VARSITY BOWL CURUFC, Grange Road
Sunday 30 November 2014 th
IX
KO 16:00
Cambridge Pythons -v- Oxford Lancers
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CREDITS EDITOR
Steve Guy
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Tom Carr, Martin Steers, Jack Tavener
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cover: Garry Neesam, glnphotography.com Samir Hosein, Chris Moore, Jack Tavener
DESIGN
Tom Carr & Jack Tavener
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CAMBRIDGE PYTHONS SEASON 2014/15 Proudly supported by
Welcome from the President T
he 2014/15 season has already been one of great successes for the Pythons, with over 25 new players now representing the team after an unprecedented recruitment drive, pushing our squad above 40 for the first time since reforming three years ago. Despite these numbers though, we continue to recruit all year round, training people up irrespective of experience so get in touch if you want to come to a taster session. This alongside additional coaches, increased training, more press coverage, our cheeky trickshot video getting seen across the internet, better engagement with other societies and setting up our own Cambridge University American Football Society for those who prefer to follow the game than play (how is this even possible?!). And we bring confidence after a 58-0 win at Canterbury, building on a tough season opener against OBU. But really, today is what means everything to the team and to you, our supporters. It’s what we train all year for, the tireless hours of work at practice, in the gym, promoting the team, fundraising and managing our squad. Everything focused on achieving a Light Blue victory and performing in Varsity. We already host our annual Superbowl Party in Lent term, but this is by far the biggest event the team has ever put on and it is with great pleasure CURUFC have been working with us to bring the match to Grange Road. I’d like to thank all the staff at the club for all their efforts to put together today’s fixture. We very much hope you enjoy the game, the atmosphere and all that’s going on to accompany the match. The gameday programme includes information to get you up to speed with American football rules and the Pythons team, whilst there is food and drink in the bar (including Thanksgiving pie contest at half time by the American Society), stunts and routines from the Cambridge Cougars cheerleaders, live commentary and even Pythons merchandise for sale. We’ll all be heading to the official Varsity Match Afterparty at Fez after the game, wristbands available for priority queue and discounted entry for what will be a massive night! As ever, thank you for coming out to support the Club, for your kind donations to help pay for the extra costs of running this match despite an absence of sports funding and for making this event a success. We hope you have an amazing night! GDBO
Jack Tavener
President, Cambridge University Pythons
A Season of Expectation 2014/15 so far...
2014/15 Season BUAFL East Conference 2014-15 Kent Falcons UEA Pirates Oxford Lancers Oxford Brookes Panthers Cambridge Pythons Essex Blades Canterbury Chargers Anglia Ruskin Rhinos
W 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 0
L 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 1
C
oming into the 2014-15 season the general consensus among those in the know was that the new-look East Conference (Northampton and Herts being moved to other conferences and replaced by Oxford and Oxford Brookes) would see Cambridge as favourites with the established perennial contenders of Kent and UEA snapping at their heels. Early days yet, but it has not quite panned out that way‌ As is always the case with college football, whether with Cambridge and Oxford or the likes of UCLA and Notre Dame, all teams see a significant turnover of players each season as old players graduate and new players arrive. This can make predicting things a tricky task. Even so, not many budding pundits would have picked both of the two Oxford-based teams having a real go at upsetting the applecart so spectacularly. Kent can certainly testify to this, needing double overtime to beat Oxford Brookes and then hanging on by their fingernails to beat Oxford by one point. Oxford had already logged their first win by that point having trounced Anglia Ruskin 62-0. Oxford Brookes made up for the disappointment of the Kent loss by shutting out Cambridge in a shock 10-0 victory (Cambridge’s first loss at home for almost two years).
Cambridge got their season back on track after that defeat by beating Canterbury away 58-0 in a game played in horrendous weather. Both Cambridge and Oxford come into today’s clash with a 1-1 record for the season and knowing that a victory, aside from the eternal glory of a Varsity victory, will also be a serious boost to their respective playoff hopes.
Meet the Pythons profiles
PLAYERS
1 Darren Harvey – The only Scot on the current roster. This linebacker has played previously in both Scotland and Belgium. A fan of Heart of Midlothian. 3 Stephen Ford – Wiry rookie wide receiver from Nottingham. Very recognisable from the Eric Dickerson-style sports goggles he wears. Mike Armstrong – Rookie defensive back from Ireland. Injury has limited action for him this season. 4 Tom Southern – Defensive back from London now in his second season with the team. One of several heavy metal fans in the team. 5 Jordan Sandberg – American wide receiver from Florida. Studying Psychology at Cambridge. Undergraduate degree was at Florida State University. 7 Alex Butcher – Tall rookie defensive back from London studying Medicine. 8 Joseph Yarwood – Despite never playing the game prior to joining the Pythons, the Londoner has been the starting quarterback since 2011. 9 Sam Roberts – Elusive rookie running back. Originally from Stafford. Scored his first touchdown against Canterbury. 10 Jaason Geerts – PhD student and a Canadian of Dutch extraction. The captain of the university ice hockey team (holds a Full Blue). A physical presence at wide receiver and a vocal team leader. 11 Daniel Brock – Tall rookie linebacker/defensive back from Berkshire. 12 Richard Hobbs – One of the heavy metal fans. Second year defensive back from London. 13 Tom Zhang – Physical rookie running back and economics student. Scored four TDs against Canterbury. 14 Akilesh Mulay – From Birmingham. Second year quarteback and wide receiver. His slight frame disguises a powerful and accurate throwing arm. 15 Cam Rae – Running back/wide receiver. Originally from New Jersey, but studied his degree in Scotland. Oscar Maclean – Leeds native and rookie linebacker. Injury has limited participation in the first two games of the season but looking to return in for the second half of the season. 16 Rob Brewster – Part of the University of Sheffield roster that won the 2012 Challenge Trophy. Had an interception against Oxford Brookes 17 Harry Richer – Pocket rocket linebacker from London in his first season with the team. Previously played for the Watford Cheetahs in the senior league. Dual British and US citizenship. 20 Joe Moore – Running back with electrifying speed. His second season, voted Rookie of the Year last season. 21 James Digby – Impressive rookie running back from High Wycombe. Whisper it - he went to school in Oxford… 25 Ned Bransden – all-action rookie linebacker from Wales. After only two games already has made several big plays. 29 Sam Thompson – This defensive back from Kent with a long mane of hair. Another heavy metal fan and big fan of all Boston sports teams. 32 Jack Tavener – Current Pythons President. Versatile player in all three phases of the game. Now in his fourth season. 42 Guy Peters – Former Team President. Defensive back who lead the team with five interceptions last season. 43 Daniil Miroshnichenko – Tall red-headed rookie defensive back from Saint Petersburg, Russia. Nicknamed ‘Drago’ by tongue-tied coaches after the character from ‘Rocky IV’! 46 Jon Mailes – Rookie player from Cornwall. Injury has limited his contribution so far. 50 Ram Sarujan – A fan of the St Louis Rams (appropriately!). Third season with the team. Started as a defensive tackle, but now established as a center. Previously wore #78
52 Tom Carr – A blitzing linebacker with an eye for the big play. Previously played for the University of Westminster. That most rare of creatures – a Cambridge student from Cambridge! 55 Ed Cozens – Fourth year player. An explosive lineman. Injury severely limited action for him last season. 56 Samir Hosein – Rookie offensive lineman from Trinidad & Tobago. His first game was last week against Canterbury. 58 Glenn He – Offensive lineman in his first season. Previously played for Fudan University in his native China. 60 Eugene Seah – Rookie offensive lineman and the first ever Python player from Singapore. 66 Sipke Shaughnessy – A rookie offensive lineman and rower hailing from Cork, Ireland. 68 Richard Alloway – First year defensive tackle from London. Forced a fumble against Canterbury whilst sacking the quarterback. 75 Tim Allen – PhD student from Essex and a pass-rushing defensive lineman. Scored a fumble recovery touchdown against Westminster in 2012. 77 Niklas Ek – Giant rookie offensive lineman from Stockholm. One of a number of Pythons from a rugby background. Fluent in Swedish, German and English. 78 Constantine Capsakis – Rookie offensive lineman from Greece. 80 James Stratford – Second year wide receiver from Essex. Injury has meant limited time this season so far. Ella Nicol-Harper – Rookie wide receiver hailing from the other place, Varsity will be her first game playing for the Pythons having finally managed to rearrange rowing priorities corrected. 87 Basil Woods – Rookie wide receiver from Suffolk. Already making an impact on special teams. 89 Toshan Wickramanayake – Nicknamed ‘Tosh’, a rookie wide receiver from Colombo, Sri Lanka and a fan of Penn State. COACHES & STAFF Head Coach - Julian Fuller – Now in his fifth season as Head Coach (in two separate spells: 1996-97 & 2011-Present). Of Native American extraction and a fan of the Detroit Lions. Offensive Coordinator - Len Scott – Very experienced coach and offensive guru with over 20 years of experience coaching in the British game. Defensive Coordinator - Gary Villiers – His second season with the Pythons. Had 11 seasons as a defensive lineman for teams in and around London in the senior league. Special Teams Coach - Craig Driver – Affectionately known as ‘Coach Driver’. Played tight end for Sheffield Hallam University, now in his second season coaching. Lineman Coach Dan Harriss – This is his first season coaching after recently retiring as a player after a successful career in the senior league. Assistant Coach - Alistair Gempf – Newly qualified as a coach whilst recuperating from injury. We hope to see him back on the field in 2015 Team Assistant - Dave Williams – As a high school player he earned 2009 Virginia All-State honours. Currently undertaking postgraduate study at Cambridge. Team Assistant - Luke Schumacher – From Indiana. He played college football for Army. Currently undertaking postgraduate study at Cambridge Gameday Manager - Peter Baker – Much loved 12th Man for the Pythons. The only person to have attended every Pythons game ever played. Another Detroit Lions fan. Co-General Manager - Steve Guy – Played defensive back for the Pythons in the 1990s. Also responsible for stats and equipment management. Co-General Manager - Martin Steers – Played linebacker and defensive lineman for Anglia Ruskin in the noughties. Also responsible for social media and team finances.
Rules Of The Game
courtesy of and © Fraser Davidson
A
merican Football traces its origins to early versions of rugby football in the mid-19th century. Several major rule divergences resulted in the game that exists today, such as the introduction of the ‘line of scrimmage’ and the ‘down and distance’ rules among others. A maximum of 11 players for each team are allowed on the field at one time. The team that possesses the ball is called the offense and tries to advance the ball down the field. The offense can score points by advancing the ball over the goal-line to score a touchdown (worth 6 points), or kick it through the uprights to score a field-goal (worth 3 points). After a touchdown the offense has the choice to either try and kick the ball between the uprights for a further 1 point, or attempt a riskier offensive play from the three yard line for a further 2 points. The team not in possession of the ball is called the defence. They attempt to stop the offensive team and force it to give up possession of the ball. If they do this successfully then both teams will switch roles.
All progress in American Football is measured in yards. The offensive team tries to get as much ‘yardage’ as it can to try and move closer to the opponent’s end zone. Each time the offense gets the ball they have four downs, or chances, to gain 10 yards. If they do this successfully they earn themselves a ‘first down’ and 4 more chances to gain another 10 yards. If they fail this then the offense loses possession of the ball. If the offense reaches fourth down, they will usually punt the ball away to give them better field position to defend.
We play 12 minute quarters, half time is 15 minutes, and there is a 2 minute break at the end of the first and third quarters as teams change ends. When all four quarters have been played the team with the most points is declared the winner. If both teams are tied at the end of the fourth quarter the game goes into overtime until a victor emerges.
Watch the Video
Gameday
what you need to know Schedule 3:00pm - Gates Open 3:10pm - Warmups 3:30pm - Lineups & Card Check 4:00pm - Kick-Off
Commentary brought to you by CamFM 97.2 with Jason Harris Talksport and former Oxford player & Dr Thomas Piachaud Full Blue in American football and former Cambridge player
Live match video steam provided via our YouTube channel Check out our Varsity Match highlights and trickshot videos too youtube.com/CambridgePythons
T
he Cambridge Cougars are proud to support the Pythons at their Varsity Match every year with a display involving stunting, chanting, and jumps.
The Cougars, Cambridge University’s competitive cheerleading squad, were set up in 2007. We’ve since grown to be a 30+ member squad combining skills in stunting, dance, tumbling, and gymnastics. We enter at least one national competition every year, usually in the spring. At our last competition, ‘Future Cheer University Championships’ in February 2014, we placed 3rd in the Level 2 division, as well as beating Oxford at Varsity for the second year in a row!
Gameday Roster Pythons
# 1 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 25 29 32 42 43 46 50 52
Name Darren HARVEY Stephen FORD Mike ARMSTRONG Tom SOUTHERN Jordan SANDBERG Alex BUTCHER Joe YARWOOD Sam ROBERTS Jaason GEERTS Daniel BROCK Richard HOBBS Tom ZHANG Akhilesh MULAY Cam RAE Oscar MACLEAN Rob BREWSTER Harry RICHER Joe MOORE James DIGBY Ned BRANSDEN Sam THOMPSON Jack TAVENER Guy PETERS Daniil MIROSHNICHENKO Jon MAILES Ram SARUJAN Tom CARR
College Darwin Selwyn Magdalene Robinson Clare Trinity Selwyn Selwyn Sidney Sussex Churchill Robinson St John’s Queens’ Robinson Homerton Homerton Gonville & Caius Sidney Sussex St Catharine’s Girton St John’s Pembroke Queens’ St Catharine’s St Catharine’s Corpus Christi I.C.E.
55 56 58 60 66 68 75 77 78 80
Ed COZENS Samir HOSEIN Glenn HE Eugene SEAH Sipke SHAUGHNESSY Richard ALLOWAY Tim ALLEN Niklas EK Constantine CAPSAKIS James STRATFORD Ella NICOL-HARPER 87 Basil WOODS 89 Toshan WICKRAMANAYAKE
Homerton Corpus Christi St Edmunds Girton St John’s St Catharine’s St John’s Jesus Girton Peterhouse Trinity Hall Robinson Trinity
Head Coach Julian FULLER Offensive Coordinator Len SCOTT Defensive Coordinator Gary VILLIERS Special Teams Coach Craig DRIVER Lineman Coach Dan HARRISS Assistant Coach Alistair GEMPF Team Assistant Dave WILLIAMS Team Assistant Luke SCHUMACHER Gameday Manager Peter BAKER Co-General Manager Co-General Manager
Steve GUY Martin STEERS
Gameday Roster Lancers
# 1 5 10 12 15 17 19 21 22 23 27 32 33 38
Name Ahmad NASIR Scott TAN Adam WONGSUWARN William SZYMANSKI Jerod COKER James HUFFER Kirandeep SAINI Stuart SANDERS Benjamin GRONVOLD George FOUNTAIN Benedict SHILLITO Thomas FOX Nick COOPER Jonathan BROOKS
45 52 55 66 68 69 72 77 79 87
Ilia ONISCHENKO Panayiotis CHRISTOFOROU Matthew GORE Joseph SORREL Oliver CARNELL Hendrik SCHOPMANS Ryan DAVIES Matthew ENGLISH Pooya HOSEINZADEH Andrew HARTLAND Thomas POSA Peter GRAHAM Alex DALE Oscar PERSOPOLISH
The Opponents O
xford are now in their third season in the BUAFL since reforming. The first two seasons back were hard for the Dark Blues, finishing both without a win (although they did hold Cambridge to a thrilling 14-14 tie when the two teams met in 2012 and the formbook was tossed away). The current season has already seen a marked improvement. Now with significant playing experience under their belts and some very good American players added to their roster, Oxford opened the 2014/15 season by breaking the winless streak in spectacular fashion with a thumping 62-0 win over Anglia Ruskin which made everyone in the league sit up and take notice. They followed this up with an agonising 7-6 loss to the highly fancied and wellregarded Kent side. Despite it being a defeat, the closeness of the result and nature of the performance has signalled that Oxford are back! The real glory days for Oxford University American football were in the early noughties. 2001 National Champions (defeating Loughborough 26-23 in the final) and then finishing runners-up the following year (Loughborough gaining a measure of revenge with a 39-23 win). It is hoped that the opening victory of this season is the signal of the start of a new era of success.
Welcome
from the Lancers
It is a privilege to lead the 2014-15 Oxford Lancers to Cambridge to play in 4th annual American Football Varsity match. I would first like to thank the Staff at Grange Road for allowing us to play the fixture on this historic ground. As always we are expecting a tough, hard-hitting game in which we are looking for payback for last years result. We are bringing a competitive squad with a solid core of veteran players mixed with talented rookies as we look to replicate our performances from the first two games of the season. I look forward to seeing size and audience of this game continue to grow and am very proud to be part of this great rivalry.
Tom Fox
President, Oxford University Lancers
Heart of the Pythons
founder & American football Full Blue Name: Dr Thomas Piachaud College: Fitzwilliam Subject Studied: PhD Physics Years Studied: 2010-2014 Hometown: London Teams Played For: University of Southampton Stags (4 years), Southern Sundevils (senior league,1 year), London Blitz (senior league, 1 year), London Warriors (senior league, 5 years), Cambridge Pythons (3 years). Honors: 2008 National University Championship (Southampton), 2 x Senior
Championships (1 x London Blitz, 1 x London Warriors), Played for Great Britain in the 2013 European Champiosnhips What was your usual playing position with the Pythons? Guard/Centre and Defensive End You were the driving force behind the team reforming in 2010 - how did that come about? For me it was pretty simple, Cambridge did not have a team, I had the time and energy to help make it happen, so I did. Not without the great help of Steve Guy and Chris Wallis at the beginning, and with Julian Fuller, Len Scott and Martin Steers really helping to push the program forward were we able to make some headway. For us it was a simple case of recruit, recruit, recruit. Being Cambridge there was talent around, it was finding out how to entice them to try a new game. I’m not going to lie - the early days were tough and there were times when I asked myself whether it was worth it, but looking back now I’m glad that the thing I started is now giving back to people way beyond our initial reach. What was the best thing about being a Python? I still am and always will be a Python! Off the field the work I put in, along with others, spoke for itself in us being able to field a team. On the field however, I wanted to install an atmosphere of class and comradeship. One of the things about being a Python is the game never got to us. If we were losing our sideline would be no different from when we
were winning. On so many occasions this ability to stay unphased by the game led to us to fourth quarter victories. For me the single greatest feeling was seeing a new player come in, not really understand the team sport mentality or what American football is about, and then halfway through the season looking across at this guy in full kit, motivating his team mates!The Pythons spirit is one of being proud of ourselves in the way we handle ourselves, as well as being proud to step on the same field as the opposition. (Although that being said i am most likely the most penalised player in Pythons history!) How did you throwing a touchdown pass in the game last season against Anglia Ruskin come about? In my final season I made a deal with the coaches that I wanted at least one drive in at quarterback. They smugly told me if we ever go into the 3rd quarter of a game, more than 40 up, then you can! Playing Anglia Ruskin in my last season it was clear we were a cut above them (to be fair to them though, they did put everything on the field that day), it was the fourth quarter and our quarterback runs to the huddle and hands me his wrist coach saying “You’re in Tom”. I was in disbelief, but in true lineman-who-got-toplay-QB-style, I took to it like a heavily obese duck to....tar perhaps? Three plays in and the fated dart-like throw (read lobbed) to someone who actually knew how to catch (American wide receiver Jake Moore) and I got my first ever throwing touchdown! I have now retired from the quarterback profession 1-for-1, 7yards, 1TD which gives me an NFL QB rating of 137.9 BEAT THAT PEYTON! How does it feel being the only person in the centuries of history at Cambridge and Oxford to have been awarded a Full Blue for American football? There’s no doubt that the awarding of the Full Blue for me was a big personal achievement, but it also furthers the legitmacy that is growing for the sport in the UK. Yes, we aren’t the NFL, and no, we would lose against most US high school teams, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are 30-40 guys turning up week in, week out to play a sport where no one cares, no one is watching (most of the time), and most people don’t understand the rules! Perhaps, in a small way, my award can go towards changing attitudes towards American football that expect it to be the same level as America, which, without the investment of time, money and training it needs, it never will be, but that’s OK. The Pythons have now submitted their blues status application and look forward to keeping you informed when we hear more.
That Throw
Recruitment I
join the team - just get in touch
nterested in coming to a session to try it? We recruit players throughout the year, regardless of experience and the team is open to men and women.
We’re also looking for people to help with coaching, on the committee and with the Cambridge University American Football Society which was started this year and has already had a lot of people sign up to watch the NFL. Drop our Cambridge University Pythons American Football Club Facebook page a message and join the ‘New Players Forum: Cambridge University Pythons American Football’ group on Facebook to ask any questions you may have - it’s full of returners and new recruits who were once in the same position as you.
and we want your Varsity photos and videos!
M
any of the photographs that appear in this programme were taken by spectators at our games. If you send us any photos or videos you take at the game, not only might we publicise them in the next edition and online, but who knows, maybe some free merchandise might end up coming your way... publicity@pythons.org.uk
Societies C
American Society
ambridge University American Society, home of the Red, White & Light Blues! Join us at half-time in the bar for our Annual Pie Bake-Off contest and enjoy some AllAmerican pie to go with your All-American football! For holiday celebrations, mixers, and networking events, CUAS is the social hub and transatlantic link for the Red, White and LIGHT BLUES! All Americans and Americaenthusiasts are encouraged to join our extensive social calendar and alumni connections!
Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity - DKE
D
elta Kappa Epsilon is one of the oldest North American fraternities, with 52 active chapters in the United States, Canada, and now with colonies at universities in the UK. Its membership is made up of a fellowship “where the candidate most favored was he who combined in the most equal proportions the gentleman, the scholar, and the jolly good fellow.� and earlier this month came to Cambridge and met the American Society to gauge interest from students here about establishing a colony. If like us you have questions about what this would entail and what is associated, drop us a message via email on dke@pythons.org.uk to help inform the discussion.
Lent: Super Bowl Party Cambridge’s biggest NFL event FEBRUARY 1ST 2015
Watch the Superbowl Live from the Cambridge Union. Cambridge’s Largest Superbowl event with big screen. Food & Drink available throughout.
Visit the Pythons Facebook Page
Summer: Flag Football weekly sessions & Cuppers
T
his Easter term the Pythons will be hosting a Cuppers flag football tournament - will you take home an honour not even Super Bowl winners are bestowed with for your College? A great chance to get out in the sunshine, throw a ball around with your friends and make some big plays. 5 people on each side, choose your routes and try to pull them off before your opposition can touch you for the tackle. Really easy to pick up and open to everyone. We’ll run a few weekly sessions from the start of term to get you out of the library and into how the game works, finishing with the big tournament and the winners-take-all prize. Keep an eye out for team entry details on our Facebook page and make sure your college is represented. Got moves like these? http://bit.do/AmazingFlagFootballTD This is your chance to show them off. Summer just can’t come soon enough!
Cambridge
home of American football Cambridgeshire Cats Formed: 1984 Home Field: Coldham’s Common Conference: SFC1 (North) Cambridgeshirecats.com Facebook.com/CambridgeshireCats
F
ormed in the mid 80’s the Cambridgeshire Cats held several divisional titles and appeared in numerous playoff games before folding in 1998. The team reformed in 2002, going on to win the South East Division One title before eventually being knocked out of the National title competition by Tamworth Phoenix. Currently the club fields both a Senior and Junior team, with the latter catering for players between the ages of 16 and 18. The Senior squad competes in the Southern Football Conference 1 (North) alongside the Ouse Valley Eagles, Hertfordshire Cheetahs and Birmingham Bulls.
Anglia Ruskin Rhinos Formed: 2012 Home Field: Coldham’s Common Conference: BUAFL East Facebook.com/RuskinRhinos
T
he recently formed Anglia Ruskin University team shares both their home field and BUCS conference with the Pythons. The cross-town rivalry has culminated for the last two years in the Coldham’s Bowl. The stakes are high, with both bragging rights and conference position on the line. So far the Pythons have convincingly won both games and as such lead the series 2-0. The Rhinos started the 2014/15 season with a big 0-62 loss to the Oxford Lancers, time will tell if such a defeat will impact on their forthcoming fixtures.
Kick-off 1430 with Under 21s at 1130 You can buy tickets from your college Varsity vendor. Go to www.thevarsitymatch.com/vendors or call Charlotte Browning on 01223 354131 to find your college vendor
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