NFL, British American Football Association announce strategic partnership

The National Football League and British American Football Association (BAFA) have announced a strategic partnership that will see the NFL and the National Governing Body for American Football in Great Britain accelerate the delivery and participation of Flag Football at all levels of the game.

The partnership will see an increase of Flag Football programmes being delivered within primary and secondary schools, community teams and Universities and The NFL Foundation UK. With an endeavour to create more pathways for women and girls to grow within the sport, the programme will also hope to upskill and recruit more coaches to the games. 

Managing Director of NFL UK, Henry Hodgson said – “Growing the game of Flag Football across the world is a major strategic priority for the NFL, and our partnership with the British American Football Association will help us continue to accelerate the development of the game in the UK in the years ahead. 

The partnership will be an exciting and ground breaking development for the growth of the sport in the UK. It will aim to teach young people the important skills of teamwork, sportsmanship and creating friendships both on and off the field. 

Peter Ackerley, BAFTA Chief Executive Officer added – “The NFL and BAFA share a mutual ambition to develop and grow the game of Flag Football, providing more opportunities for young people to play the sport.” “BAFA’s deep knowledge of the sport and our breadth of network will no doubt complement the work the NFL has already done to engage new audiences and help to create a culture of lifelong participation whilst establishing the best structures to deliver sustainable growth in all formats of the game.”

NFL Flag Football is currently played in 470 schools by 28,000 people in 26 regions across the United Kingdom.