We are very pleased to confirm that the British American Football Association have granted our Under 16 squad “Associate Status” in 2026. This is a key first step in returning to league play.

Our under 16s last competed in the BAFA National Leagues in 2023. However, with a ‘Covid bubble’ caused by the pandemic of 2020, that squad aged up into under 19 play without sufficient equivalent players coming up behind them to play under 16 kitted football. As a result, we had to withdraw from league play in 2024 and 2025 and rebuild.

For new teams and, in our case, returning squads after an absence, the Associate Status process involves a year in which detailed information about the club and the age group squad are regularly submitted to BAFA and our performance is assessed thoroughly to ascertain whether we are ready to return to league play. Only once a team has met all the requirements at a satisfactory level – both on and off the field – will admission be granted to the BAFA National Leagues. The process is designed to make sure that teams entering the BAFA National Leagues are well-run and sustainable.

Our Under 16 squad currently have eight players and need to grow the squad to at least ten to play Associate Status friendlies in 2026. For league play in 2027, we will need to have at least 14 players on our books. So if you are in school years 9, 10 or 11 and would like to try American Football, now is a great time to sign-up. Contact us and we’ll be glad to help you get started.