Berkshire Renegades American Football Club Meet The Board

Meet The Board

General Manager

Kiwi

Kiwi has been with the Renegades since 2003 and is one of the longest serving players with the Club. We asked him 5 random questions to answer truthfully:

Q1: Who is your favourite NFL team?

A: There’s only one team – Seattle Seahawks. I’ve supported them since I was a kid back home in Zimbabwe where I was born. I have been fortunate to watch them play twice – once at Tampa and the other time at Wembley (I think!). Go Hawks!!!

Q2: How many NFL International Series have you been to?

A: I’ve been to see every single game held at both Wembley and Tottenham since it started

Q3: What has been your best moment with the Berkshire Renegades so far?

A: Oh, good question as there’s so many to choose from, but one of my favourites is leading the Youth Flag team to their first BAFA National Silver Plate tournament in 2022, where they were runners up. Only one member of the team had ever played American Football and the team worked together so well – I was so proud.

Q4: Where did you get the nickname Kiwi?

A: After playing Cornwall on the bus home, my best friend had concussion, and he was shouting “Kiwi” down the bus (we’ve never had a Kiwi on the team) so everyone ignored him, until – finally – he called my name and I responded. He told me he’d been calling me for a while to which I replied “No you haven’t!”. He said “yes, Kiwi”. I told him I’m not a Kiwi and he asked where I was from. I explained I was from Zimbabwe and that he already knew this! He said “OK, Kiwi – come here!”. The nickname stuck!

Q5: Tell us something others may not know about you?

A: My real name is Shaun (but only my mum calls me that!!!)

Club Secretary/Youth Teams Treasurer

Penny O’Connor

Penny has been with the Renegades since being elected in 2019. We asked her 5 random questions to answer truthfully too:

Q1: Who is your favourite NFL team?

A: Dallas Cowboys – but this is only because I knew nothing about American Football and the Dallas Cowboys stadium was always part of the opening credits to the TV show Dallas!! There’s no other reason really!

Q2: How many NFL International Series have you been to?

A: I’ve been to two – once when Dallas Cowboys played Jacksonville Jaguars (the Cowboys won!!!) and one when I took my nephew to watch Detroit Lions (he’s a Chelsea fan so the logo’s are very similar!)

Q3: What has been your best moment with the Berkshire Renegades so far?

A: During lockdown, I was able to research better facilities for the club as a whole. I found Woodford Park Leisure Centre, where they had the 3G pitch, the grass area and – once lockdown had eased – I visited them to negotiate terms and contracts for when lockdown was relaxed. Since 2020, the Club and Woodford Park maintain an excellent working relationship, and who will always try and help with any last minute changes as they can. Oh, remember the grass area – they even turned that into a 40 yard American Football pitch that all the teams train on during the summer!

Q4: Any other best moments?

A: Of course – our U14 Flag team taking part in their first ever BAFA National Silver Plate Competition last year and becoming runners up!!

Q5: Tell us something others may not know about you?

A: I’ve have Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis since 2012, but still able to attend tap dancing classes every Wednesday and Thursday mornings!

Director of Football

Stephen Slater

Steve comes with a wealth of knowledge, starting his playing career in the late 00’s with the Carlisle Border Reivers. Whilst at Carlisle, he undertood his level 1 coaching qualification. He then moved on to playing with Glasgow Tigers until he tore his ACL – although this didn’t stop him as, during his recovery, and along with two friends, they established the Dumfries and Galloway American Football Academy. While developing the Academy, they would attend local schools and deliver coaching sessions to the kids and arrange inter school game days. But, like before, it didn’t stop there either, as an Adult Contact team, Youth and Junior for both Flag and Contact football were added to his American Football portfolio. When he moved to the South of England, he played one season with Swindon Storm Adult Contact Team before transferring to the Berkshire Renegades. We asked him 5 random questions to answer truthfully too:

Q1: Who is your favourite NFL team?

A: New England Patriots – I’ve supported them since 1996!

Q2: How many NFL International Series have you been to?

A: Sadly, none yet but it’s definitely on my list to do, as well as visiting the States to go and see a game!

Q3: What has been your best moment with the Berkshire Renegades so far?

A: It has to be helping score the game winning touchdown last year against Hereford Stampede at home on a counter, opening up a gap for our RB Ash Lovell to score a 50-60 yard touchdown!!!

Q4: Any other best moments?

A: Becoming a team captain – what a huge privilege for me as well. Earning the respect of my coaches and fellow teammates in that way gave me a big sense of pride!!

Q5: Tell us something others may not know about you?

A: I am studying my business management degree through the Open University!!

Players Representative – Adult Teams