As a club that focuses on children and young people, we love to see our Phoenix players continue their football journey beyond the Phoenix and to fulfill their potential and achieve great things. Wherever possible, we encourage our players to explore their options in three different areas.

Players will sometimes continue to play in this country at University, represent their country with the Great Britain national team, or go onto explore options with the NFL Academy. It remains an ambition of the Phoenix as a club that we might see some of our players develop with us in such a way that they receive opportunities to play while studying at college in the USA.

Representing Great Britain

We have been delighted to see a number of players represent the Phoenix at international level. At flag, under 17 and under 19 level, a number of our players have played for the Great Britain Lions.

• Lucas Apps (DL, boys under 17 kitted squad 2021 & under 19 kitted squad 2022)
• Matt Allen (OL, boys under 19 kitted squad 2021)
• Calvin Clark (DB, boys under 17 kitted squad 2021 & under 19 kitted squad 2022)
• Conor Davies (LB, boys under 19 kitted squad 2018)
• Charlie Horne (boys under 19 kitted squad 2019)
• Jake Horne (LB, boys under 19 kitted squad 2021)
• Adam Parsons (OL, boys under 17 kitted squad 2023)
• Sam Appleby (DB, boys under 17 kitted squad 2024)
• Casey Miles (girls under 17 flag football squad 2024)

At Cadet level, in 2023 we also had two children picked for the Great Britain Flag Development program. Congratulations to Zack and Daniel for all the hard work and this huge achievement!

University football

There is a thriving American Football scene in the UK universities, co-0rdinated by BUCS. In recent years, we’ve been pleased to see the following players play at university level and, in some cases, earn scholarships through on the university sports track for American Football.

• Lucas Apps, Leeds Beckett
• Cameron Buggs, Kingston University
• Calvin Clark, Bournemouth University (scholarship)
• Conor Davies, University of Bath
• Charlie Horne, Kingston University (scholarship)
• Jake Horne, South Gloucestershire & Stroud (SGS), Bristol Pride
• Jack Sullivan, University of Kent

NFL Academy

The NFL Academy was a major initiative launched in the UK in 2019. It aims to use American Football to  create life-changing opportunities for young people all around the world.  It offers student athletes aged 16-19 the opportunity to combine their education with a life skills programme and an intensive training in the sport, under the guidance of full-time professional coaches.

The Kent Phoenix have been pleased to send players to the Academy.

• Charlie Brooker (TE)
• Apollo Kagimu (DB)
• Charlie Plumb (OL)