SGS College | Be Outstanding

Covid Update

On Tuesday 29 March, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, set out the next steps for living with COVID-19 in England from Friday 1 April.

Updated guidance advises:

  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and no longer have a high temperature.
  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can return to college when they no longer have a high temperature, and are well enough to attend.
  • Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice is 3 days.

For education and childcare settings from Friday 1 April:

  • Regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education or childcare setting, including in SEND, alternative provision and children’s social care settings. Therefore, we will no longer be able to order test kits .

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              Player Achievements 
            
            
              Top-Level Coaching 
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Unparalleled
Player Success

Player Achievements:

  • The Bristol Academy PRIDE has seen unparalleled player success in its 13 seasons.
  • Two players on active NFL rosters (Alex Jenkins, New Orleans Saints then New York Giants and Santigie Sankoh, Cleveland Browns).
  • Titige Sankoh taken 3rd over all in the CFL International Players Draft.
  • Alex Jenkins made an active roster (St Louis) in the XFL.
  • 30 players have progressed into the NCAA and many more at Junior College and Prep and High Schools (at teams such as West Virginia, Boise State, William & Mary, UIW, North Texas, Illinois, Augustana, Austin, Northwestern Oklahoma, LA Verne, North Texas, St Xavier, Buena Vista, Concordia Saint Paul, Snow, Sierra and Kent Prep).
  • More than 30 professional contracts in Europe (including GFL1 and ELF teams Frankfurt Universe, Potsdam Royals, Schwabisch Hall Unicorns and Cologne Crocodiles) and nearly 100 players receiving international caps.

PRIDE recruits from all over Europe, including players from Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Grassroots Flag Football

Interested in trying something new? A fun, non-contact game of American Football for those born 2006-2010.

Explore Flag Football

U19 Community Football

Interested in trying something new? Try fully-kitted American Football, for those born 2002-2005.

Explore U19
Community Football

Adult Div. 2 Football (Apache)

Interested in trying something new? Try fully-kitted American Football. For those born 2001 and later.

Explore Adult Div. 2
Football

Prem. Football (Aztecs)

Are you an elite level athlete looking for a new challenge? Join the only Prem Team in the South West.

Explore Prem. Football
(Aztecs)

Top-Level Coaching

Up to 16 Hours per Week of Training from Top-level Coaches

Those in either the College or University Academy receive up to 16 hours per week of training through a combination of field, class and gym work, from full-time American Football Academy coaches Ben Herod, Anthony Fitzpatrick, Ashley Hopkinson, Max Denning, Damon Kirby and William Crowfoot. They are supported by a full-time sports therapist department. Their job is to make sure that you are helped back to full fitness quickly from any injuries you may incur. William Crowfoot is your Strength and Conditioning Coach to help you get bigger, faster, stronger in our large gym facility.

We\'re in BUCS!

The Bristol Academy PRIDE now has a degree team playing in BUCS!

SGS College is now an excellent place to earn your degree in Sport, Business, Media, Sports Journalism, Fashion and Sports Business.

All of this alongside the PRIDE\'s standard of 16 hours a week Football practice, video analysis and gym. We also make sure that all our Degree students get use of a brand new F7 Helmet from Schutt.

Trail Blazing Success

The original Bristol Academy PRIDE team started back in 2008 and has enjoyed wins over the French National Team, Great Britain National Team, Dutch National Team, French Pole Revolution, German GFL Champions the Cologne Crocodiles, as well as Premiership BUCS Teams such as Birmingham University. If you are looking to study your Btecs or ALevels alongside playing American Football at the highest level then we have a track record unlike anyone else in Europe.

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Academies

American Football

Whether you're a top-level athlete or you just want to give something a go, you can get involved with American Football here at SGS Sport. We have Elite level sports Academies and a National Premier Division Adult team, as well as grassroot flag and social/participation teams for all ages.

Unparalleled
Player Success

Player Achievements:

  • The Bristol Academy PRIDE has seen unparalleled player success in its 13 seasons.
  • Two players on active NFL rosters (Alex Jenkins, New Orleans Saints then New York Giants and Santigie Sankoh, Cleveland Browns).
  • Titige Sankoh taken 3rd over all in the CFL International Players Draft.
  • Alex Jenkins made an active roster (St Louis) in the XFL.
  • 30 players have progressed into the NCAA and many more at Junior College and Prep and High Schools (at teams such as West Virginia, Boise State, William & Mary, UIW, North Texas, Illinois, Augustana, Austin, Northwestern Oklahoma, LA Verne, North Texas, St Xavier, Buena Vista, Concordia Saint Paul, Snow, Sierra and Kent Prep).
  • More than 30 professional contracts in Europe (including GFL1 and ELF teams Frankfurt Universe, Potsdam Royals, Schwabisch Hall Unicorns and Cologne Crocodiles) and nearly 100 players receiving international caps.

PRIDE recruits from all over Europe, including players from Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Grassroots Flag Football

Interested in trying something new? A fun, non-contact game of American Football for those born 2006-2010.

Explore Flag Football

U19 Community Football

Interested in trying something new? Try fully-kitted American Football, for those born 2002-2005.

Explore U19
Community Football

Adult Div. 2 Football (Apache)

Interested in trying something new? Try fully-kitted American Football. For those born 2001 and later.

Explore Adult Div. 2
Football

Prem. Football (Aztecs)

Are you an elite level athlete looking for a new challenge? Join the only Prem Team in the South West.

Explore Prem. Football
(Aztecs)

Top-Level Coaching

Up to 16 Hours per Week of Training from Top-level Coaches

Those in either the College or University Academy receive up to 16 hours per week of training through a combination of field, class and gym work, from full-time American Football Academy coaches Ben Herod, Anthony Fitzpatrick, Ashley Hopkinson, Max Denning, Damon Kirby and William Crowfoot. They are supported by a full-time sports therapist department. Their job is to make sure that you are helped back to full fitness quickly from any injuries you may incur. William Crowfoot is your Strength and Conditioning Coach to help you get bigger, faster, stronger in our large gym facility.

We're in BUCS!

The Bristol Academy PRIDE now has a degree team playing in BUCS!

SGS College is now an excellent place to earn your degree in Sport, Business, Media, Sports Journalism, Fashion and Sports Business.

All of this alongside the PRIDE's standard of 16 hours a week Football practice, video analysis and gym. We also make sure that all our Degree students get use of a brand new F7 Helmet from Schutt.

Trail Blazing Success

The original Bristol Academy PRIDE team started back in 2008 and has enjoyed wins over the French National Team, Great Britain National Team, Dutch National Team, French Pole Revolution, German GFL Champions the Cologne Crocodiles, as well as Premiership BUCS Teams such as Birmingham University. If you are looking to study your Btecs or ALevels alongside playing American Football at the highest level then we have a track record unlike anyone else in Europe.

How to Apply

If you are looking to join our College Academy on a full time Level 1-3 course on either a BTEC or A-Level program then please apply online for the course you want below.

Full-Time Application Form Applying Online Full-Time Courses

Degree Program and UCAS

If it is our degree program you are interested in then please click below to see the full list of courses we offer. Then for help with applying through UCAS please email Bev Awre ([email protected]).

University Courses

Application Guidance

When sending in your application please make sure that you email our Head of American Football, Benjamin Herod ([email protected]), with your footballing CV.

This should include your full name, position, club, international caps, height, weight, link to highlights. We also accept applications from those new to the sport for those we will just need your full name, height and weight and a brief description of your background in other sports.

Please make sure to follow us on Instagram, @FiltonPRIDE, for all our latest updates.

We are always recruiting so if interested please get in touch today!

Meet Our Staff

Choisze To

Choisze To

Operation Lead
View Bio

Choisze To

Operation Lead

-Former Hong Kong international player
-International coach and team manager
-National Championship Gold medal winning coach
-Provides expert insight into Chinese training and elite performance
-Master Degree in Sports Management and Bachelor Degree in Business Administration

Connor Sidley-Adams

Connor Sidley-Adams

Learning Area Manager, Extra Curricular Programmes
View Bio

Connor Sidley-Adams

Learning Area Manager, Extra Curricular Programmes

Coming soon.

Ben Herod

Ben Herod

Head Coach - American Football
View Bio

Ben Herod

Head Coach - American Football

  • 20+ years coaching Junior Football
  • Former FBU European All Stars HC
  • Former GB Juniors and Team England Coach
  • 2005 BAFCA Junior Coach of the Year
  • Former Bristol Aztecs HC
  • Former Aztecs Junior Team HC
  • Former European Scout for Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Former GB Junior International Player
  • National Champion with Bristol Aztec Juniors
Ashley Hopkinson

Ashley Hopkinson

Assistant Coach - American Football
View Bio

Ashley Hopkinson

Assistant Coach - American Football

Ash is currently our Assistant Coach for American Football and works across the SGS Bristol Pride programme. Ash is currently studying for his Masters degree in Sport and Exercise Pscyhology and has previously studied and competed in American Football for Stirling University. Ash has represented Team GB internationally has a player before moving into coaching. Ash has been coaching American Football for the past five years and has been involved in the Team GB set up at U17 level.

Anthony Fitzpatrick

Anthony Fitzpatrick

Assistant Coach - American Football
View Bio

Anthony Fitzpatrick

Assistant Coach - American Football

Coach Fitzpatrick started playing American Football in 1993 with the Luton Huskers junior team, moving on to play for the Hertfordshire Hurricanes when he attended University there. At Herts he was part of the team that won multiple national championships and played in the first BUCS All Stars game.

He moved into coaching with Herts in 2001 coaching numerous positives culminating in being OC from 2005, reaching two national finals and being victorious in one. During this time he also coached University All Stars at Running backs and Defensive Line.

In 2005 he was approached to join the coaching staff at the London Blitz. Part of a small coaching staff he worked to build the program, initially as running backs coach. In 2009 he moved to OL coach where he remained on and off until 2016. During his time with the Blitz the team won numerous national championships and in 2011 they were undefeated British National and European Champions.

In addition to coaching at University and Adult club level Coach Fitzpatrick has coached for Great Britain at U19 as Special Teams Coordinator, and as OL Coach at Adult level from 2011 to 2018 reaching European finals in 2011 and winning Europe Group B in 2016.

In 2017 Coach Fitzpatrick moved from London to the Southwest and joined the Pride Coaching Staff. Initially as Offensive Line coach he has seen a number of Pride Offensive Line players move to semi professional contracts across Europe. In 2022 Coach Fitzpatrick has taken on the role of Offensive Coordinator as well as continuing to coach the Offensive Line winning the BCUS National Division One in an undefeated season in their first season in BUCS.

Coach Fitzpatrick has been coaching for more than 20 years, more than 13 of which has been as a specialist Offensive Line coach. Committed to continually improving Coach Fitzpatrick has attended international coaching clinics as well as having the opportunity to coach alongside past NFL players. His impressive record demonstrates that he is clearly one the of the leading positional coaches in the UK/Europe.

Max Denning

Max Denning

Coach - American Football
View Bio

Max Denning

Coach - American Football

Prior to coaching for the Pride, Max Denning coached high school football in the US at the highest level in the state of Oregon for four years. Most recently he coached linebackers and offensive lineman for Roosevelt High School in Portland, helping them win a league title in 2021. Denning has coached multiple all-conference and all-state players, many of whom went on to play in the NCAA.

Denning was also a coach for the Oregon Ravens in their inaugural season of the Women’s National Football Conference, the highest level of women’s tackle football in the US. Denning believes in the power of football to help athletes become the best version of themselves.

Dr Craig Barden

Dr Craig Barden

Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy
View Bio

Dr Craig Barden

Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy

Craig has worked in the SGS injury clinic since 2010 when he graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. Craig is responsible the sports injury clinic where, alongside 4 other therapists, he ensures sports students are receiving a good level of care for their injuries ensuring they can return to activities as quickly and safely as possible. He also oversees the strength and conditioning provision, where 3 qualified coaches support the various academies to aid physical development and team performance. Outside of the academy, Craig works with the Bristol’s only professional basketball team, the Bristol Flyers, whilst lecturing at the University of Gloucestershire. He has also completed a PhD in injury prevention in youth rugby at the University of Bath, publishing in various peer-reviewed journals.

Tom Riddell

Tom Riddell

Sports Rehabiliator
View Bio

Tom Riddell

Sports Rehabiliator

Tom has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and is a BASRaT registered therapist. He works in private clinical practices as well as working with Nailsea & Tickenham FC. He has now joined the sports academy team supporting the student athletes in their injury management. Tom will primarily use tailored exercise programs, but also some manual therapy techniques, to help facilitate better movement, reduce pain and, help people return to their activity stronger than they were before. Outside of work, Tom plays two instruments with a band as well as keeping fit with his main sport of swimming.

Will Crowfoot

Will Crowfoot

Strength and Conditioning Coach
View Bio

Will Crowfoot

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Will started working at the college in 2018 but he is also an ex-student attending the college from 2010-2012 where he studied a Level 3 BTEC in Sports performance and excellence and was a member of the American Football academy. After graduating from SGS, Will spent 6 months in Canada at a Prep school playing against some top high schools in America before coming back to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he graduated with a BCs (Hons) degree in Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage. Whilst completing his degree he also interned with the Cardiff Met performance sports teams during his third year and gained experience within multiple sports.

Pip Dickin

Pip Dickin

Sports Therapist
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Pip Dickin

Sports Therapist

Pip started in the sports injury clinic at SGS in 2022 after graduating from the university of Worcester with a degree in Sports Therapy, where she gained skills in sports massage, injury assessment and rehabilitation and electrotherapy modalities. Pip is also qualified in RFU accredited Pre-hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) first aid.

Outside of the college, Pip also works for National League 2 rugby team Dings Crusaders and for private clinic Top to Toe Physiotherapy in their clinics across Bristol and Bath. Pip also has experience working in the BBL and alongside university sports teams.

Daniel Newman

Daniel Newman

Strength and Conditioning Coach
View Bio

Daniel Newman

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Dan is an experienced strength and conditioning coach working with top level athletes and individuals at all fitness levels. Having been involved developing athlete’s physical qualities in an abundance of sports, Dan has previously worked within multiple Professional Sports Clubs, National Governing Bodies, and University and College sport teams. Holding MSc Strength and Conditioning, and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science qualifications, he is also a BASES Supervised Sport and Exercise Scientist. Dan’s strong passion and experience in sport and exercise aspires to support the student athlete to reach their true potential and help develop the strength and conditioning programme at the College.

Dominic Williams

Dominic Williams

Sports Rehabilitator
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Dominic Williams

Sports Rehabilitator

I graduated from UWE in 2022 with a degree in Sport Rehabilitation. Additional qualifications include the RFU-accredited Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) and myofascial cupping. Alongside SGS I currently work as the Lead Academy Sports Therapist for Chippenham Town FC, and as a Sports Therapist at Philgood Rehabilitation. Previous experience includes working with UWE Sport teams (Football, Rugby, and Lacrosse) and within the UWE Injury Clinic. As well as this I spent 6 months working for Southwest Pitch-Side Trauma Care, which involved first aid support for rugby teams around Bristol. Outside of the college, I play drums in a rock band and have competed in football and kickboxing.

Max Cooper

Max Cooper

Strength and Conditioning Coach
View Bio

Max Cooper

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Max started working at the college in 2022. He completed his BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Strength and conditioning and is currently undertaking his MSc (Hons) in Spots Strength and Conditioning, from the university of Gloucestershire. Max has had experience with a multitude of different teams from Bristol Bears woman’s to Bristol City u21 woman’s yet his most recent position was with Severn Stars netball. Here he was head of the academy’s strength and conditioning programme, while also working extensively with the first team. Alongside his role within SGS he also works with the university of Gloucestershire carrying out strength and conditioning sessions for the university teams.