American Football is a fun, fast, inclusive sport. There are two main versions: full-contact and flag (tag). The Yorkshire Academy of American Football coaches both versions in various settings.
American Football has been played in the UK since 1910, when a group of American Servicemen stationed here played against each other at Crystal Palace; the USS Idaho beating their counterparts from the USS Vermont 19 – 0. The first British teams started playing in 1983, following the televising of the Super Bowl on World of Sport and the first team in Leeds followed shortly with the forming of the Leeds Cougars in 1984.
THE SPORT IN YORKSHIRE
There are many organisations in the Yorkshire region offering competitive American Football at differing levels; Flag football at Leeds Samurai, a Senior team at the Yorkshire Rams, student teams at Leeds Beckett University and Leeds University and a women's community team based at Leeds Beckett University. Outside of Leeds, there are numerous University, Youth and Senior teams across the four Ridings.
With this demand for American Football in Yorkshire, it was felt that an Academy should be created to facilitate participation, provide coaching and support in schools, colleges & independent community teams and also provide elite level opportunities and support for individuals that have been identified as exceptional.
It has also been recognised that, with extensive research with the aid of Leeds Beckett University’s Athletic Union, their Junior Sport's programme and staff, that the sport has much more potential for growth.
In the autumn of 2013, the Leeds Academy of American Football was created to perform this function. As well as schools coaching, the long term goal of the Leeds Academy is to facilitate and administer Community leagues in the city for primary (years 3-6), Secondary (Years 7-11) and College/FE (Years 12+) and to recruit and develop coaches to assist in the growth of the sport. In 2018, due to the growth of the sport and to take in the larger reach of the Academy, we rebranded to being the Yorkshire Academy of American Football
With the financial and administrative aid of Leeds Beckett University, Carnegie Sports Coaching, IFAF (the sport’s International Governing Body), BAFA (the UK’s Governing Body) and the NFL in the UK, the Yorkshire Academy has managed to successfully work in a number of the region's schools and has plans to expand across the County, facilitating growth to fit this demand for the sport of American Football.
How can the Academy help you? Contact us to see how we can inspire your budding young athletes and make a real difference.
OUR CORE WORK
SCHOOLS: The Yorkshire Academy of American Football can assist schools and colleges to introduce a new, exciting sport to young people. American Football is a great way to challenge students through a sport the vast majority will never have played. The Academy has coached in dozens of primary and secondary schools across Yorkshire and the North of England with thousands of students having a taste of American Football for the first time.
There are numerous ways in which the Academy can introduce American Football, you can find out more here!
PARENTS/YOUNG PLAYERS: We have American Football sessions on Saturday mornings for young people ages 5-19 in Leeds and surrounding areas. These sessions are split into age groups (5-13 non contact Flag, 13-16 full contact, 17+ full contact) and are held a Leeds Beckett University in Headingley, Leeds. If you or your child is interested in giving American Football a go, you can find out how to get them involved here.
COACHES/PE TEACHERS: The Academy offers the opportunity to learn how to lead and coach American Football in a school or club environment through two courses: Flag Leaders Award and Level One Coaching Certificate. To find out more about courses and how to get involved in American Football click here!
WHO WE WORK WITH
We work with a number of UK and International partners to deliver fun American Football sessions
We are proud to work with many partners across our region, including:
The Jacksonville Jaguars: where we have supplied Academy coaches to help deliver their "SE7ENS CUP" events in the North of England
Leeds Beckett University: with whom we hold coaching courses, run their American Football Junior Sports Academy and put on many other events to support their World renowned Carnegie Coaching office and their Carnegie Sports Faculty
The San Francisco 49ers: Through their partners at Leeds United and the club's Sports Foundation our coaches have assisted them in delivering American Football coaching to Leeds schoolchildren at the famous Elland Road stadium
The NFL: Our coaching staff have worked with the NFL's UK office to deliver American Football sessions to hundreds of children in our region and in other areas on an ongoing basis.
