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Cuda History 

Browse through the annals of the Bristol Barracuda. 

1999: University of Bristol students are recruited to play for the Bristol Combined Universities Bullets, previously the UWE Bullets , administered through and representing the University of the West of England 

 

2000: Bullets President Charlie Wilson and Head Coach Steve Jones establish a long term goal to form a University of Bristol American Football team, once the Bullets are stable enough to support themselves through UWE alone. 

 

2003: Offensive Lineman Tom Naisbitt becomes the first University of Bristol student to be selected to the Great Britain Universities' Bulldogs. Running Back Alessandro Angeloni becomes the first University of Bristol student to play in the American Football World Cup, representing Italy. 

2005: In March, founding members Charlie Wilson and Phil Fear meet to put in place the infrastructure of a University of Bristol American Football programme. Key principles are decided; further development of the sport in Bristol; exploit untapped potential in the area; and avoid the dilution of existing teams wherever possible. The 'Barracuda' are born... 

 

2006: University of Bristol Alumni, Abdul Bah, Dave Sherwin and Kieran Balmer meet with Charlie Wilson and Phil Fear to put in place the Barracuda development plan. 

 

The Barracuda devlopment committee, lead by Adrian Jetter and Anish Satija take the business plan to the University of Bristol Athletic Union . The formation of the first University of Bristol American Football Team is approved. 

 

On the 26th March 2006 a motion is proposed at the British Collegiate American Football League AGM by the National Management Committee and seconded by the Birmingham Lions , that the Bristol University Barracuda be accepted into BCAFL as associate members for the 2006/7 season. The motion is passed unanimously by the 37 member teams. 

 

In October 2006 the Barracuda sign up 101 members at the University of Bristol 'Fresh' event and recruit former Great Britain Bulldogs Coach, Tim Stone as the team's inaugural Head Coach. 

 

Practice begins on the 3G astroturf facility at Portway Rugby Development Centre. 

 

2007: The Bristol University Barracuda sign their first sponsor in the form of Deloitte, a global blue chip financial services company. 

On the 18th of February 2007 the Bristol University Barracuda travel to Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham to play their first ever fixture against the Gloucestershire University Gladiatiors. The Barracuda emerge victorious 30-0 in front of a crowd of 300 spectators. 
The finer details of the second Barracuda associate fixture, against the Portsmouth Destroyers, cannot be agreed and the Gloucestershire Gladiators step in for a return fixture in Bristol. In a game hampered by heavy driving rain and storms, the Barracuda once again shut out Gloucestershire 14-0. 
The Barracuda cap their affiliate fixture list off with a 16-0 victory over the Oxford University Cavaliers. The Barracuda finish 2007 undefeated and without conceeding a point. 

On Saturday the 24th March 2007 the member teams of the British Collegiate American Football league vote the Bristol University Barracuda in to the league as full members ready for the 2007/8 season. 

Defensive Back James Taylor becomes the first Bristol Barracuda player, and first ever player from a rookie team, to be selected to the Southern Universities Wildcats to play in the annual BCAFL Allstar game. Coach Stone and Coach Wilson are selected to the Wildcats coaching staff. 

BSAFA and BCAFL are closed down by BAFA and are replaced by the British University American Football League (BUAFL). The Barracuda become founding members of BUAFL.

 

2007/08: The Bristol University Barracuda record first league win against Plymouth Blitz 34-14 on Nov 11th 2007. The team finish their maiden BUAFL campaign with a record of 1-6-1.

 

2008/09: The Bristol University Barracuda continue to make small progress finishing the year with a record of 2-6-0.

2009/10: The Bristol University Barracuda defy the odds, and in only their 3rd season in the league turn things around to finish 7-1-0 and making Playoff football for the first time! Unfortunately after taking an early lead against the reigning national champions, the Barracuda hopes are dashed by a strong Birmingham Lions squad.

 

2010/11: The Cuda progress yet again with another strong finish 7-1-0, but this time go one step further in the playoffs winning round 1 vs Kent. This was followed by a tough loss against Herts putting an end to the championship hopes for another season.

The club win 3 big awards recognising the big strides made by the program in a short space of time - NFL UK University Club of the Year 2011, UBU Best Student Group 2011, Bristol Sports Club of the Year 2011

Cuda produces its first League MVP - Russ Waddell (Defense)

2013/14: Jimmy Anderson Appointed HC. 

2014/15: Bristol go 3-4 in the BUCS South West Division. 

 

2015/16: Ben Cooper appointed as new Head Coach. Bristol end the BUCS season 6-2. Quarterback Clay Rust leads the Barracuda, setting both passing and rushing yard records for the club.  

 

2016/17: The Barracuda end the season with a 4-2 record. Having progressed to the BUCS playoffs, Cuda suffered an agonising, double overtime loss to the Brunel Burners. Bristol Varsity ends 26-6 in favour of UWE. 

 

2017/18: The Barracuda go 2-5 in the league, losing tight games to Southampton and Oxford Brookes. Bristol produce one of their most impressive Varsity Performances, losing 14-20 to UWE at Coombe Dingle. Offensive Line coach and Cuda Alum Toby Smyth wins Bristol SU Student Coach of the Year. 

2018/19: Simon Preston appointed as new Head Coach. The Cuda go 5-2 under President and Secretary duo Jacob Wood and Sam Leale-Green. Despite their record, Bristol finish third in the 2A South West, missing out on playoffs to the 3-3 University of East London. 

2019/20: The Cuda go 7-0 in Coach Preston's second season at the helm, achieving the first unbeaten season in the team's history and securing promotion to BUCS Division 1 South West. Following a 35-20 victory over KCL in the first round of the playoffs, this historic campaign was cut short by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

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