GRASSROOTS
Above: Neil Reynolds – the UK’s fore- most expert on the NFL. Right: London Blitz National League champions
university-based programmes. While there has been competition across uni- versities since the mid 1980s, recent years have seen considerable growth and a maturing product. “In 2007, we had 42 teams competing
in the national student championships,” says Andy Fuller, BAFA director for stu- dent football development. “For the coming academic year we are working towards 67 teams looking to start the season with more seeking to undertake a development year in readiness for the 2012-13 campaign.” During the course of these four years,
university American football has seen the number of participants grow by close to 50 per cent and there are plans under- way to increase the reach of the sport. “The 2011-12 season saw the League con- clude pilot events for Flag Football, the non-contact version of the sport, with a view to establishing national tourna- ments for both men and women next season. The League will also be launch- ing a pilot of six on six contact football specifically for women,” Fuller explains. He puts this successful growth within
the country’s universities down to a series of factors. “The key driver for the sport’s growth across Higher Education is hard work and dedication from the students, the coaches and the Student Unions. To complement this as a governing body we have worked hard to support their endeavours, providing enhanced advice
With squads of 40-plus athletes to fit in changing
rooms and full-sized fields being 360ft long, we have to make compromises to get games in many locations
and guidance and delivering a credible product worthy of their efforts. “Clearly it’s hard to ignore the NFL
frame of reference,” says Fuller. “The increased presence of the NFL in the UK has undoubtedly underpinned increased interest and recruitment. Indeed, the NFL has supported student football by providing the League with capital to in- vest in a new website to build the brand of competition across universities and to support more effective engagement with the students.” Beyond this again it is Sport England’s
impact which can be felt. In recent years, almost £40,000 of funding has been se- cured by universities through the Small Grants programme to support fledgling programmes in this sector.
The future
“Our platform for development is now more robust than at any time in our history,” Marshall says. “However, we
30 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital
recognise that there is still a great deal which needs to be done to further devel- op the sport and to form the backbone of our emerging strategy. “We have to continue to review our
competition programmes and outreach offer so that it is more supportive of en- gagement, particularly to teachers of Key Stage 2 and 3 aged children from whom we are receiving increased requests for guidance to support schools-based programmes. We have to author a com- prehensive facilities guidance package, which informs the development of new facilities. With squads of 40-plus athletes to fit in changing rooms and full-sized fields being 360-feet-long we have to make a number of compromises in order to get games played in many locations. “Crucially, we have to continue
to invest in the development of our workforce. As a largely voluntary organi- sation, a strong reward and development programme is vital.” ●
Issue 3 2011 © cybertrek 2011
©
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