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From BAFA.org.uk BAFA
Two meetings chaired by BAFA WSP Manager, Ken Walters, had specific and separate agendas. The first, involving NFL Director of Player and Game Development, Tony Allen, and NFL Football Development Officer, Gerry Anderson, was entitled ‘NFL Player and Game Development activity in Great Britain’. The second was attended by NFL UK Managing Director, Alistair Kirkwood and was entitled ‘NFL Media and Marketing activity in Great Britain’. Andy Fuller, NFL National Sports Policy Advisor and BAFA WSP Team Advisor was also in attendance. At both meetings, Ken gave an overview of the results and findings of recent BAFA stakeholder meetings and outlined some of the groundbreaking and ambitious programmes that BAFA are considering for inclusion in their WSP. Tony Allen commented, “It is clear that BAFA are making strides in their development. We look forward to formalising our relationship in the not too distant future”. With the upcoming Miami Dolphins and New York Giants regular season NFL game at Wembley in October of this year, Alistair Kirkwood stated “The NFL have been overwhelmed by the demand for tickets. We look forward to working with BAFA to establish a way of harnessing this energy into a growing grassroots participation in this country”. On the outcomes of the meetings, Ken Walters commented, “There are clearly a number of common areas that both BAFA and the NFL can benefit from working in partnership”. Ken added, “The NFL have a huge amount of material that will benefit our WSP programmes - both in Player and Game Development and Media and Marketing. We look forward to establishing a partnership that both supports the BAFA WSP and the future plans of the NFL in the British market”. On hearing the reports from the meeting, BAFA Chairman, Gary Marshall commented, “American Football in Great Britain has always benefited from a strong presence by the NFL. We would like to take the opportunity to thank Alistair, Tony and their teams for their valuable support over the years”. Gary added, “Our sport has been growing rapidly over recent years and we anticipate this is going to increase in the coming months and years. This is greatly to do with the massive increase in media activity the NFL is creating. We are delighted to hear that the NFL is fully supportive of our plans and look forward to establishing programmes that are mutually beneficial very soon”. To conclude, the BAFA would like to thank Alistair Kirkwood for his forthcoming attendance as ‘Guest of Honour’ at the BAFA Convention at the University of Leicester on Saturday, June 30. Alistair will be interviewed on various topics by OJ Borg in the presence of the BAFA membership - material from which will hopefully be recorded for future publication on the soon to be launched “Get into American Football” website. © Copyright 2007 by BAFA.org.uk |
