Bobcats

The Bournemouth Bobcats were the premier American Football team on the South Coast between 1986 and 1991. The Bobcats won the Budweiser Premier Bowl in 1987, and competed at the top level of the game in the UK from 1988 to 1991. At the end of 1991, the Bobcats folded and a new team, the Bournemouth Buccaneers arose in their place. The Bucs won the BNGL National Bowl in 1993.

In 2009 the Bobcats were reformed by Tim Iles and in 2010 they entered the newly founded British American Football Association Community League (BAFCL) as association team where they played 5 games (2-3). They concluded their association year with a 38 – 0 win over the Plymouth Spirit and 34-12 away win over Bristol Apache and successfully qualified to enter the league in 2011

2012 saw the Bobcats re-enter the British leagues after 20 years with a new Head Coach, Derek Burridge. It was an excellent inaugural season that ended up with and exceptional 4 and 6 record with wins against 3 out of the 5 clubs in the division.

2013 saw Mark Newell take over the role as Head Coach. However 2013 was a disappointing year for the team with them ending up with a 1 and 9 season. The only win being a hard fought last game of the season against rookie team Swindon Storm resulting in a 14 – 13 win.

2014 and 2015 seasons were successful in some ways and disappointing in others. Led by Head Coach Tim Iles, who took on a multitude of responsibilities , The Bobcats went 4-6 last season with wins home and away against Portsmouth and Hastings. The away win at Hastings was one of the most courageous performances of the Bobcats who travelled light in squad numbers, had a number of key players either missing or playing both ways and also had to wait for an hour after one of the Bobcats players received treatment for a serious leg injury.

The 2019 season saw the Bobcats have their most successful season since reforming. A 6-2 regular season record found the Bobcats in the play-offs. Having put up big scores in the quarter and semi finals they booked a place to the Division 2 Britbowl 33 South Championship. 

Unfortunately losing the Britbowl in a close defensive game, they had already secured promotion to Division 1. The 2020 season will see the Bobcats take on a new challenge of Division 1 football and back to a 10 game schedule!