Europe’s largest student football competition, The British Universities American Football League, whose season culminates this weekend with the Championship and Challenge Trophy Games has posted another set of record participation figures with regular season numbers increasing again by over 10% to over 3300 across 60 teams.

‘This is a great achievement and is testament to the hard work done by our teams on recruitment and retention’ says Caleb Jackson BAFA Director for Student Football Management.

Andy Fuller, BAFA Director for Student Football Development added ‘This growth is great news and provides a tremendous platform for the launch of our new initiatives.’

‘The BUAFL competition offer now includes pilot programmes for Flag football for both men and women and 5 on 5 contact football for women.’ Fuller added. ‘Over time these will become fabulous tournaments, engage a whole new audience for football, and provide the basis for our students to engage in wider development initiatives in the community and schools.’

In relation to the new competitions the League was delighted with the success of the inaugural Women’s Flag game hosted at the University of Warwick.

Andy Fuller said of the day, “The team at Warwick and Coventry universities who fought it out in this historic first have been at the forefront of the League’s development plans. Given the pedigree of the universities, the commitment of the girls and the quality of the coaching staff I have no doubt they will set the bar high as a benchmark for new programmes in Great Britain.”

Head of Women’s Football for BUAFL Dr Elesa Argent said it was a dream come true to see the women’s league taking shape. “Warwick and Coventry have staked a place in history, and they will, no doubt, provide inspiration to other talented athletes who want to get involved. We have a long term vision of supporting both women’s flag and tackle.”

Respected Coventry Head Coach and driver of the Flag game Andrew Gambrill commented that “The standard of play was at the highest level I’ve ever seen from any new group of players. These girls are fantastic athletes and great ambassadors for our sport.’

Key information from BUAFL 2010-11:
Regular season registrations: 3333
Number of coaches: 265
Teams in the National Championships: 60
Nationalities involved in the BUAFL: 46
Additional Universities looking at starting teams: 16
Universities considering Women’s tackle football: 8
Flag numbers to come in during the summer semester.