Flag Football
American football is a sport that continues to grow in the UK.
Fans recently enjoyed Super Bowl 55, with legendary quarterback Tom Brady winning for the seventh time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As a spectator sport, nothing quite compares to the speed and hard-hitting nature of America’s National Football League (NFL).
Yet the sport has another equally exciting, youth and school’s version, that is becoming increasingly popular – Flag Football.
Flag Football is a non-contact, 5-a-side version of the game that is equal parts speed, spectacular plays and strategy. Better still, the game encourages boys and girls to play equally together.
The Houghton Bears
One recent success story in Flag Football is the Houghton Bears – winners of the NFL UK Flag Programme in 2019, and now part of the Under 14s British American football league.
Houghton School Headteacher Georgina Young approached John Johnson to develop Flag Football in the school and start a team. The uptake was amazing and not just from the usual kids obsessed with playing football (soccer), but from across the school as a whole. There was a great deal of fascination in Flag Football, and new friendships grew.
As of November 2020, the Houghton Bears were officially recognised by BAFA and entered into the Under 14 Flag Football league for 2021.
With a lot of help from fundraising activities, the Houghton Bears have a bright future and although Covid has paused training, the team is actively searching for a sponsor to share in the incredible story. The story of the little village from Cambridgeshire that went to the Tottenham Stadium to be crowned NFL UK Flag Programme champions, flew to Orlando to represent the UK and who experienced the NFL first-hand, emerging with friends from all over the world and role models like the great Akiem Hicks (Chicago Bears) who they will never forget.
Coach Johnson
“Most of the boys in Year 6 jumped on board, as well as some girls from Year 5. We started training at lunchtime and then after school once a week. They really enjoyed it!”
Get involved with Flag Football
There are multiple ways to get involved with Flag Football as part of your school or in your local community:
NFL schools programme: NFL UK Flag Football
JagTag programme: Jag Tag — Jaguars UK
School Games: contact your local School Games Organiser to express interest, and download resources from Your School Games - American Football
Club finder: British American Football Association – Our Clubs
