Moving to the David Ross Sports Village, at the University of Nottingham, has been but one of many highlights for Vanden Warner’s Nottingham Caesars off-season.
The past few months, in preparing for the new British American Football Association (BAFA) NFC1 South campaign has been nothing short of stellar, from announcing new coaches, to a plethora of high-calibre players to their already talented roster.
Having come close to the post-season last time around, Head Coach Warner has been busier than ever with his ‘Maroon and Gold’ stars, and, at the turn of the year, showed a strong hand when revealing their coaching line-up for the year ahead.
Joining Coach Warner are the following, with some familiar, and some new, names; the offensive coaches – Mike Romano (Offensive Pass Game), Grant Lawless (Offensive Run Game), alongside fellow offense coaches in Alex Bartley, Peter Brown, Mark Price, and Lloyd Stone; the defensive coaches are – Laura Moore (Defensive Run Game), Mike Holden (Defensive Pass Game), alongside defensive coaches Simon Hand, Rob Hardwick, Josh Marriott, and Karl Scott, as well as physiotherapist, Rebecca Stratfull.
Warner said of the coaching announcements that: “I’m really excited about the team we have assembled this year.
“I have no doubt that with their hard work and dedication we will have a successful season.”
That “successful season” will be nothing less than championship glory, something which they’ve certainly been building towards in recent years.
National call-ups, of both players and coaches, BUCS finals day, and birthday celebrations apart, the influx of new players has also very much excited.
Some 25 new players have been added to the Caesars roster over the past few months, some very exciting, and experienced, established players amongst them.
So, who have they added? Let’s run through the new 25….
Samuel Fraser – member of the GB National Program, he joins from a spell in Germany
Elliott Jeffrey – joins the Caesars from the Sheffield Giants, already causing problems in on-field training routines
Henry Scanlon – played, and coaches, at University of Nottingham
Will Jepson – experienced veteran who joins from Tamworth Phoenix
Will Hobbs – a homecoming for Hobbs who’s racked up experience, at home, and abroad, in recent years
Sammy Robertson – Bosa arrives at the club from the successful Loughborough side
Mickey Fisher – he’s back!! Fisher re-joins the Caesars from the Tamworth Phoenix, and successful outings with University of Nottingham
Niall Simpson – former Caesars Junior offensive player, the explosive player arrives from Loughborough
Ben Harrison – recently selected for GB Men’s, his height and strength is brought from the NTU Renegades
Amreese Dhillon – known as the ‘Wembley Tebow,’ has the arms, and the speed to match
Luke McCorkindale Brown – young running back who arrives from the NTU Renegades
Tom Gore – defensive lineman from Loughborough’s BUCS side, previously with the Methodist Monarchs
Callum Tinson – former NTU Renegade bringing more talent to the roster
James Draper – joins from Tamworth Phoenix having spent time with Loughborough, and London Blitz
Wellington Tafirey – experienced, back-field player, Tafirey can count Huddersfield Hawks, Tamworth Phoenix and Herts Cheetahs amongst past clubs
Jordan Lee – a former Caesars junior and GB Lions U19, returning home
Josh Jackaman – captained Loughborough in the BUCS Finals, arrives from Suffolk ide, Ipswich Cardinals
Dan Nicholls – offensive lineman returns to the Caesars after time away
James Arron – a young prospect who’s gathered experience with the Derby Braves and Leicester Panthers, before moving across the East Midlands to Notts
Xavier Marshall – a former NTU Edge defensive player who brings speed to the roster
Lambi Demetriou – an inside lineman who’s experience includes the London Blitz U19s, and the NFL Academy
Jack Rice – a line-backer who arrives with international experience having spent time across the border, in Scotland, and in Europe, in Germany
Jack Dettlaff – joins a now stacked defense, the line-backer arriving from rivals, Chester Romans
John Wildey – offensive lineman who joins from the Warwick Wolves
Alex Stocks – returns to Nottingham following a spell in London
Whilst the team captains for the new season are that of Will Hobbs, Karim Hamdi, Mark Martin, Liam McGovern, and Josh Oluwatosin.
Coach Warner added, when discussing the team captains for the new season: “Words cannot express how proud I am of these outstanding leaders.
“They are a true embodiment of what it means to be a Caesars player, leading by example both on and off the field.
“Their dedication, commitment and passion for the game is simply unparalleled.
“With these captains leading the way, I have no doubt that we will achieve great success ths season.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have them on the team.”
Of the Caesars roster, on, and off field, a sizeable contingent were also selected to be part of this years’ GB Lions adult squad, with seven players, and four coaching staff, called up.
They are Ben Harrison (WR), Josh Oluwatosin (WR), Elliot Harvey (WR), Liam McGovern (QB), Sam Fraser (DB), Will Hobbs (DB), Sammy Robertson (NT), Sean Endicott (Film Coordinator), Lloyd Stone (Operations Assistant), Dean Malpass (Defensive Assistant), and Grant Lawless (Team Manager and TE Coach).
The fixtures for the Nottingham Caesars in the BAFA NFC 1 South (2023 Season) are as follows –
30 April vs. Sheffield Giants (h); 7 May vs. Sheffield Giants (a); 14 May vs. Birmingham Bulls (h); 21 May vs. Sandwell Steelers (a); 4 June vs. Northants Knights (a); 11 June vs. Sandwell Steelers (h); 18 June vs. Northants Knights (h); 2 July vs. Chester Romans (a); 16 July vs. Chester Romans (h); 23 July vs. Birmingham Bulls (a).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @CaesarsFootball the team is hoping for a successful season ahead.
