apache will also play in the same uniforms.[4]

Previously, the Bristol Aztecs played in 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 have worn grey jerseys with orange numbers and black jerseys with orange numbers. Throughout these uniform changes, the Helmet with the Feathered A decal has been consistent. Bristol Apache Previously played in Orange Jerseys with White Numbers, Black Pants with White socks and the same Black 'Feathered A' Decal.

Season Records
Year Division Record[5] Playoffs
2014 BAFA Premier Division – Southern Conference 6–2–0, 3rd Place Defeated Quarter-Finalists
2013 BAFA Premier Division – Southern Conference 7–3–0, 4th place Defeated Quarter-Finalists
2012 BAFA Premier Division – Southern Conference 4–6–0, 4th place
2011 BAFA Premier Division 4–6–0*, 4th place Defeated Semi-finalists
2010 BAFA Premier Division 7–3–0*, 2nd Place Defeated Semi-finalists
2009 BAFL Premier Division 5–3–0*, 3rd Place Defeated Semi-finalists
2008 BAFL Premier Division 4–4–0*, 3rd Place Defeated Semi-finalists
2007 BAFL Premier Division 5–4–1*, 3rd Place Defeated Semi-finalists
2006 BAFL Division 1a – South 4–6–0* Division 1a South Champions, Britbowl Runners-up
2005 BAFL Division 1a – South 4–6–0* Division 1a Champions
2004 BSL Division 1a – South 4–6–0* Britbowl Runners-up
2003 BSL Division 2 – South West Conference 8–2–0* South West Conference Champions, Southern Champions, Division II Champions
2002 BSL Division 1 – Southern Conference 0–10–0
2001 BSL Division 1 – Southern Conference 4–4–0
2000 BSL Division 1 – Southern Conference 2–6–0
1999 BSL Division 1 – Central Conference 8–1–1* Central Conference Champions, Britbowl Runners-up
1998 BSL Division 1 – South West Conference 7–3* Semi-finalists
1997 BSL Division 2 – South West Conference 9–1–0* South West Conference Champions, Division II Champions
1996 BSL Division 2 – Southern Conference 2–8–0
1995 BAFA Division 2 – South West Conference 5–4–0* Quarter-finalists
1994 BAFA Division 2 – South West Conference 2–7–1
1993 BNGL Premier Division – South West Conference 9–1–0* Quarter-finalists
1992 BNGL Premier Division – South West Conference 6–4–0
1991 BNGL First Division – South West Conference 8–2–0* (Wildcard Round)
* qualified for playoffs

References
  1. "New season – new league". BBC. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  2. Fear, Bill. "Aztecs recruiting for the new season". BBC. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  3. "American Football in Bristol". 365 Bristol. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  5. "Bristol Aztecs". Britball Now. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
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