The 2026 BAFCA Coaching Convention came to a close on Sunday, concluding with the annual Coach of the Year Awards and Hall of Fame Induction.
More than 200 British American Football coaches attended the convention at the East Midlands Conference Centre, which hosted 45 classrooms and practical sessions over two days, guest speakers from across the UK and United States, BAFA’s Annual General Meeting, and the Coach of the Year Awards Evening.
The British American Football Hall of Fame inducted their Class of 2025, with the new inductees invited to speak and join the existing Hall on stage in Nottingham.
The 2026 Coach of the Year Awards recognised the achievements of British American Football coaches throughout 2025 and 2026. Find details of the winners below:
Futures Coach Award (Award for a novice or young coach – defined as less than 3 years coaching – across all formats)
• Rian Hudson (Bristol Aztecs)
• Finley Guyan (University of Nottingham Green)
• Christina Bolatito Ibironke (GBW & NFL Flag)
• Kieron Johnson (UWE Bullets)
• Jonny Weekes (Coventry Phoenix)
Winner: Rian Hudson (Bristol Aztecs)
“Rian’s path in this sport has been remarkably rapid. Within 2 years he has been able to takeover and call a Premiership Offense with the Aztecs on the way to a Britbowl. Rian’s energy is infectious and is a role model to younger coaches of how to immerse yourself in the game and then apply what was learned onto the field.”
Women’s Coach of the Year (Award for coaches in Women’s contact football)
• Ryan Davies (GB Women)
• Clark Gardener (Warriors & GB Women)
• Christina Bolatito Ibironke (GB Women)
• Adam McClure (Solent Thrashers)
• Cat Xhonneaux (GB Women)
Winner: Adam McClure (Solent Thrashers)
“Since stepping up from OC into the HC role at Solent in 2025 Adam has rebuilt Thrashers Women. Leading them all the way to the Britbowl national title last year and breaking the duopoly of Warriors and Lions on the Women’s championship. His staff have helped develop several key players on the GB Women’s scene, leading to seven Thrashers being a part of the most recent gameday squad against Germany. Leading a team to a national title as a first time HC is a big achievement on its own, but the culture, environment and atmosphere he has created on the South Coast has shone through for all to see.”
Youth Football Coach of the Year (Award for coaches in all Youth Football Age Groups)
• Jody Carr (South Coast Spitfires)
• Jim Dorman (East Kilbride Pirates U16s)
• Jason Henry (London Blitz U19)
• Adrian Klemens (London Blitz U19)
• Dave Spear (Somerset Wyverns)
• Sam Stoddart-Durning (Edinburgh Napier Knights U19)
Winner: Jason Henry (London Blitz U19)
“The London Blitz under 19 teams have been the team to beat since 2011 and have now won 7-in-row and their 10th National Championship in 15 years under Coach Henry. Coach Henry restarted the youth programme at London Blitz in 2007 with a philosophy of simplifying everything, and a focus on the coaches and players. He believes in enriching the lives of young adults and supporting the local community,teaching essential life skills and giving the community strong role models. Coach Henry’s legacy speaks for itself with a passion for teaching the game and developing young talent.”
Flag Coach of the Year (Award for coaches involved in Flag Football, all levels)
• Marcel Baker (Northants Ducks)
• Kellie Barrett (Coventry Cougars)
• Andrew Gibson (Glasgow Hornets)
• Michael McGougan (Lancashire Bombers)
• Jack Reed (GB Women’s)
Winner: Kellie Barrett (Coventry Cougars)
“As the lead coach at the Coventry Cougars, Kellie helped the team recapture their national championship crown, earning their 10th title in eleven seasons. She has continued to be at the forefront of developing talent that helps push the National Program to further heights, with several of the Cougars squad playing significant roles in the 2025 European Championship win.
Kellie has also helped redefine and reshape the National Program Youth/Junior teams, taking the reins last season, whilst also acting as Head Coach for the U21 Men’s program. Her leadership, dedication and enthusiasm shine through as they continued to develop young talent.”
BUCS Coach of the Year (Award for coaches in University American Football. All Divisions)
• Sam Bloomfield (Lancashire)
• James Kelvin (Brunel)
• Danny Ketch (Durham)
• Oli Monaghan (Durham)
• Steve Rains (Bournemouth)
Winner: Danny Ketch (Durham)
“It was always going to take a special effort to wrestle the BUCS National Championship from the UWE Bullets, and Danny Ketch and his Durham Saints put together a season for the ages as they became the first team in five seasons to knock off the defending champions.
Coach Ketch was able to bring together a team of US scholars and UK talent to foster a sense of belonging and unity that put together several dominant performances, which ultimately lead to a victory on BUCS Touchdown Tuesday. His ability to develop coaches, and work with players with a range of experiences, have all come together to make a season to remember.”
Adult Contact Coach of the Year (Award for coaches in Mixed Adult Contact League American Football.)
• Dorian Deiwiks (Yorkshire Rams)
• George Foster (Manchester Titans)
• Rian Hudson (Bristol Aztecs)
• Pete Jones (Bristol Aztecs)
• Heath Thomas (London Blitz)
Winner: Pete Jones (Bristol Aztecs)
“Pete Jones has pulled the Aztecs programme up, sometimes singlehandedly to be National Champions. He has also created a network across the South West to allow Coaches to develop, from Regional clinics every January to having coaches come and observe practice, it is all about making the game better. His relentless efforts have impacted so many players and coaches across the country, he deserves this award as much as he finally won a well deserved Britbowl victory in 2025.”
Lifetime Achievement Award (Defined as any coach who has made an ongoing valuable contribution to the sport and to recognise their service to the game and the growth of coaching American Football in the UK).
• Anthony Fitzpatrick (SGS)
• Wayne Hill (Birmingham)
• Martin Hilton (Loughborough)
• Paul Sherratt (Nottingham)
• Pat Snooks (Bath)
• Graham Thorpe (Southampton)
Winner: Anthony Fitzpatrick (SGS)
“Originally nominated earlier this year when Coach Fitzpatrick was still battling cancer, we had hoped he would be in attendance tonight.
Anthony initially became involved in the sport at Hertfordshire University in 1996 under Coach Jim Messenger. As a tall and gangly angry Irishman, the Offensive Line was his natural home where he played alongside Hall of Famer Matt Meyer winning 2 Uniball National championships.
A post university playing career with the Hertfordshire Cheetahs and the London Blitz was cut short by injury before he returned to the Blitz as a coach in 2007. Fitz would have two spells at the Blitz (with a brief interlude at the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders) from 2007-2011 and 2014-15. During his time with the Blitz his Offensive Line units would win national titles in 2007,9,10,11 and an EFAF cup in 2011.
Anthony was also involved with both GB Students and the GB National team including a third-place finish at the 2013 EFAF European Championship in Italy.
Coach Fitz would become one of the UK’s few Full-timecoaches, joining Ben Herod as OL Coach at SGS Pride in 2016 establishing Filton as one of Britballs best programmes. Throughout his 6 year battle with cancer he continued to coach Football as best he could, working online, when his health would allow, breaking game film and hosting coaching calls for the Edinburgh Napier Knights for the last 2 seasons.
Anthony considered himself fortunate to work doing something he loved at SGS and to have coached so many brilliant people over the years at club, university and GB.
He faced his cancer diagnosis and treatment like he faced everything – full on and front facing. With thanks to his widow Amanda, BAFCA organised a book drive at this year’s convention to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. He will be sorely missed.”
Special Announcement:
In order to recognise Coach Fitzpatrick’s commitment to the sport and to mark his coaching legacy, the awards panel have made the decision to rename our Coaches’ Coach of the Year Award, to The Fitzpatrick Coaches Coach of the Year
The Fitzpatrick Coaches Coach of the Year (Award for the best all round coaching job in 2024-25, as voted for by their peers across all formats). Selected by BAFCA members in attendance at the Convention:
• Warwick Grosvenor (Scunthorpe Alphas)
• Jason Henry (London Blitz u19)
• Martin Hilton (Loughborough)
• Pete Jones (Bristol Aztecs)
• James Kelvin (Brunel)
• Danny Ketch (Durham Saints)
• Ollie Monaghan (Durham Saints)
• Rob Smith (London Blitz)
Winner: Pete Jones (Bristol Aztecs)