The UWE Bristol Bullets have had a bad taste in their mouth after a heart breaking loss in the National Quarter-Final against the eventual National Champions Portsmouth Destroyers. The game itself was very close, very physical and extremely intense. The 2010/11 Bullets fell just short losing the game 9 – 14 after a fumble on their own 2 yard line, which Portsmouth converted for the winning score!

John Bateman introducing himself to a running back

The Bullets were very proud of what they achieved in what was considered to be a re-building year, starting many rookie players in all three phases of the game. That said, falling short after working so hard, especially the way they did, means only one thing: UNFINISHED BUSINESS!

OL/FB Shane Prosser at Filton Pride

With that in mind the UWE Bullets have been promoting their program to many youth graduates around the country but specifically at the local American Football Academy – Filton Pride. The Pride did very well in their first year in their league and shocked American teams with their heart filled, hard hitting veer football. This was something that UWE Head Coach Mat Dyke saw first hand while helping the young QB’s within the team. With support from Pride Head Coach Ben Herod, and UWE’s Centre for Sport application flagging, the Bullets are proud to have 5 Filton Pride starters joining UWE and the Bullets this season; Shane Prosser (All European Guard), Cameron Parker (Great Britain Lions starting CB, EFAF championship qualifier, All Star selection CB, All Conference WR in League Europe, and Pride team captain), Jamiel Tinto (Aztec Youth running record holder), Chris Green, and Idrissa Fornah.

SS Cam Parker at Aztec Youth

Aztec Youth All Time Rusher Jamiel Tinto

The UWE Bullets’ three back to back conference titles have also helped recruit two Great Britain Youth Running Backs in Craig McLeod and Ryan Morton, who are both extremely raw but greatly athletic. They have had some good coaching and are looking to try and replace the large hole left by the graduation of Bullet superstar Sam Stalbow. They will be joining a very strong returning unit of players and HC/OC Mat Dyke is extremely excited about the Running Back stable and seeing them challenge each other every session to fight for carries. Running Back coach Oliver Barrett added “With the combination of returning talent and the experience our new faces will bring to the table I am looking forward to a very big year for this unit and for the team as a whole. They are all very different Backs but they will all bring the same level of intensity and talent to the table that has come to be expected of Bullets Running Backs”.

GB Youth RB Craig McLeod

WR Chris Green

As if that wasn’t enough, the UWE Bullets are proud to announce they will be joined by former Cardiff Cobra, John Bateman. John will be attending UWE for one season only, while he completes his PGCE. John played RB and LB for the Cardiff Cobras a few years ago and since then has been playing for The Warriors based in South Wales. He has been a true leader in the teams he has played for in the past and the Bullets are looking forward to seeing if he can help lead and inspire a talent filled unit of Linebackers this season. John will be joining the Bullets a little later than expected as he is playing in the Division Two BritBowl Final on September 25th. The UWE Bullets wish him good luck and hope that he gets The Warriors back to where they belong!

GB Youth RB Ryan Morton

The Bullets are going into try-outs with 50 names before Fresher’s Fair has even started! This will be a very exciting time to be a Bullet for sure. If you are interested in trying out for what is going to be a great year then contact Head Coach Mat Dyke (mattydqb8@hotmail.co.uk) ASAP!

Aztec Senior DE Idrissa Fornah