Razorback Football Hosts Sussex Saxons Coach

Photos courtesy or Razorback Athletics

Duncan Workman, left, head coach of the Sussex Saxons, and Razorback coach Bret Bielema talk strategy.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Duncan Workman, head coach of the Sussex Saxons British American Football Club, wanted to learn more about the game to help his team improve. So, he traveled nearly 5,000 miles from Sussex, England, to the University of Arkansas to learn from the best.

Workman has spent the past week working with and learning from Arkansas head football coach Bret Bielema, his coaching staff and Razorback football student-athletes. He has attended staff meetings, watched film and observed practice and conditioning sessions.

Workman said, though the game is played by the same rules in both countries, the differences are vast.

"The only things that are identical are that we wear helmets and shoulder pads," Workman said.

The Saxons team is entirely self-funded by the players and coaches. They share equipment and a training field with other university club teams and only practice twice a week. Furthermore, Workman has just a little over a month each year to teach his new recruits how to play the sport before the team's first game.

Though these may seem like significant setbacks to an American football fan, more athletes elect to play for Workman's football team than for the university's club soccer team.

His team has flourished in the two years he has been at the program's helm. The Saxons finished last season 5-2 in their league and had the tenth leading scoring offense of the country's 75 American-style football teams.

Coach Workman and quarterback Brandon Allen watch Razorback football practice from the sidelines.

"We have a really good coaching staff, and we have guys out there who are playing for the love of the game," Workman said.

The Saxons coach said the experiences he has had with the Razorbacks have been remarkable, particularly his interactions with the coaches.

"The coaches have been absolutely amazing," he said. "I cannot stress enough how nice everyone has been. You can certainly tell that the football program reflects coach Bielema."

Workman will return to Sussex with a rejuvenated energy for the program and with an optimistic outlook for the future of the sport in the United Kingdom.

"After what I've seen here, I don't think there's a reason why a British player couldn't make the grade over here if he got the right chance," he said.

Workman's visit was made possible through a partnership between the University of Sussex and the U of A. The agreement was signed in February 2013, and the universities have been exchanging students since fall 2013.