The NFL Foundation UK has partnered with Sport England, in a deal that will see its reach expand beyond London and into communities across Greater Manchester and Birmingham.
The NFL Foundation UK and Sport England will provide joint grant funding to deliver NFL Flag programmes in co-created partnerships with local community charities in the cities.
The programme is currently London-centric, working with eight community groups across 13 boroughs, delivering youth football to engage over 2,500 young people in the capital.
The initiative centres around NFL Flag, the non-contact format of American football and one of the fastest growing sports globally.
The NFL Foundation UK will be working with Greater Manchester and Birmingham community groups for at least the next two years, helping to provide the NFL Flag Football programmes, training, and equipment.
The bespoke partnerships will also focus on helping young people their education, future employment, inclusive communities and improving their physical and mental wellbeing.
The NFL Foundation UK describe the sport as providing a ‘structured opportunity for young people (boys and girls) to play the game whilst discovering the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork and friendship both on and off the field.’
Henry Hodgson, General Manager NFL UK, said, “We are delighted to partner with Sport England and expand the NFL Foundation UK’s reach into communities in Greater Manchester and Birmingham as part of our commitment to helping to address inequality in society through the power of sport, education and opportunity.
“It has always been our ambition to expand the NFL Foundation UK beyond London and engage more young people, and we are looking forward to working with local community organizations to co-create programs that will support local needs. We know how powerful NFL Flag is in connecting with underrepresented groups to help young people get active, and we are excited about the potential to further impact the lives of youngsters in the UK.”
Phil Smith, Executive Director of Partnerships at Sport England, added,“Today’s announcement is an exciting one which is centred around a shared ambition to help more under-represented young people, in more cities, engage with the growing sport of NFL Flag.”
“In working with local community groups in Birmingham and Manchester themselves, and by providing a blend of opportunity, equipment and training, we believe this unique partnership can be transformational in helping more young people find a love for sport, while building social connections.”
The NFL Foundation UK launched in 2021 as part of the NFL’s international charitable endeavours and in partnership with the Mayor of London’s ‘Sport Unites’ fund that saw the duo commit a combined £1m to the deliver NFL Foundation UK’s work in the capital.
