The Mons Knights are an american football team based in Mons, Belgium. The team and organization was created in 2012 under the name "Sharks[3]" in Braine-le-Comte, Belgium. In 2015, and after an undefeated championship season in Division 3, the organization decided to relocate itself and move to Mons. This was a strategic and beneficial choice since Mons is one of the biggest cities in Belgium. With this move we had the opportunity to recruit more players and have more visibility. After the move the organization changed of name from "BLC Sharks" to "Knights Mons". The new name of the organization is a tribute to Saint-Georges, hero of the city of Mons and of the main characters of the folklore and history of the city. The spear, that you can find in the club logo, is also a main part of the culture since the Dragon was killed by Saint-Georges with the spear. Currently the Knights Mons play in the National League (Division 2) of the Belgium American Football League (BAFL). The team is growing as wished since the Knights Mons won the Division 3 Championship in the 2017-2018 season and finished at a deserved third place in Division 2 during the 2018-2019 season. This season the Knights will try to maintain their level and hope to finish the 2019-2020 season with a better standing than the previous one.
Early Years 2012-2015 : The initial years saw the Mons Knights focusing on recruitment and training, participating in friendly matches and local tournaments to gain experience.
2017-2020 : With the arrival of new American coaches, Nick Granado ,Justin Cox and Pat Lockhart the team embarked on a new phase of strategic game planning. This shift resulted in a remarkable turnaround, as the team went from a winless season in Division 3 to undefeated seasons and promotion to Division 2 and finishing in the top 3 of dicivion 2. This year also marked the team's first ventures into youth development, with the establishment of U19 and U16 teams through a collaboration with the Charleroi Coal Miners.
Coach James Wellington2020-2022 The post COVID rebuild: Like many sports across the world in American football was highly impacted by the COVID-19 [4]. The Mons Knights had to rebuild a complete new team from a depleted base of 11 players . This was done under the leadership of new Head Coach James Wellington. Coach wellington brought in former NCAA Div 1 players DA Aquino and Jason Neago to help develop and coach. this endeavor led to the Mons Knights first title in the U20 Categorize in 2023.
Coach D Aquino coaching the Knighst in 20232022-2024: As of 2022 Defensive coordinator DA Aquino took on the head coach position[5] with the clear mandate from the club president to build a successful program development program based off Coach Aquino's NCAA experience at the UCLA Bruins[6]
League Participation: By 2013, the Knights had joined the Belgian American Football League (BAFL), where they began competing more formally. They brought more strategic approach as of 2017
Achievements: Over the years, the team has achieved several milestones, including [mention any notable championships, awards, or achievements].
Community Involvement The Mons Knights are actively involved in the local community, organizing various outreach programs, youth training camps, and charity events. The team's community efforts aim to promote American football and encourage physical activity among the youth.
Notable Players
Player 1: [Brief description and achievements]
Player 2: [Brief description and achievements]
Player 3: [Brief description and achievements]
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Andy Brutyn has been the head coach of the Mons Knights since 2024, bringing extensive experience and a strategic approach to the team.
Assistant Coaches: The coaching staff includes [Names and roles], each contributing to different aspects of the team's performance.
Future Prospects The Mons Knights continue to strive for excellence, focusing on player development, strategic gameplay, and community engagement. With a solid foundation and a growing fan base, the future looks promising for the Knights.
