The 2002 Denver Bulldogs Board was expanded to include officers for Junior development, Marketing/sponsorship, and Social Club. Matt Dainauski was elected President, Paul Renouf VP, Chris Candelaria Secretary, and Ian McNeice Treasurer. Matt Dainauski stepped down as President in January. Paul Renouf was appointed President, and Ben Harling was appointed VP. Jim Baldwin was elected junior development officer, Tom Ellis and Destry Gillette Marketing, and Glen Rolfe Social Club.
| Team Captain: | Kyle Weir |
| Vice Captain: | Ben Harling |
The season began with a new board structure and the first order of business being the selection of a coach. In January, Former Bulldogs player Charles Richards was selected by the board to become the new coach of the team. Richards presented an enthusiastic and innovative approach to the training and development of the squad. The 2002 season was underway in mid-February as the Doggies hit the training track with renewed hunger and a collective determination of one goal: the national championship.
Under the Direction of coach Charles Richards, the Bulldogs opened the season in Dallas, Texas playing in the Magpies’ Invitational. New York, and KC rounded out the competition. Denver ran out easy winners going 3-0 with a dominant midfield, a smothering defense and a relentless attack. (Report in archives)
May once again means a trip to beautiful Kansas City to play in the Invitational hosted by the Power. The Bulldogs were again the class of the competition dominating each of their opponents and winning the tournament for the fourth year straight. (Report in archives)
The Champions Cup (Report in archives) was scheduled for late June in Boston. San Diego, and Cincinnati along with Denver were scheduled to play in what promised to be a classic weekend of footy. San Diego and Cincinnati decided not to attend, leaving only the Bulldogs and Demons to play for the Cup. Denver had reached an exceptional level of fitness and performance under coach Richards, and were ready to face the challenge of a home-ground fortified Boston club. The match never met those expectations. The Bulldogs thoroughly dominated Boston by 98 points as they controlled the game from the backline to the forwards. (report in archives) Denver had another trophy for its growing collection. The 2002 Champions Cup.
In July, Denver hosted its largest and most well attended tournament yet. The tournament, now known as the “Mile High Classic”, hosted the Phoenix Scorpions, Dallas Magpies, Kansas City Power, and the American Revolution, the USAFL’s national team, comprised of players from clubs nationwide. (Report in archives)
The Bulldogs won the tournament, winning all its games. The club also saw the development of a “B” side, with many new recruits, teamed with select Senior team members to help. The “B” team didn’t fare as well, but gained valuable experience as the club now had a second side to enrich its growing player pool.
The player list was nearing 40. The board voted to send two teams to the Nationals. The top 22 would play on the Division one squad, and the remaining would play on the squad to compete in the Division three finals. Another club first, Denver had organized two teams for the Nationals.
Trainings become a three times a week routine for the team. Coach Richards was raising the level of skill and teamwork with intense, physical training sessions coupled with weekly running nights resulted in a nasty, hard, hungry team with one collective goal: Another flag.
The Denver Bulldogs become two-time National Champions with the 2002 USAFL Premiership. (Report in archives) The Dogs went a perfect 4-0 over the weekend tournament, held in the now familiar territory of Kansas City; the tournament hosted three divisions of over 20 clubs. Denver won the Division one crown beating their rival San Diego Lions 8.1 (49) to 0.2 (2). The Defense of the Mighty Bulldogs smothered the Lions attack. A midfield led by best & fairest Dave Newett maintained possession and kept the ball in the forward line. The fitness level of the Bulldogs was impressive, leaving their opponent gasping for air. The ‘Doggies players dominated the ball to maintain possession as Denver left no doubt to their dominance. In their fourth year of existence, the Bulldogs had two championships. A perfect 15-0 season capped by total domination of the defending champions. Once again, Denver had raised the standard of football in the USAFL.
In the third division finals, Denver’s Reserve team played hard and tough, going 0-3 but gaining valuable experience for many recruits and players who will vie for first –team positions in 2003.
2002 saw the departure of two veteran Bulldogs, forwards Ian McNeice and Peter Treyvaud. Both players gave much to the club and were integral parts of the club’s history and memories. Treyvaud is the second all-time leading goalkicker in Dogs history. Dave Newett, the club’s best & fairest for 2002 moved back to Australia. He will also be greatly missed.
The US National squad selected four Bulldogs to represent the country in the inaugural International Cup to be held in Melbourne, Australia during August, 2002. A field of 11 nations attended: Ireland, Denmark, England, South Africa, Naaru, PNG, Samoa, New Zealand, and Japan . The USA finished a respectable fifth-place. Denver Players selected were: Forward Matt Daianuski, midfielder/defenders Tom and Charley Ellis, and centerman Chris Candelaria.
| Best & Fairest: | Dave Newett |
| Best Forward: | Charley Ellis |
| Best Defender: | Matt Richards |
