Southwark-based British American Football club The London Olympians joined forces with Everyone Active Sports and Leisure to celebrate the opening of brand-new facilities at Southwark Park last weekend ahead of the 2022 British American Football season.
Players and coaches from the club invited local residents in Southwark to try the sport for the very first time, put on the kit and learn about the sport through two fully-booked taster sessions. The aim was to open up access to an exciting game that is growing quickly at grassroots level in the UK.
“It is such a privilege to be a part of the opening of the all-new Southwark Sports and Athletic Centre,” London Olympians head coach Tariq Ayub said. “This is a great opportunity for The London Olympians to showcase American Football to the local community and get athletes of all ages excited about the sport.”
In addition to the senior team (19+ years), The London Olympians were joined by the Junior London Renegades American Football Club (10-18 years), who are also based in south London. They also offer young athletes from across the city the chance to engage with the sport at an early age and set on a pathway to the senior game and potentially the GB national squad, Europe and beyond.
The South London Renegades American Football Programme was started in 2008 by Steve Verrall. The programme started in Peckham with training taking place at Burgess Park. The goal of the programme is to give children and young people aged between sixteen and nineteen years the opportunity to learn and play American Football.
Management spokesperson Chris Owens added: “Following the recent sold-out NFL games played in London, there is a huge UK fanbase and a growing desire to try something new.
“The opening of these new facilities represents an exciting step forwards for the club and the sport as the team goes from strength to strength and continues to build its profile and attract new players in the area.”
For those new to the sport, the club will also be operating a new developmental programme aimed specifically at making the sport more accessible, while also building new skills and attributes that can be applied both on and off the field.
Pre-season training and conditioning is now starting for the 2022 season. The club added: “If you are interested in playing British American Football in south London as an adult or youth player, then you can contact The London Olympians or London Renegades on their website for more information.”
The London Olympians
Website: londonolympians.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LondonOlympians
Facebook: facebook.com/london.olympians
South London Renegades AFC
Website: southlondonrenegades.com
Everyone Active
Website: everyoneactive.com