Bristol University American Footballers Flying the Flag

16 Feb 2010

On Saturday 13th February, eight members of the University of Bristol’s Barracuda American Football club spent the day learning the ropes of coaching their sport. Flag Football is a non-contact version of American Football which still embodies the teamwork, tactics and skill that are making this sport increasingly popular across the UK.

These eight squad members now join the twelve club members who qualified last year and will be spending the next couple of months introducing their sport to youngsters from across Bristol.

Flag Football will be one of the activities at the RELAYS Festival of School Sport and Culture in March and students will be leading coaching sessions in the build up to the Festival, and throughout the event.

Robbie Fox, RELAYS School Sports Coordinator at the University of Bristol said, “The support of the University American Football Club has been brilliant. Their sport is growing fast and because it embodies fair play and discipline it is really positive for boys of about 14-15 years old. RELAYS funding and activity has made it possible to promote American Football in Bristol throughout this year.”

Jon Wyse, Director of Education for the BAFA (British American Football Association) said, “It has been good to work with the Barracuda’s again this year. They will be doing some important work for our sport in the coming few weeks and long may this continue.”

American Football gets bigger and bigger throughout the UK. Hype about this year’s US super bowl was widespread and for the first time match commentary was covered by BBC Radio 1 and Radio 5.