The 2012 Bristol Varsity series kicks off with a bang this year as the University of Bristol American football team, the Barracuda, host a mouthwatering clash against their cross-town rivals, the University of West England Bullets. The biggest game of the year for both teams will be hosted by Bristol on Sunday 12th of February with kick off scheduled for 3pm. All are welcome to join us at Clifton College Sports Ground, Beggars Bush Lane as the two Bristol teams go head to head to compete for the Steve Jones Varsity Trophy and University Pride.
The biggest sporting event of the year will return to Bristol on Sunday 5th of February as the Bristol Barracuda American Football Team host the South West's premier Super Bowl party, Cuda Super Bowl Sunday. All are welcome to join us at The Greenhouse, College Green, as the NFL's biggest and best go head to head to compete for the Lombardi trophy as Super Bowl XLVI champions.
Friday 9th November saw members of the Bristol Barracuda smash their three million kilogram target in their annual charity liftathon. The players pushed themselves to the limit in an attempt to set a new club record by not only beating previous years weight totals but also by raising more money for the Youth Sports Trust. The muscle straining target weight of 3 million kilograms (equivalent to over 15 Boeing 767 Jet Aircraft) was a whole million kilograms in excess of last years achieved weight and was a big challenge for the team.
The Plymouth Blitz ran out 42 – 6 winners against the Bristol Barracuda to close the first half of the BUAFL season. Quarterback Toby Rickards ran in the only touchdown for the Cuda. The Cuda enter the break with a .500 record (2-2) placing them 7th in the South West Atlantic Division (SWAC).
The Cardiff Cobras ran out 46 – 6 winners against the Bristol Barracuda in week 4 of the BUAFL Season. Quarterback Toby Rickards ran in the only touchdown for the Cuda from the Cobras 39 yard line. The Cuda now go to 2 – 1 ahead of this week’s upcoming clash with the Plymouth Blitz.
A thrilling overtime scenario saw the Bristol Barracuda come out on top and go 2 – 0 after beating the Exeter Demons 20-14. Wide Receiver (WR) Mike Mcdowell scored the opening touchdown and Running Back (RB) Stu McHutchon snagged himself a brace on a perfect day for football in Exeter.
The Bristol Barracuda came from behind against the Bath Spa Bulldogs to start the 2011/12 season with a 14-6 win. Touchdowns from Max Meuth and Stu McHutchon decided the game with the Cuda on the road for the first time this season.
Last week saw the returning Cuda players hit the streets at the University of Bristol Fresher’s fair in pursuit of new recruits to join the ranks. Unfortunately the refurbishment of the Students Union meant that the Cuda would only have one day with which to recruit, this however did not faze the Cuda as they took to the streets in force on both days so as not to let anyone through their fingers.
The award winning Bristol Barracuda have today announced ‘Greenhouse – College Green’ as their major social sponsor for the 2011/12 season. Sitting at the bottom of Park Street, opposite College Green, Greenhouse is always a popular venue with a wide range of drinks and meals on offer.
A statement of intent for the up-and-coming BUAFL season was made by the Bristol Barracuda today as they unveiled their latest pieces of training equipment. Two top of the range training sleds have been added to the already extensive training setup at Cuda.
Members of the Barracuda players and coaching staff will be on hand at the Bristol University FRESH! event this coming October to hand out information about the team and assist new players in starting their sign up process. This is your best opportunity to find out more about the team from the people involved and the easiest way to get yourself on the player and mailing list ready for try outs at Beggars Bush!
FRESH! will be held at the Students Union during freshers week at the start of the first semester on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th of October. Come find us in the Avon Gorge room and get chatting to someone on the stand. For any further info on joining before FRESH! check out our "Join the Cuda" page. See you there!
It's that time of year again, soon over 3000 new young and fresh faces will be arriving at Bristol University to start their chosen subject. Think you've got what it takes to be the next BUAFL MVP? Want to try a new sport that will challenge and reward you in brand new ways? Want to represent your University in a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity across the UK? Then join the Cuda!
No experience necessary the Cuda American Football program will turn you into an all new athlete in no time at all. We have an excellent coaching staff with up to date facilities and amenities and best of all, an active social program! You don't even have to be a fresher! American Football is a high paced, action packed, physical game that provides endless opportunities for an individual to shine. Want to make that next big play? Head on over to our "Join the Cuda" page for all the info you'll need about joining up. See you at FRESH!
Back in December the Bristol Barracuda undertook a sponsored weight lift session at the Coombe Dingle Sports Complex for charity. Players took home sponsor forms from practice and tried to raise as much money as possible for both the Youth Sports Trust and a new Cuda kit!
In the end over half a million kilogramms were lifted by members of the Cuda player and coaching rosters (530,350KG to be exact!), raising over £600 for our chosen charity. A number of challenges were on offer, including the first player to get sponsored by a UWE Bullet player and a prize for anyone that could out lift the gym monster that is Coach Davey.
Well done to all those that took part!
The Barracuda start the 2010 off season coaching flag football at this years Bristol Festival of Sport. The event is held over 3 days at the Universities Coombe Dingle sports complex, for children attending school in the local area aged 12-16. It's a high profile event, attended by the local media, that offers a wide range of differing sports from Martial Arts all the way through to Golf.
This is the second successive year the Cuda have attended the event with our Cuda Flag initiative and members from both the coaching and player rosters were on hand to teach a brand new sport to many. Over 300 of more than 1300 attendees chose to learn about Flag Football this year and received coaching in all aspects of the game, including passing catching, ball handling and flag tackling.
The coaching was extremely well received by all those involved, both old and young, and is part of the Barracudas continued commitment to raising awareness of American Football in the UK and to involvement in the local community. We will be back next year to bring even more Football to even more people!
A hard fought game ends in a loss for the Barracuda this week as last years champions the Birmingham Lions are victorious with the score finishing 6-52, knocking the Cuda out of the BUAFL play-offs.
Bristol came out fighting, stopping the Lions first drive of the match and responding with an early long touchdown pass to take the score to 6-0. Birmingham knew we meant business and proceeded to prove why they are the defending champions with 3 touchdowns before the end of the first quarter. From then on the Cuda fought hard, driving Birmingham back every time the offence stepped on to the field but it proved to be not enough. More scores including a 92 yard passing TD from Birmingham that went unanswered in the final quarters took the score to 6-52.
The best season in Cuda history, the team look to improve with every rep in the off season and go even better next time out. See you next year for some more Sunday football!
The Bristol University Barracuda end their regular reason with a convincing victory over the Oxford Cavaliers 35-7. A tough game in muddy conditions, Oxford are known for their passing game and the Cuda arrived prepped, repped and ready to go for what would be the last regular 2009/2010 BUAFL season game.
With their first string Quarterback out Oxford still looked to go deep against the Cuda defence but it still wasn't enough. Congratulations to the team who finish the season with a record 7-1, a best for team since it started 3 years ago. The progress by the team has been tremendous and this is shown by our success this season. Next stop, Birmingham and BUAFL play-offs.
After the first loss of the Cuda 2009/10 season against opponent 6, opponent 7 became a vital game. Winning it would guarantee a place in the play-offs, a first in Cuda history. With this in mind the team arrived for the away game full of spirit and ready to tackle the Bath Killer Bees one more time.
By the 4th quarter the score remained tied at 6-6 after a hard start, with both teams missing their PAT attempts. Richard Lindsay leaped for a pick to break up the Bath drive late in the game bringing the Bristol Offence back onto the field. In the closing minutes a crucial FG attempt sailed wide to take the game into overtime as the Bath defence held up the Cuda with everything they had.
Players bruised and tired the teams took to the field for overtime which finally culminated in a passing touchdown to Will Morris taking the score to 12-6 where the game would finish. Cuda history had been achieved, BUAFL play-offs here we come!
Valentine's day 2010 was not to be a day for the Cuda this year. Despite an impeccable effort from the entire team and coaching staff the Bristol vs UWE Varsity game ended 21-38 at full time after a strong showing from the Bullets at both ends of the field.
A promising start for the Cuda with an early touchdown was not enough to hold off the determined UWE offence who levelled the score on their next drive. A few reverse plays later and the Cuda were trailing, never to catch up. A last minute piece of excellence however saw the game end of a high with a score by Owen Pursall from a Half Back pass play that had everybody cheering.
The Cuda go into their next match 5 and 1 with their heads held high, eyes firmly on a first ever BUAFL play-off game.
Bristol Barracuda have unveiled further details of their 2010 American Football Varsity spectator competition, Show Your Colours, ahead of this weekend's hotly anticipated clash with cross town rivals the UWE Bullets.
This Valentine's Day, experience the tradition, rivalry & passion of the 2010 Bristol Varsity series as the city's two collegiate American football teams compete for the pride of their respective Universities as well as the BUAFL division title.
The UWE Bullets must cross the
Kick off is at 3pm, and admission is free. A fully licensed bar and hot food will be available, along with live commentary and halftime entertainment. Directions available here
The Bristol Barracuda will once again host the South West's biggest and best Super Bowl party on Sunday 7th February as the New Orleans Saints face the Indianapolis Colts to determine the who will claim the Lombardi trophy in Super Bowl XLIV.
Two Jake Coleman touchdowns keyed a Barracuda 33-6 victory over the visiting Swansea Titans as Bristol kicked off 2010 with a fifth successive victory. Also on the scoresheet were Ed Newland-Pratt, Simon Constantine, and Tom Griffiths, while kicker Matt Brace hit three of his five extra points.
The Barracuda fixture against Cardiff Cobras ended in a 13-12 decision to the Cuda, placekicker Rich Lindsay's extra point providing the vital difference between two evenly matched teams. The Bristol touchdowns were scored by running backs Chris Mutono and Ed Newland-Pratt.
Due to heavy rain in Cardiff, this weekend's Barracuda fixture against Cardiff Cobras will now take place in Bristol, at the Filton WISE sports complex. Kicking off at 5pm Sunday, the 3-0 Cuda take on an experienced and versatile Cobras (1-1) team in a key Conference 3 clash.
Gusting winds over 30mph along with rain and hailstorms were not enough to prevent the Barracuda recording a third consecutive victory on Sunday.
The Barracuda continued their perfect start to the BUAFL season, travelling to Plymouth Blitz and coming home with a 25-6 victory. Chris Mutono scored twice on the ground, before Rich Lindsay returned an interception 29 yards and Ed Thompson capped the Cuda scoring with a 1-yard plunge. Plymouth's sole reply came from QB Adam Wright scoring on a 1-yard dash of his own in the fourth quarter.
Two touchdowns from club captain Jonny Khan keyed the Barracuda's opening day victory over Bath's Killer Bees, as the home side kicked off their 2009-10 BUAFL campaign with a 19-3 result.
The Barracuda have announced their latest partnership deal, joining forces with watchgamefilm.com to take advantage of their leading edge film service. Barracuda players and staff are able to upload and review game and practice film quickly and easily, helping them prepare for their next game.
The Bristol Barracuda kick off the 2009-10 BUAFL campaign with a home opener at the club's brand new match facility at Beggar's Bush. The Bath Killer Bees come into town for a Conference 3 South clash that will set the early tone in BUAFL's most competitive division.
The Cuda have announced their first major sponsor of the new season, signing popular Clifton watering hole, the White Harte, to be the club's 2009-10 social sponsor.
The White Harte will be the home of Cuda NFL Sundays, showing the best NFL action every weekend, as well as hosting post-match hospitality for the Cuda and their guests. Sunday 7th February will see the third annual Cuda Super Bowl Sunday take place at the White Harte, with the usual great action on offer, and the atmosphere to match.
Offensive lineman and 2008-09 club captain Jon Parr has become the first Barracuda player to win full Bristol University colours, and the 5th player to win colours for American Football in the club's short history. Winning half-colours for their 2008-09 exploits are defensive lineman Chris Humphreys and defensive back Andy Roberts.
The Bristol Barracuda have today confirmed they will return for a fourth year of training camp at Portway Rugby Development Centre as the 2009-10 campaign gets underway.
Bristol's American football fraternity arrived at Cuda Super Bowl Sunday to enjoy the climax of the NFL season, Super Bowl XLIII, and were not disappointed. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals combined to put on another thrilling finish to the season, with the Steelers snatching victory on Santonio Holmes' 6-yard touchdown reception with just 35 seconds remaining.
The Cuda rubbed shoulders with the likes of Olympic sprinter Jason Gardner and sailing Paralympian Stephen Thomas as they introduced flag football to an estimated 300 school pupils at the second annual Bristol Festival of School Sport.
Bristol University Barracuda are delighted to announce the launch of Cuda Flag.
Cuda tailback Jonny Khan pulled in a 5 TD haul as the Barracuda proved too strong for the visiting Tarannau Aberystwyth. Khan's three first half scores established an early advantage which the home side never relinquished, running out 54-8 winners.
The NFL's Super Bowl is back in Bristol this weekend as the Barracuda host the South West's biggest and best Super Bowl party. The Hill will be transformed into a little corner of America on Sunday February 1st, as the world's most widely watched sporting event takes centre stage.
The Barracuda played host to the perennial contenders from Cardiff University and produced a thrilling seesaw battle as 75 points were put on the scoreboard.
The Bristol Barracuda received an early Christmas present, as the club wrapped up a sponsorship agreement with leading UK sports supplier EP Sports.
Bristol Barracuda kick-started their 2008 season on Sunday, with a 48-12 victory over Buckinghamshire Buccaneers.
Scores from Cavaliers Ben Cagan and Matt Skillett were the decisive factors in propelling Oxford to a 12-0 victory over the Barracuda.
All players are reminded of the need to review travel arrangements for our away game to Oxford Cavaliers this weekend.
The Barracuda 2008/09 campaign got off to a slow start on Sunday, as the hosts suffered a 22-0 loss to visiting Plymouth Blitz.
Barracuda preparations for the new season of BUAFL were boosted this week with the announcement of Armasec Security as the team's Match Ball sponsor for the 2008-09 season.
All players are reminded of the need to review arrangements for our home game to Plymouth Blitz this weekend.
Bristol University Barracuda graduate Dave Egbosimba has today been unveiled as one of a select few athletes invited to take part in the NFL International Player Development camp, taking place at Bristol’s Filton WISE Bristol Academy of Sport this weekend (Saturday & Sunday 18th-19th October). If successful at this stage, Egbosimba will be invited to the International Player Mini-Camp in Seville, Spain for his shot at a place on an NFL roster, as part of the NFL’s International Player Development programme.
Barracuda practice continues this Sunday at 12 Midday. No special kit will be needed, you’ll be put through your paces on the grass surface, so bring boots suitable for grass and general sportswear/sweats.
The
Assessment gives everyone, new or experienced, the chance to try-out at
American football and also get a taste for the different positions on
offer. No special kit will be needed, you’ll be put through your paces
in a variety of drills on a rubber crumb astroturf surface while the
coaches assess you.
The Barracuda announced their newest sponsor today, as popular Clifton bar and restaurant The Hill joined the fold as Barracuda 2008-09 social sponsor. Great food and drinks, plus big screen American football are all on the menu, starting this weekend.
Following the BUAFL season, most students' attentions return to their studies and approaching exams, as well as the promise of summer vacation time. However, a number of Bristol Barracuda have taken the opportunity to test themselves at a higher level, not only playing but also coaching for a variety of top class American Football teams across the country, as well as representing Great Britain.
The Bristol Barracuda are delighted to announce today the signing of the Portway Rugby Development Centre as the team's home field for the 2008-09 season. Following negotiations with Portway RDC management, the new deal extends the already excellent relationship between club and venue to include full use of the newly installed match pitch.
It was a good night for the rookies, as no less than six first-year players collected trophies at the Barracuda Annual Awards ceremony. The Cuda were joined by the Bristol University Jets cheerleading squad, enjoying the hospitality of team sponsors The Black Bear.
Six Bristol Barracuda have today been added to the BUAFL MVP Team South squad. Following the weekend's Team South trials, offensive lineman Dan Hird and defensive back Alistair Willett have been invited to return for the South's next practice, where they will join Coaches Stone and Wilson. Team secretary Mike Daly and Director of Operations Phil Fear complete the contingent of Cuda involved at the highest level.
The Bristol Barracuda celebrated the close of their rookie league season last week by staging the inaugural Cuda Pool Tournament.
Cuda reporter Tom Graham looks back on the weekend when Super Bowl fever swept into Bristol:
The final game of the regular season saw the first of many cross-border clashes between the Cardiff Cobras and the newly formed Bristol Barracuda at an overcast and blustery Cardiff University Sports Pavillion.
All players are reminded of the need to review travel arrangements for our away game to Cardiff Cobras this weekend.
All players are reminded of the need to review travel arrangements for our away game to Plymouth Blitz this weekend.
The first ever Bristol American football Varsity was played out in storybook fashion, under bright lights and in front of a big crowd, as the newly formed Bristol University Barracuda took on the reigning National champion UWE Bullets.
Two Cuda scores in the second half of this contest were not enough to overcome the visiting Oxford Cavaliers as the away side built on a 12-0 half time lead to turn in a 37-14 result. The two teams had met the previous year, the Cuda surprising the veterans with a 16-0 result, but the return visit went
All players are reminded of the need to review arrangements for our home game to Oxford Cavaliers this weekend.
The NFL's Super Bowl is coming to Bristol as the city's own American Football team, the Barracuda, host the South West's biggest and best Super Bowl party. Bar Versa is the venue on Sunday February 3rd, as the world's most widely watched sporting event takes centre stage. The New England Patriots and New York Giants will clash to claim football's ultimate prize and hold aloft the Lombardi trophy as Super Bowl XLII champions.
The Black Bear was unveiled as the latest Cuda sponsor this week, signing a lucrative deal to sponsor the 2007-08 season's match balls and coaches' uniforms. The revamped bar and restaurant is also host to the popular Cuda team breakfasts, featuring a full range of American cooking on their extensive menu.
While BUAFL is on hiatus for the Winter break, Cuda players and staff have been keeping busy before the second half of the season kicks off in early 2008.
The inclement weather has struck again, meaning that this weekend's planned fixture against Bath Killer Bees has had to be postponed. Portway's pitches have suffered under the weight of the storms lashing the South West and so the game has been regrettably called off.
This weekend's Barracuda game, away to Cardiff Cobras, has been postponed due to pitch issues. Earlier today, Cardiff groundstaff deemed the Llanrumney pitch unplayable, putting the fixture in doubt. Both teams then worked together to attempt to stage the game in Bristol, however this was not possible. Therefore we can confirm that the game is postponed, with Sunday 24th February 2008 currently planned as the rescheduled date.
The first ever game between Bristol and UWE saw a first-half salvo from the Bullets that was enough to hold off the Cuda comeback. After trading early scores, UWE racked up a 34-6 advantage before the Bristol side came out in the second half with 16 unanswered points.
All players are reminded of the need to review arrangements for our away game to UWE Bullets this weekend.
Just one game into their first BUAFL season and the Cuda arrived in Bath for a surprise top of the table clash, but were unable to overcome a strong showing by the reigning South West champs.
All players are reminded of the need to review travel arrangements for our away game to Bath Killer Bees this weekend.
The Barracuda opened their first BUAFL campaign with a come from behind victory against the visiting Plymouth Blitz on Sunday. After the Blitz twice took the lead early on, the Cuda stepped up in the second half to shut out the opposition and take the game 34-14.
Due to an unplayable pitch at Stoke Lodge, the Cuda have rearranged their first BUAFL home game to take place at BAWA Sports & Leisure, Southmead Road, Bristol BS34 7RG.
The Bristol Barracuda today unveiled their new uniform for the 2007-08 season, sponsored by leading American football supplier College Jersey UK.
The Bristol Barracuda received a welcome boost this week, as the Royal Mail Sports Foundation awarded the club £400. Recognising the team's mandate to offer more sport to more people, the grant will be used to purchase new playing equipment, ready for the new BUAFL season.
The Assessment gives everyone, new or experienced, the chance to try-out at American football and also get a taste for the different positions on offer. No special kit will be needed, you’ll be put through your paces in a variety of drills on a rubber crumb astroturf surface while the coaches assess you.
Dave Egbosimba is a
The Bristol Barracuda have unveiled the latest additions to the Cuda coaching staff after a successful summer of recruitment. Four new coaches have joined the club as the Barracuda prepare for their first campaign in the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL). The staff now numbers 12 in total, one of the largest in the league and boasting over 85 years of combined experience.
The Bristol Barracuda are delighted to announce their 2007-08 BUAFL schedule.
The Barracuda have today inked another major sponsor, signing popular Clifton watering hole Bar Versa as the team's 2007-08 social sponsor. The deal, worth in excess of £3000, provides the Cuda with a superb venue for club events.
The Bristol Barracuda are delighted to announce that they have today joined BUAFL, the British Universities American Football League, ready to compete in the 2007-08 National Championship.
With preparations well underway for the Cuda's first season of competitive football, the University's American football team are delighted to announce their management committee for the 2007-08 season.
While most students were packing up for the summer, The Cuda had their minds on a different kind of bag, recently turning out in the community to support a good cause.
Oliver Chapman and Martin Sullivan were double award winners as the Barracuda gathered to celebrate their hugely successful inaugural year at the team's first Annual Awards.
Southern Wildcats 23 - 0 Northern Badgers
Three Bristol Barracuda have today been named to the BCAFL Southern Universities Wildcats squad. Defensive back James Taylor is joined by Coaches Wilson and Stone on the final roster.
The
All players are reminded of the need to review arrangements for our home game to Oxford Cavaliers this weekend.
The Bristol University Barracuda unveiled the latest addition to their star-studded coaching staff, with the signing of Running Backs Coach Dave Sherwin. Sherwin is an
The
All players are reminded of the need to review arrangements for our home game to Gloucestershire Gladiators this weekend.
Bristol University Barracuda 30 @ Gloucestershire Gladiators 0
Sunday 18th Feb
The Bristol University Barracuda, sponsored by Deloitte, ran out comfortable winners in their first ever fixture, against fellow rookies the Gloucestershire Gladiators, by a scoreline of 30–0. In perfect conditions at the Prince of Wales Stadium,
All players are reminded of the need to review travel arrangements for our away game to Gloucestershire Gladiators this weekend.
Deloitte is one of the biggest players in the professional services arena, serving a vast client list that includes some of the most famous industry names in the world. They are the Cuda's principal sponsor in the team's inaugural season.
Meanwhile, the Cuda will take to the field for the very first time, in a game with plenty of local bragging rights at stake. February 18th will see the Cuda travel to the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham, to take on the Gloucestershire Gladiators. Kick off is at 1pm. Contact team@bristolbarracuda.co.uk for details.
The Barracuda took to the air this week, as players Harry Paget & Pete Hobson popped into the BBC Radio Bristol studio to chat with presenter Ali Vowles about the team's first season, as well as this weekend's Superbowl.
All players are reminded that the next Cuda team meeting is a classroom session, this Thursday 1st February from 8pm.
The first Cuda Spring Practice is in the books, as players and coaches worked for the first time at the team's new training location on historic Clifton Downs, in the heart of Bristol.Following a successful first half of the Cuda affiliate season, Bristol University Head Coach Tim Stone confirms the Barrcuda Coaching staff.
The first draft of the Bristol Barracuda Website is now live. Cudafootball.com will form the hub of the Cuda communication chain over the upcoming months.