Join Us!

No Experience Necessary!

The Stingers invite anyone and everyone to come and try out for the team. The University of Surrey based American Football Club are looking to build and add to their squad throughout the season, so it's never too late. We are looking for players in all positions and invite potential players to come along and have a go at the ultimate team sport. Previous experience isn’t necessary, but commitment, discipline and enthusiasm are very important! Come along, meet the Coaching Staff and try the game. Please note, to play you must be a student of Higher Education studying at HND or Degree Level either full or part time.

Training Times:

Sunday (grass): 11:00 - 15:00

Thursday (astro turf): 19:00 - 20:30

We train and play our games at the UniSport Varsity Centre, opposite the Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford GU2 7XX. The centre has full training facilities, including showers and meeting rooms.There is also a bar which serves hot and cold food and full selection of beverages.

For non-Surrey students a minibus service is provided. The bus leaves the Kingston University campus (Penrhyn Road) at 10am every Sunday, returning after training.

Directions

From North of Guildford (London & Above):

Leave the M25 at Jn10 signed ‘GUILDFORD A3’. Remain on the A3 until you reach the exit sign for ‘HOSPITAL, ONSLOW VILLAGE, RESEARCH PARK, UNIVERSITY AND CATHEDRAL’. Exit the A3 on this slip road, and at the roundabout take the third exit, signed ‘HOSPITAL & RESEARCH PARK’. Go under the bridge. AT the next roundabout go straight over, still following signs for ‘HOSPITAL & RESEARCH PARK’. At the next roundabout take the first exit signed ‘UNIVERSITY OF SURREY VARSITY CENTRE’.

From the South:

Remain on the A3 until you reach the sign for ‘CATHEDRAL & UNIVERSITY’. Exit A3 on this slip road. At the roundabout take the second exit signed ‘HOSPITAL & RESEARCH PARK’. At the next roundabout take the first exit signed ‘UNIVERSITY OF SURREY VARSITY CENTRE’. 

UniSport Varsity Centre Parking – Coaches/minibuses/cars can park at the Varsity for free. 

FAQ's

Where do you play? When do you play?:

The team is based in the University of Surrey Varsity Sports Facility, Guildford, Surrey. This is about 15 minutes walk from the main university campus and 25mins walk from Guildford Railway Station. The 2007 season kicks off in early November with training starting as soon as term does. We are constantly recruiting throughout the season, so it's never too late to try-out.

Who do the Stingers play against?

The Stingers compete in the Southern Conference, Southern Division of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL). Our divisional rivals are the Royal Holloway Vikings, Southampton Stags, Portsmouth Destroyers, Brighton Tsunami and the Reading Knights.

FIXTURE LIST:
Kick-off: 1pm

But I have never played before, or I have never watched American Football!

NONE of the current team knew how to play either!!!
If you’ve never played or even seen a game before, IT DOES NOT MATTER! We will teach you everything you need to know to play football, from how to stand, how to catch, how to throw and how to hit! All you need is the will to learn and the desire to win and be part of a team.

What do you wear? What do I need to bring?

As most people have never played the sport before all that you are going to need to bring with you is typical clothing for rugby or football.

The Club will provide all the necessary safety equipment, e.g. Helmet, Shoulderpads etc. You will definitely need your own gum shield and depending on which training session you should bring appropriate footwear, i.e. studs for grass and astro-turf footwear for the Astro. There are changing facilities including showers at the Varsity. As the pre-season progresses we will regularly wear helmets and shoulder pads. Fully Kitted practice won’t take place immediately as we need to get you up to speed on the fundamentals of the game before fully suiting up.

All game kit is provided by the club so you won’t be expected to purchase anything unless you really wish to get ahead. You’ll find a lot of the senior players own their own kit. Once we start fully kitting up EVERY PLAYER MUST BRING A COLOURED (non-transparent) FITTED MOUTH GUARD/GUM SHIELD. You will need this at every training session! Our kit supply is not unlimited so to ensure you get suitable gear you must bring the essential requirements stated above as only players who are ready to go will be given priority. Not having equipment doesn't mean you won't be able to practice, it just means you may not be able to participate in all drills.

Is it just rugby with pads?

Far from it, the game once derived from it, but it is nothing like Rugby as we know it now. Everything from the rules to what happens on the field is different.

Doesn't it hurt when you hit each other?

Yes it can, but if played properly injury becomes a rarity. You will be taught how to hit properly and how to take a hit, so that you minimize the possibility of being hurt.
Your safety is our first priority. Eventually you'll learn that hitting someone can be the best part of the game!

But I'm not very big?

It doesn't matter how big, small, round or square shaped you are, there is always a place on an American Football team for someone of any build. If you don't believe us come to a training session and see the variety of people that play for us. We range from 5ft, 8 stone players to 6ft , 20stone players. Everyone is welcome. We will help make you a football player regardless of size!

Will I make the team?

If you’re good enough you will play. All we want from you is the patience to learn, the will to win and the ability to improve as a player and as a person. Our best players have been those who accepted their time on the sideline but took their chance when it arrived. American football is a team sport which requires strength in depth, a championship squad usually requires around 30-40 committed players.

Aren't you all American?

NO, we are not all American, and we very rarely have Americans play for us. We are all from different backgrounds and from different countries. We’ve had Korean Quarterbacks, Italian Wide-Receivers and Sudanese Lineman to name but a few nationalities.

Err...I'm female?

Your gender doesn't matter. If you want to play you are welcome to play and train with us. In recent years we’ve had several girls play an active part in the team.

How long does a game last? What’s it like?

Games last 60 minutes playing time. However, there are times in the game which cause the game clock to stop. Therefore games can last anywhere from 2 to 3 hours.
The game is broken down into four 15 minutes quarters. At the end of each quarter, you change ends. The object of the game is to score more than your opposition.

How many players are there on a team?

There are 22 players on the field at any one time. 11 Defence, 11 Offence. However a squad is usually much larger than that as there are rolling substitutions to both offence, defence and special teams. Last season we had a squad of around 35 players.

How many officials referee a game?

There are at least 3 and up to 7 officials on the field! They are the ones wearing black and white stripes. There job is to see that a fair game is played and that everyone adheres to the rules.

I don't want to play, but I want to be part of the team?

That's fine, we always need help with game day management, stat keeping, water provision, first aid, chain crew and assisting referees. You can even photograph the games, write match reports for the local press. Basically if you have an idea, Let us know! We are happy to help and would love you to help us.