Former Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School (BVGS) pupil, Rohan Sandhu, has become a regular fixture in Midlands-based American football, having been selected as Quarterback for the University of Birmingham’s (UoB) five-times national champions, Premiership Team. 

The 19-year-old once played for Bishop Vesey’s rugby team during his school days, but it is in the American sport where he is now finding most success, since taking it up three years ago.

From starting out with the Birmingham Lions U19s, Rohan’s rapid rise to success now sees him preparing for his first home game as UoB’s Quarterback, which will take place in front of some 4,000 spectators at the university’s new state of the art Bournbrook 3G pitch.
The event, which takes place on Saturday 11 November, will be the team’s second game of the season, with UoB having finished last season as National quarterfinalists.

Rohan Sandhu, commented: “It’s a great honour to be selected as starting Quarterback for the team, and I’m very excited to be playing in our first home game, which will be the largest domestic American Football game in the UK.

“It’s been a crazy few years, since leaving Bishop Vesey’s in 2016, and picking up the sport with the Birmingham Lions U19s, to now playing Quarterback in front a 4,000-strong crowd, with many more watching via the live stream.

 “From my point of view, none of this would have been possible had it not been for the support of the Birmingham Lions programme and coaches, developing me into the player that I am today.

“As the popularity of American Football grows in the UK, the work programmes like the Birmingham Lions do is invaluable in helping raise awareness of the sport, and encouraging those who may enjoy watching the game on TV, to get involved.

“I’d encourage anyone who enjoys playing sport and has a passion for American Football to get in contact with the Birmingham Lions or any other similar programme, and get involved with this very exciting game.”

Wayne Hill, Director of American Football at Birmingham Lions, said: “We’re delighted to see Rohan progress through the sport, and take up such a key role within his new team at UoB.

“Our job is to get people involved with the sport, and use it to develop important leadership skills, while building new relationships, if for nothing else.

“That’s why it’s fantastic to see individuals like Rohan excel in the sport, especially having only been playing for three years – it’s stories like these that help motivate others to lace up their boots and give it a try.

“It’s an exciting time for American Football in the UK, with popularity and public interest continuing to grow, so if you know anyone who would like to get involved then don’t hesitate to contact our programme directly.”

For more information on how you can get involved, visit any of the links below.
https://www.facebook.com/events/325064134623865/
http://birminghamlions.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/birminghamlions/
https://twitter.com/BirminghamLions

Picture provided by ‘Bec Edwards Photography’.