Birmingham Lions

Birmingham Lions The University of Birmingham Lions. The 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013 & 2016 National Champions

🏈 WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM | TWO MORE LIONS JOIN THE PRIDE 🦁The Birmingham Lions are excited to welcome Ollie Mackenzie and...
14/08/2026

🏈 WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM | TWO MORE LIONS JOIN THE PRIDE 🦁

The Birmingham Lions are excited to welcome Ollie Mackenzie and Ben Callaghan to the programme ahead of the 2026/27 season.

🔴 Ollie Mackenzie | WR/TE
Ollie joins us from the Sheffield Giants and Team North, adding another talented and versatile offensive weapon to the Lions roster.

His experience playing both Wide Receiver and Tight End gives our offence valuable flexibility, and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue his development within our programme.

🔵 Ben Callaghan | East Kilbride Pirates | Team North
Ben arrives in Birmingham having developed with the East Kilbride Pirates as well as representing Team North.

Ben is excited to bring that experience south while continuing to develop as both a player and teammate:

“I’m excited to come down to the Lions, not only to bring what the Pirates taught me, but to learn, improve, make big hits and brothers for life on this team.”
— Ben Callaghan

Two more talented young players choosing Birmingham. Two more athletes ready to learn, compete and contribute to what we are building.

The journey continues. 🦁

BUILT IN BIRMINGHAM. FORGED FOR THE FUTURE.



Why join the Lions? 🦁🏈
♦️ 5x National Champions 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
♦️ Elite support – S&C, physio, nutrition, psychology & analysis via UB Sport High Performance
♦️ 18 qualified coaches plus performance, medical & analysis staff
♦️ Player pathways to GB/national & international opportunities
♦️ Top 10 UK 🇬🇧 | Top 23 Europe 🇪🇺 | Top 68 World 🌍
♦️ Russell Group University excellence 🎓
♦️ One of UoB’s most inclusive programmes – built on community, culture & standards
📍 University of Birmingham
|

🤝 Sponsors
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📣 American Football Media
|

Huge congratulations to everyone collecting their A Level results today! 🎉Today is all about celebrating your hard work,...
13/08/2026

Huge congratulations to everyone collecting their A Level results today! 🎉

Today is all about celebrating your hard work, commitment and everything you’ve achieved.

And judging by the rush… it looks like everyone’s ready to become Lions! 🦁🏈

If you’re accepting a place at the University of Birmingham this September, or joining through Clearing, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’ve played before, you’re an NFL fan, transitioning from another sport, or simply want to try something new, there is a place for you in our programme.

Please get in touch to let us know you’re coming, or if you need any support along the way.

DM us for more information and come join the Pride.

🏈 JOIN THE LIONS | UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM AMERICAN FOOTBALL 🦁Joining the University of Birmingham this September? Ther...
11/08/2026

🏈 JOIN THE LIONS | UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM AMERICAN FOOTBALL 🦁

Joining the University of Birmingham this September? There could be a place for you in the Lions.

Whether you’re:

🏈 An experienced player looking for your next challenge
📺 An NFL fan who has always wanted to try the sport
⚡ Transitioning from rugby, basketball, athletics or another sport
🆕 Or simply looking to try something completely new…

We want to hear from you.

You don’t need years of experience. You don’t need to know the playbook. You just need to be prepared to learn, compete, work and be part of something bigger.

The Lions are building a programme focused not only on performance, but on developing people, relationships and opportunities that extend well beyond the field. There is a place for everyone.

If Birmingham is your destination this September, make American Football part of your university experience.

📩 DM us now for more information and introduce yourself.

🦁 JOIN THE LIONS.

🎓🏈 WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM | POSTGRADUATE RECRUITSThe University of Birmingham Lions are delighted to welcome our first th...
09/08/2026

🎓🏈 WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM | POSTGRADUATE RECRUITS

The University of Birmingham Lions are delighted to welcome our first three postgraduate recruits ahead of the 2026/27 season:

🔴 George Hatfield — QB
🔴 Josh Knowles — RB/LB
🔴 Metwkal Hemed — DB

Each arrives in Birmingham with valuable playing experience, but this move is about much more than football.

By continuing their education at the University of Birmingham — a leading Russell Group university — George, Josh and Metwkal are investing in their future, combining postgraduate study with the opportunity to compete within an ambitious and developing American Football programme.

We believe university sport should help prepare athletes for life beyond the field. Their time in Birmingham will give them the opportunity to continue developing academically, professionally and personally while building relationships and experiences that can support their future careers.

On the field, we are excited about the experience, athleticism and competitive mindset all three will add to the Lions as we continue building towards our goals for 2026/27.

Just as importantly, we expect them to make an impact off the field. As postgraduate athletes, their experience and leadership will be invaluable in supporting our younger players, reinforcing our standards and helping shape the culture we are building across the programme.

Welcome to Birmingham, George, Josh and Metwkal. 🦁

A new chapter academically.
A new challenge athletically.
An opportunity to leave a lasting impact.

BUILT IN BIRMINGHAM. FORGED FOR THE FUTURE.


Why join the Lions? 🦁🏈
♦️ 5x National Champions 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
♦️ Elite support – S&C, physio, nutrition, psychology & analysis via UB Sport High Performance
♦️ 18 qualified coaches plus performance, medical & analysis staff
♦️ Player pathways to GB/national & international opportunities
♦️ Top 10 UK 🇬🇧 | Top 23 Europe 🇪🇺 | Top 68 World 🌍
♦️ Russell Group University excellence 🎓
♦️ One of UoB’s most inclusive programmes – built on community, culture & standards
📍 University of Birmingham
|

🤝 Sponsors
-literacy-academy
📣 American Football Media
|

05/08/2026

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM LIONS 2025/26 SEASON AWARD WINNERS 🦁

It gives us enormous pride to recognise the players, coaches and committee members who have made an outstanding contribution to the University of Birmingham Lions throughout the 2025/26 season.

These awards celebrate far more than performances on game day. They recognise commitment, resilience, improvement, leadership and the standards our players demonstrate across the entire programme.

🏆 Lineman of the Year: Ziad Tarek
🏆 Comeback Player of the Year: Bhavya Ghandi
🏆 Committee Member of the Year: Eoin El-Hawary
🏆 Coach of the Year: Irebomi Olukoya
🏆 Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ezekiel Kale
🏆 Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jamal Saaed
🏆 Most Improved Player: Sheun Shoyebi
🏆 Special Teams MVP: Jamie Mottashed
🏆 Offensive MVP: Nifemi Akinpitansoye
🏆 Defensive MVP: Owayne Mackenzie
🏆 Team MVP: Eddie Perry

Congratulations to every award winner on this thoroughly deserved recognition.

Each of you has made a significant impact on our programme and provided an example of what it means to represent the Lions. Your dedication has helped us continue rebuilding our culture, raising our standards and creating the foundations for an exciting future.

We are incredibly proud of you all.

Built in Birmingham. Forged for the Future.

Welcome to the Lions, Daniel Roberts 🔥Daniel joins the University of Birmingham Lions as Offensive Analyst, bringing coa...
27/07/2026

Welcome to the Lions, Daniel Roberts 🔥

Daniel joins the University of Birmingham Lions as Offensive Analyst, bringing coaching experience from the Birmingham Lions as Assistant Running Backs Coach and Coventry Phoenix Adults as Running Backs Coach. With two years of coaching experience and playing experience at defensive back with the Worcestershire Black Knights and running back with Coventry Phoenix, Daniel brings a valuable perspective to the offensive staff.

His philosophy is built around challenging and supporting players, helping them develop through accountability, discipline, and trust. Daniel joins the Lions to learn from others, share his own experiences, and keep improving within a high-standard coaching environment.

💬 “Character through consistency.”
⚡ Coaching style: Developmental
🏈 Favourite team: Minnesota Vikings
⭐ Favourite player: Adrian Peterson
🏟️ Favourite memory: Experiencing the buzz of xpLosION for the first time
🦁 Unit: Offence

Laurence Matthews – Pass Game CoordinatorWelcome back to the Lions, Laurence Matthews 🔥Laurence returns to the Universit...
26/07/2026

Laurence Matthews – Pass Game Coordinator
Welcome back to the Lions, Laurence Matthews 🔥

Laurence returns to the University of Birmingham Lions with a wealth of coaching experience across the Birmingham Lions University and Junior programmes, Sandwell Steelers, Tamworth Phoenix, South All Stars, and GB Women. Coaching since 2014, he brings outstanding knowledge, experience, and passion to the Lions offence.

Excited by the opportunity to work with talented players alongside some of the best coaches in Birmingham, Laurence is ready to help shape the next group of Lions coming through the programme. His message to players is simple: throw yourself into football, love the game, learn from what it teaches you, and compete in everything you do.

💬 “The lessons football teaches you are invaluable.”
⚡ Coaching style: Pragmatic
🏈 Favourite team: Denver Broncos
🏆 Favourite memory: 2016 BUCS National Championship win over Stirling

Mitchell Hill – DB CoachWelcome back to the Lions, Mitchell Hill 🔥With 13 years of playing experience in the USA and two...
24/07/2026

Mitchell Hill – DB Coach

Welcome back to the Lions, Mitchell Hill 🔥

With 13 years of playing experience in the USA and two years with UoB Lions, Mitchell brings a player-centred and process-driven approach to coaching. His focus is on technique, effort, fun, and helping athletes grow both on and off the field.

💬 “You will never become what you are not now becoming.”
⚡ Coaching style: Intentional
🏈 Favourite team: Alabama Crimson Tide


Why join the Lions? 🦁🏈
♦️ 5x National Champions 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
♦️ Elite support – S&C, physio, nutrition, psychology & analysis via UB Sport High Performance
♦️ 18 qualified coaches plus performance, medical & analysis staff
♦️ Player pathways to GB/national & international opportunities
♦️ Top 10 UK 🇬🇧 | Top 23 Europe 🇪🇺 | Top 68 World 🌍
♦️ Russell Group University excellence 🎓
♦️ One of UoB’s most inclusive programmes – built on community, culture & standards
📍 University of Birmingham
|

🤝 Sponsors
-literacy-academy
📣 American Football Media
|

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