More than 1,000 children to take part in NFLUK’s Play 60 ‘Summer Bowl’

A day-long festival of American football will be staged at the King’s House Sports Ground, in Riverside Drive, Chiswick, tomorrow (Wednesday, July 13) as the National Football League’s latest schools programme in the UK culminates in Summer Bowl 2016.

More than 1,000 children between the ages of eight and 11 will be attending to participate in a ‘flag’ (non-contact) football tournament or to learn about the sport in a series of other activities. A total of 47 schools will be represented at the event, with 32 taking part in the tournament, which begins at 10 a.m.

The NFL, which stages three regular-season games in London later this year – two at Wembley and a first-ever game at Twickenham – has taken its Play 60 programme into schools across six London boroughs over the past three months. As well as learning about the sport, pupils have been taught the importance of good character, behaviour and teamwork and discovered more about the cities who will be represented in this season’s NFL International Series matches.

The Mayor of London, SADIQ KHAN, said: “London is a city that loves sport, attracting the very best competitions to our world-class venues. I have been clear about my commitment to bringing an NFL franchise to London, which will further enhance the capital’s global status. I also want to encourage more young people to participate and compete in sport at every level. That is why it is fantastic to see hundreds of young Londoners getting the opportunity to play and learn from the NFL’s finest, highlighting the benefits of hosting top-class sporting competitions.”

The six NFL teams playing in this year’s NFL games in London have each been paired with a participating London borough: Ealing (Indianapolis Colts); Brent (Jacksonville Jaguars); Haringey (Washington Redskins); Lambeth (Cincinnati Bengals); Croydon (Los Angeles Rams); Newham (New York Giants).

Players from all six NFL teams will be helping to coach the teams at the King’s House tournament. The NFL players in attendance will be:

• Dwayne Allen (tight end, Indianapolis Colts)
• Denard Robinson (running back, Jacksonville Jaguars)
• Lance Kendricks (tight end, Los Angeles Rams)
• Victor Cruz (wide receiver, New York Giants)
• Domata Peko (defensive tackle, Cincinnati Bengals)
• Carlos Dunlap (defensive end, Cincinnati Bengals)
• DeAngelo Hall (safety, Washington Redskins)
• Chris Baker (defensive end, Washington Redskins)

This year’s NFL International Series games are:

• October 2: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley, 2.30 p.m.)
• October 23: New York Giants at Los Angeles (Twickenham, 2.30 p.m.)
• October 30: Washington Redskins at Cincinnati Bengals (Wembley, 1.30 p.m.)