From bafa.org.uk
Record Participation in BUAFL
By BAFA
Apr 7, 2023 - 10:09:56 PM
The British Universities American Football League is delighted to
announce that as the 2009/10 season draws to a close the sport has seen
record levels of participation across British universities and anticipates even
further growth to come when the Emerging University teams seeking to join the
League for the 2010/11 season complete their registrations.
British American Football Association Director for Student Football
Development Andy Fuller warmly welcomed the news:
I am absolutely delighted with the news that the League continues to
break records for participation with a c13% growth for the regular
season.
However, it is important to recognise that this success is not
achieved lightly. Throughout the year a considerable amount of hard work is put
into a team's development and the promotion of the game on campus. The
League would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the BUAFL's teams for
this season - from players and coaches through to university staff.
Fuller added
On top of the record team entries we had for the National
Championships this season we have a host of Emerging University teams playing
their associate games over the next couple of months as they seek to secure
entry into next year's Championships and even more teams in the early stages of
development ready to compete from 2011 onwards.
The League has been delighted that some of these teams have been afforded
considerable support in their development through the Sport England Awards for
All programme. The League is also aware of its responsibility to ensure that
these new teams are sustainable and provide a positive experience for
students and the work which our management team is doing to support new teams
through our Emerging Universities workshops will hopefully pay dividends in the
near future.
Beyond this, the investment being made into the recruitment, retention
and development of new officials and coaches and the enhanced infrastructure to
support community football through Sport England's Impact and Improvement fund
will further serve to reinforce this growth in our sector.
Fuller concluded by highlighting the work being done to create some of the
biggest sporting events on campus across the country
Whilst undoubtedly we
are pleased with our year on year growth, it is important to recognise too, that
our league is also defined by the excellent work being done by teams to create
some of the best game day experiences in student sport. Bath University's
The
Sting, Derby University's
DAB Bowl and the Varsity Games have become
tremendous showcases for not only football but for student sport, building on
Birmingham University's annual
xpLosION event which this season not only
attracted the usual thousands of spectators but also dignitaries from across
European football as wider interest in the League continues to grow.
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