Who are we?
The Northwest Vipers are the Northwest’s only American Football Club bringing the sport to players across the region and beyond. Built on passion, community, and ambition, the club continues to grow year on year, creating opportunities for players of all levels to get involved.
We offer opportunities for people of all genders aged 15+ to take part in American football, with pathways including Senior Kitted Football, Youth Kitted Football, Mixed Flag Football, and Women’s Flag Football.
Whether you’re stepping onto the field for the first time or competing at a high level, the Vipers provide a home for American Football in the Northwest. Our goal… UNLEASH THE VENOM!
Club History
Founded in 2015, the Northwest Vipers (then known as the Donegal/Derry Vipers) began as a senior kitted American football team and have since grown into a recognised force across the northwest. Like any new club entering a developing sport, the early years brought challenges, but the Vipers quickly built momentum — securing their first win in their debut season before completing an incredible turnaround in 2016 to go undefeated and claim the IAFL 2 Championship.
As the club developed, so too did its ambition to grow the game locally. In 2020, the Vipers expanded beyond the senior team, founding both their Youth Kitted and Flag Football programmes. This marked a major step in creating a full pathway for players across the region and opened the sport up to a wider audience.
Despite setbacks such as the cancelled 2021 senior kitted season, the club continued to push forward, hosting and winning the Donaghy Group Invitational Cup.
In 2024, the club entered a new era with a rebrand from the Donegal/Derry Vipers to the Northwest Vipers. This change reflected the club’s continued growth and its ambition to represent the entire northwest region, rather than a single area. More than just a name change, the rebrand marked a shift in identity — strengthening the club’s presence across Donegal, Derry, and beyond. It signalled a renewed focus on development, expansion, and building a stronger pathway for players at all levels of the game. Under the banner of Unleash the Venom, the Northwest Vipers continue to push forward with a clear vision for the future — growing the sport, strengthening the club, and representing the northwest with pride.
The club continued its growth in 2025 with the launch of a Women’s Flag Football team, further strengthening its commitment to inclusivity and opportunity within the sport. Today, the Vipers offer multiple pathways including Senior Kitted, Youth Kitted, Mixed Flag, and Women’s Flag Football, providing opportunities for players aged 15+ of all genders.
With a permanent home at the Vale Centre in Greysteel and a strong foundation across all levels, the Northwest Vipers continue to build, compete, and grow.
2025/2026 Committee
- Chairperson- Dan Danowski
- Secretary- Anna McBeth
- Vice Chairperson- Peter Hamilton
- Treasurer- Caolan Young
- Public Relations Officer - Dylan Coyle
- Grants and Funding Officer- Darren Quinn
- Equipment Manager- Owen Brady
- Women’s Development Officer- Rachel McDaid
- Bylaws Officer- Tia Sadlon
- Community Outreach Officer- Lochlann Nash
- Youth Development Officer- Neil Murray
- Player Experience Officer- Joshua Ferris
- Committee Member- Jonbrad Duncan
- Committee Member- Cathal Curran