The GB Bulldogs are the British 18-a-side representative team, competing in International matches and the currently tri-annual European Championships and International Cups. Players are selected from English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish players.
Formed in the early 1990’s to compete in the Atlantic Alliance with Denmark, Ireland and the USA, the Bulldogs have a long history of international competition, with matches each year in preparation for tournaments. They have attended all International Cups and European Championships since the tournaments’ inception (2002 and 2010 respectively) and continue to provide elite level opportunities to stand-out players.
Led by a head coach, captain, vice-captains and a player leadership group, the squad has been instrumental in developing younger players to go beyond the club football and challenge themselves at International level. A marked improvement in performance culminated in a fantastic performance at the 2013 AFL Europe Championships, where the squad were runners up to hosts Ireland, the current European and International champions.
International Cup Previous Rankings:
2005 - 6th Place
2008 - 9th Place
2011 - 9th Place
2014 - 9th place
Eligibility for the Bulldogs is determined by the AFL rules, with players required to have spent the ages of 10-16 outside Australia and have a significant connection to their country of representation. Representing your country is an incredible opportunity and accepting selection is a commitment as well as a high honor. The Bulldogs strive to make sure this ethos is appreciated.
The selection days for the GB Bulldogs are as follows, if you have any queries please contact gbbulldogscoach@gmail.com:
Sunday April 17th, 11:00 – 13:00 @ South London Giants
Saturday May 28th, 11:00 – 13:00 @ Huddersfield Rams
Sunday June 12th – TBC
Sunday July 31st , 11:00 – 13:00 @ West London Wildcats
Sunday August 7th, 11:00 – 13:00 @ Manchester Mosquitos (Northern Group)
Sunday August 7th, 11:00 – 13:00 @ London TBC (Southern Group)
TEAM SELECTION
ABOUT
UPCOMING EVENTS
15th – 21st August 2016 – European Championship – TBC, UK
In August, the Bulldogs will be the home nation playing against teams across the country to be crowned European Champions in this week long tournament. Selection for the team started in April and the new coaching team are excited to be taking a team to the tournament that will be stronger than ever, hoping to be victorious.
5th - 20th August 2017 - International Cup 17 - Melbourne
The Bulldogs competed in the International Cup hosted in Melbourne from the 9th-23rd August 2014 coming in 9th out of the 18 nations that participated. With 2017's compeition still 18 months away, the coaches will be using the selection days and perfomances at the European Championships to start thinking about the team that they will be taking to Australia.
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Will Worthington
Dean Thomas
I am WIll.
COACHES
Dean grew up in Perth, Western Australia, playing junior, junior representative (Subiaco in the WAFL), A Grade amateur and country footy at league level. Dean also coached at junior development squad level (u/16’s & U/18’s) before moving to the UK in 2009. Here he spent three years playing with the Manchester Mosquitos (one as playing coach) and one year as non-playing coach. Dean has led the ‘Mozzies’ to back to back premierships (2014, 2015).
Off the field, Dean is happiest on the golf course, traveling and attending sporting events. Day to day he works as a Sales Manager for a national beverage wholesaler, which is a role that has allows attendance at some great sporting events such as the British F1 Grand Prix and Rugby World Cup Final, as well as traveling to some interesting locations.
Dean has an 11 year old daughter and is a permanent British resident, although assures us he will always be a Wallabies supporter…
TEAM MANAGEMENT
The Bulldogs are a volunteer lead team ran by those who have a passion for the sport (and their country) and want to see the game grow. If you want to get involved then please get in contact on gbbulldogscoach@gmail.com.
Rhys Long
Overseas Team Manager
Jason joined Wimbledon Hawks Australian Football Club in 2015 and made his England debut at the Euro Cup in Croatia finishing as a runner up in his first international outing. Jason’s love of AFL started while spending time in Australia and has become a keen St Kilda fan in the process. Jason has been involved in many sports in the UK including Soccer, Cricket and American Football and has been involved in growing the game through league and club committees across all sports.
Jason Hill
UK Based Team Manager
My playing career peaked after being an integral part of the Malmsbury Junior Football Club’s 1997 & 1999 Premiership sides. After moving to Leeds in the United Kingdom, following the completion of my degree, I searched for local clubs, with Huddersfield being the closest. I started playing but mainly coached in the second half of the season, taking the club to the Grand Final. After the season I created my own club in Leeds: the Leeds Minotaurs. In only our second year, we went the entire season undefeated.
After returning to Australia, I wanted to continue my involvement with AFL England. Being based in Melbourne, I volunteered to help out in the upcoming International Cup alongside Head Coach Mark Pitura. Having 13 members of the squad already in Australia, with 10 of those in Melbourne, is providing a great chance to have strong preparation leading into the tournament. With the quality in the squad, I expect the GB Bulldogs to finish somewhere between 4th & 6th at IC14.
GB BULLDOGS
