West Flanders Tribes

The West Flanders Tribes was a Belgian American football team based in the province of West-Flanders, with two home cities, Ostend and Izegem. The Tribes were members of the Flemish American Football League (FFL) conference in the Belgian Football League (BFL). Their team colours are maroon, white and black. In 2012, the team split up into the Ostend Pirates and the Izegem Tribes.

1990
In 1990 the Izegem Redskins were formed by Rudy Dewaegemaeker after his old team, the Moeskroen Redskins, was disbanded. After a couple of months of practice the Redskins played their first game against the Brussel Raiders. The Raiders, led by Mike La Salle and QB Jon VandeMergel, beat the Redskins 78-0. The game was stopped in the 3rd quarter. This poor start was a harbinger of years of losses. But the Redskins were a group of friends, crazy about the game of football, so they stuck in there. During the second season they scored their first touchdown, which was celebrated afterwards as if they were World Champions. They won their first game in their fourth season.

1994
In 1994 the other team in the province, the Ostend Tigers, ended play. Players from the Tigers transferred to Izegem to start playing with the Redskins. At the time there were 2 coaches: Frank Daemen and John Vandemergel. After Daemens' tragic death. Luc Verhoest, the quarterback, took over as Offensive coach and John Vandemergel was the Defensive Coach. Vandermergel became president.

In the mid '90s the Redskins started a junior flag team in Izegem, the Redskin Warriors, coached by Andy Vandenbulcke. A junior team was set up in Ostend also, under the name of the Ostend Seminoles. This was the start of the two practice fields for the Izegem Redskins. The team name was then changed to West-Vlaanderen Tribes as an overall organization, with 2 practice squads: Redskins and Seminoles. During games they played under the name Tribes.

1999 - first Bowl appearance
In 1999 the Redskins played the Antwerp Diamonds in Belgian Bowl XII but lost in their first Belgian Bowl appearance with a score of 41-6.

2000 season
2000 Playoffs

2001 season
2001 Playoffs

2002 season
2002 Playoffs

2005 season
In 2005 Frans "Harve" Heuvicq took over as head coach. The 2005 season was the last season that the Tribes were beaten on the road.

Off. Coordinator: Frans Heuvicq / Def. Coordinator : John Vandemergel / Off. Assistant : Frederik George / Def. Assistant : Benedict Verheyen.

Dominating the BFL (2006-2011)
The Tribes have won the last six consecutive Belgian Bowls, setting a European record. Head coach: Frans Heuvicq / Off. Coordinator : Frederik George / Def. Coordinator : Benedict Verheyen

2006 season
2006 was the last season the Tribes had a loss (at home, none on the road).

2006 Playoffs

2007 season
In 2007 many changes were made to the Operational Board. Due to continuous efforts in youth and improved coaching, the Tribes are now the most successful American Football sport team in the history of Belgium. Every top player is a product of the Tribes youth teams. The Leuven Lions were the last team to play the Tribes and not lose to them, this was a 6-6 tie in week 1 of the 2007 regular season.

Head coach: Frans Heuvicq / Off. Coordinator : Frederik George / Def. Coordinator : Benedict Verheyen

2007 Playoffs

2008 season
2008 Playoffs

2009 season
2009 Playoffs

EFAF 2009 Atlantic Cup
The tribes won the 2009 Atlantic Cup. The tournament took place at Centre Sportif, Rue des Chalets 1, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe. The game field is made of artificial turf (4th generation).

2010 season

 * The game on week 3 was rescheduled due to a frozen underground of the gamefield.

2010 Playoffs

Pre-season

 * Roots 2010 indoor American football tournament
 * Champion of the Roots 2010 Arena Football Tournament with 3 wins and 1 tie.

2011 season
2011 Regular Season Standings

2011 Playoffs

EFAF 2011 Atlantic Cup
The Tribes will be participating at the 3rd edition of the Atlantic Cup from 24 until 26 June.

2012 season
2012 Playoffs

Trivia
Two brothers

Two players have participated, during the past 20 seasons, as starters for the Tribes: the brothers Pieter and Willem Demuynck. Pieter started as a Defensive End and offensive lineman (iron man football in the early period.) The past 15 years he has been playing as a left guard. Willem started as a nose tackle and offensive lineman ( iron man), then remained nose tackle for 13 years and switched in 2008 to the offense as right guard. They have won 8 Belgian titles and several caps for the National team. Since June 28, 2009, the Atlantic Cup adds on to the record.

Performance since 2000
This is an overview of the performance of the Tribes against the teams in the BFL during the BFL regular and post seasons from 2000 until 2011 and the EFAF Atlantic Cup's from 2009 until 2011.

Achievements

 * 1999: Runner-up Champion of Belgium (as Izegem Redskins)
 * 2000: Champion of Belgium (as Izegem Redskins)
 * 2001: Champion of Belgium (perfect season 7-0-0) (as Izegem Redskins)
 * 2006: Champion of Belgium and Champion of Flanders
 * 2007: Champion of Belgium and Champion of Flanders (unbeaten season 9-0-1)
 * 2008: Champion of Belgium and Champion of Flanders (perfect season 10-0-0)
 * 2009: Champion of Belgium and Champion of Flanders (perfect season 10-0-0)
 * 2009: Atlantic Cup Champion
 * 2010: Champion of Belgium and Champion of Flanders (perfect season 10-0-0)
 * 2011: Champion of Belgium and Champion of Flanders (perfect season 10-0-0)
 * 2011: Atlantic Cup Runners-up