History
The american football club Belgrade Blue Dragons club was formed in July 2003. Their first game was played with no pads and helmets in November of the same year, and their first win came not long after that – in December. Blue Dragons participated in the EFAF Cup in 2009 and in the EFL in 2010. Won the Serbian Junior National League in 2009 and have been runner ups for the senior national champion title several times.
In 2012. Blue Dragons Belgrade lost to SBB Vukovi Belgrade in semifinals, and took 4th place on the domestic league chart.
In the 2012 season the team saw some progress both football-wise and in the management department. In 2011 the team almost ceased to exist but has recovered since and is getting better every year.
Dragons had 2 national team players and a national team WR Coach in 2012. Back in 2009, there were 8 players and an offensive coordinator on the national team. A Dragons coach is also the Juniors National Team HC.
2013.
Unlike the previous years, the Blue Dragons managed to keep most of their players on the team. They will participate in the domestic Superleague and will have their debut in CEFL.
“The Blue Dragons decided to participate in the newly formed competition called the CEFL Cup under CEFL, because we have recognized the potential the CEFL has as a league and an organization. Through the CEFL Cup, Dragons will try to reach the CEFL league and become eligible to become a full member” says Nikola Davidović, team secretary and OL.
Some of the notable domestic arrivals are: DL Ivan Beloica, WR Stefan Bukumira, DL Dejan Janečka, DB Dušan Nikolić, OL Marko Vasović, LB Miloš Josović and LB Luka Maksimović.
As for the expectations for the 2013 season, the Blue Dragons plan on trying to contend for the title even as the underdogs. The team has seen much improvement this year and with the best set of imports in the teams history, that goal is now closer than ever before.
The Team
Blue Dragons have always been focused on the senior team, but, this year – they have established a relationship with a newly formed school of flag football “Soko”, from where they will be able to draft young players for the team.
Dragons are organizing all kind of charity events and programs. Blood and clothes donations, visiting the home for abandoned children, children’s shelters and schools for disabled children.
The team board is consisted of 9 Board members with Teams President and Secretary General. Team president is also the president of one of the biggest Labor Unions in the country. After 2010. season, Dragons were in big financial and organizational problems. That’s when Željko Veselinović, team president, and Nikola Davidović, secretary general, stepped forward to lead the team.
“Better days for Dragons are coming, but never forget where we were! From this day, board, players and coaches must stick together and look forward, try to build a strong organization, competitive team and a fearing opponent.” says Željko Veselinović.
Imports
The team actively brings imports. The most notable ones were QB John Russel back in 2009 and DB Greg Miletić who was a part of the team in 2012.
The 2013 imports are Jeremy Mraović, Corey Williams and Alex Hiebert.
Jeremy is a Canadian QB of Serbian ancestry who wanted to come and enjoy his country of origin and also visit family. Jeremy says that he wants to win the first title for the Blue Dragons. Jeremy played for one of the Top 5 University teams in Canada, St. Francis Xavier, and for the semi-pro Raiders and Sun teams in CJFL League.
Corey is a former Washington Huskie (PAC 12) that spent some time at Seattle Seahawks training camp. He’s a passionate football player and in the Blue Dragons he recognized a chance to do what he loves the most while enjoying a new culture. Last few seasons played professionally for AFL team called Manchester Wolves.
Alex played for Humboldt State University and is looking for a chance to continue his football career. He liked what the Blue Dragons had to offer and he’s very excited about spending time in Belgrade and help the team win.
Uniqueness
The Blue Dragons are a family in the literal sense of the word. The atmosphere on the team is always great, the players hang out outside practice and that is something that’s very unique and special about the team. A lot of players from other teams that end up playing for the Blue Dragons say that they learned what a true team is. Friendship and positive vibrations is what the team is all about.