NFL franchises the New York Jets and Chicago Bears have launched the second season of the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag football league at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Records Stadium.
Participation numbers for the league have more than doubled since last year’s inaugural season, rising from 120 to 260 girls. The division comprises of 21 schools across London boroughs Ealing and Lambeth, who compete in two conferences.
Both the Bears and Jets hold UK marketing rights through the NFL’s Global Markets programme and co-launched the league in 2023 as part of a joint strategy to grow grassroots flag football across the country.
Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and Jets linebacker Quincy Williams attended the event, as well as Great Britain Women’s Flag stars Ellie Thorpe, Kellie Barrett and Kate Bruinvels.
This year’s campaign kicks off on 15th April, running until the Championship Event on 20th May, where the champions will receive invitations to the NFL’s London games in the 2024 season as special guests.
A statement from the Chicago Bears announcing the second season’s launch said, ‘As flag football progresses, the Chicago Bears will remain committed to championing the sport’s growth.
‘We are thrilled to be back in the UK for a second year with the Jets. To see the enthusiasm and engagement for American Football is incredible, and we are excited for what the second year of the league will bring, especially ahead of the Bears playing a game in London in October.’
A New York Jets statement added: ‘NFL Flag provides a sustainable way to achieve this while teaching young girls life lessons that will have an impact far beyond the football field.
‘We have seen Jets fandom in the UK grow over the past few years, and we hope that these girls can drive a new wave of female fans in the years to come.’
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