“We are working to a progressive plan with the team and trying to move them forward at the right speed to peak in time for their games” said Coach Herod. “We are lucky that we have two very experienced Lineman in Gary Gardener and Lee Cook along with a veteran Quarterback in Ashley Richer to give confidence and direction to our offense”.

Whereas last week the offense struggled to move the football a long install period leading into the scrimmage saw the offense mount several long drives and score 3 touchdowns on the defense. The Aztecs Youth all time leading rusher, Stefan Williams, was the catalyst behind many of the long gains on the ground thanks to some good blocking up front.

“We are heading in the right direction and the rookies are improving every week” stated Offensive Line Coach Nick Rogers. “There is still a lot to cover with them but I think if we can keep this momentum going we’ll be force in the league in 2011”.

The Apache are preparing for a series of friendly games against future rivals the South Wales Warriors and Bournemouth Bobcats with the hope of entering the league in 2011. It’s never too late to join, simply contact one of the coaches from the bottom of the page to express your interest.

The Bristol Apache had 40 players in full kit taking part in their first practice of 2010. A week after ending their combined work outs with the Aztecs the enthusiasm to get stuck into the new systems was obvious and there for all the coaches to see. Missing several key players such as veterans Lewis Nixon and Matt Vanstone (who will return over the next few weeks) it was great to see so many players brand new to American Football step up to fill the gaps. It was also good to see former Aztecs Youth greats such as Stefan Williams (the youth teams all time leading rusher and scorer) return to the sport. The hope is more and more of the Aztecs Youth players will follow the likes of Stef Williams over the next few weeks like Liam Miller (2006 Youth National Final MVP) and Big Adrian Helps.

The practice maintained a good pace despite having to break things down to the mass of new players. This was a credit to those players who remained focused on what they were being taught and executed drills and plays to the best of their ability throughout the day. It was also a credit to the coaching staff and the old heads in the team such as former Aztec Legend Quarterback Ashley Richer who is helping to mentor developing quarterbacks Tom Davis and Simon Harris, and Offensive Lineman Gary Gardiner and Lee Cook who have taken the next generation of lineman under their wings. Their leadership will be invaluable to the young inexperienced team over the next few seasons if the Apache are to be successful.

“We have a lot of potential here mixed with some old heads” said Head Coach Ben Herod. “There is so much enthusiasm and so much determination in drills that I expect us to be competitive in our first game, something I wasn’t sure of 24 hours before this first practice”.

Coach Herod was joined on the day by fellow Apache Coaches Mark Hopkins (Aztec Adult Head Coach and former Professional Player), Nigel Hoyte (former Professional player and Akron Scholar), Mark Proctor (Aztec Linebacking great) and Academy Assistant Coach Cameron Parker (Coach Nick Rogers missing due to work commitments). The feeling from all coaches there on the day is that Bristol not only has the player volume to support two teams but the ability there to have both teams succeed.

Practice start again this Sunday 9:30 – 9:45am to collect your kit then on the Astro Turf field for 10am in kit ready to start. If you fancy giving it a go then please get in contact with Dave Murphey Team Manager.

The Bristol Apache have their first practice of 2010 this Sunday (21st of Feb) at the Filton WISE Campus on New Road, Stoke Gifford. Off the back of 3 weeks with the Aztecs the Apache now separate to prepare for their games. The first two games being against future divisional rival the South Wales Warriors. On Saturday the 10th of April the Apache will travel across the bridge one week before the Warriors will visit Bristol to take on the Apache in an evening game on Sunday the 18th of April. The Warriors will be a stern test as they are perennial play-off contenders in the South West. More games will be announced soon as the Apache look to play six fixtures this side of the end of May.

This Sunday Head Coach Ben Herod will be joined by the Head Coach of the Aztecs Mark Hopkins, Great Britain Senior Team Captain Sean Hopkins, former Akron Lineman Nigel Hoyte and Former Aztec great Mark Proctor to help mold the Apache into a force to be reckoned with.

Practice starts at 10am sharp (report to the ground at least 30 minutes early to collect any equipment you need to borrow).

The Bristol Apache are having their 2010 combine to kick off the new year on Saturday Jan 23rd. The event will take part at the WISE campus starting at 10am.

The combine will mimic many of the drills and events that players will have seen NCAA College players go through in the USA to help their draft position into the NFL. You will be expected to run a 40 yard dash, bench press, broad jump, as well as several other agility based drills. In the afternoon you will get put through some simple football drills.

No kit (helmets or padding) is required but it is suggested that you bring both trainers and football boots. You will need to wear shorts and a t-shirt but bring a warmer sweatshirt with you also as even though inside the temperature can get as cold as outside.

You will have a 30 minute break for lunch and you need to bring your own food and drinks for the day. The cost of the event is £2 paid upon registration.

The Bristol Apache are joining up with local Premiership Team the Bristol Aztecs to run the combine so you have the opportunity to be moved into a top flight team if you impress the coaches on the day. The event is likely to attract more than 100 participants with a good mixture of ability and experience.

Please pre-register your interest by emailing your full name and mobile phone number to Peter Jones.

The Bristol Apache's first full practice of 2010 will be Sunday the 31st of January, times to be confirmed.

The Bristol Apache is run by Head Coach Damon Kirby. He has a wealth of experience coaching and playing. He has won a Youth National Title as a player with the Ealing Eagles back in the 1980's and as Head Coach of the Farnham Knights in the 90's. With the Farnham Knights he coached a team that did not concede a point all season. He then moved on to coach the London Blitz at Adult level taking them to the play-offs before focusing again on the grass roots and coaching their youth team. There he coached future NFL players Lorn Myers (Oakland Raiders) and Jason Brisbane (San Diego Chargers). He came to Bristol to help coach in 2005 and has coached several positions. Coach Kirby Coaches the Offense.

Coach Herod is the stand in Head Coach until Coach Kirby's return. Coach Herod was the Head Coach of the Aztecs Youth Team from 04 - 09 until stepping aside for Coach Dangerfield to allow him to focus his efforts on his new job as the Head Coach of the Countries first American Football Academy the Filton PRIDE. Coach Herod has won the British Coaches Association Youth Coach of the Year as well as helping his youth team achieve Conference Titles and Bowl births. As a player for the Bristol Aztecs Youth Team he was selected to the Great Britain Youth Team each of years and won a National title with the Bristol Aztecs Adult Team before retiring in 2003. Coach Herod coaches the Defense.

Bio's to follow on:
Nick Rogers - Offensive Line
Mark Hopkins - Offensive Line
Nigel Hoyte - Defensive Line
Mark Proctor - Running Backs

Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions:

Q. How old do you have to be?
A. As long as you are 14 or older we have a team at the Bristol Aztecs you can join. We offer everything from Junior kitted and flag football all the way up to Adult Football for those 19+.

Q. Where do you practice?
A. At the Filton Wise. Full directions here.

Q. What days do you practice on?
A. When joining the team you are committing to a minimum of two practices per week. We always have practice on a Sunday (same day as our games) and on a midweek evening. Practice times are put up weekly on our home page.

Q. How much does it cost?
A. Subs are reviewed each season and depend a lot on the size of our squad. In order to find out the current level of subs please email Dave Murphy.

Q. Do I have to buy the equipment or does the club supply it?
A. The Apache can supply you with all the equipment you will need. You will be asked to bring your own footwear etc as you would any other sport. It is recommended that you purchase your own mouth guard (gum shield)

Q. Who do I need to contact about joining?
A. Contact Peter Jones club Chariman

Head Coach : Ben Herod

Club Management : Peter Jones

So the Bristol Apache was formed to bridge the gap between the Youth and Adult Team and to offer a DEVELOPMENT ground for players coming into the sport before being put up against the Nations best with the Aztecs Adult Team. The Team is looking to enter the league in 2011 after playing a schedule of friendly games in 2010. Their one joint practice / scrimmage so far against the UWE Bullets was a great success.

The Bristol Aztecs are running two schools Football schemes. The first is Flag American Football in schools. Something that girls and boys can take part in. Very similar to flag rugby where all contact within the sport is replaced by the ripping of flags from a belt. This means that both girls and boys can participate at the same time against each other. The Bristol Aztecs will supply you with a coach and the equipment to run the class. If you would like more information on this please contact Pete Jones.

Bristol Aztecs Game & Practice Venue

Address:
Filton WISE
New Road
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8LP

WISE position for Sat Nav:
2 degrees 33 15,9'' W
51 degrees 30' 43,4'' N

From the M32: Junction 1 M32, follow signs to Filton, through 2 sets of lights, at the first roundabout (MoD & retail) follow signs for Parkway. At the next roundabout turn left. At the following roundabout, turn left and then immediately right. Straight on across the mini roundabout and you will find the car parking after a set of lights.

From the A38: At the Filton roundabout follow signs for the ring road (A 4174) through 3 sets of traffic lights. After the bridge turn left into New Road. Follow the signs for WISE and turn left for Filton High School. Straight across the mini roundabout and you will find the car parking after a set of lights.

Public Transport:

Useful Links:
Filton WISE Campus
First Bus
Multimap
AA Route Planner
RAC Route Planner