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Writer's pictureAndy Taylor

The Inaugural BAFA U19 11v11 Regional Series: A New Era for Youth American Football in the UK

BAFA U19 11v11 Regional Series

Photo: N50 Sports


This Saturday, 28th September, marks a significant milestone for British American football with the launch of the inaugural BAFA U19 Contact 11v11 Regional Series. For the first time, young players who have qualified for the U19 domestic league will have the opportunity to compete in the full 11v11 format, a step up from the current 9v9 game played in the top domestic divisions.


The series features five regional teams: SGS Pride U19, Scotland American Football U19, Team North U19, Midlands Mighty Oaks U19, and the Kings from the South U19. Each team brings unique talents, both playing and coaching, to this groundbreaking series, with fixtures set to unfold between September and November, offering an exciting new chapter for youth American football in the UK.


A New Opportunity for U19 Players

BAFA’s U19 11v11 Regional Series aims to fill a crucial gap in the development pathway for young players. As Sam Stoddart, BAFA’s U16 and U19 Competition Development Manager and one of the series’ founders, explained in an exclusive interview, “Unless you're fortunate enough to play at university or get selected for the national programme, most youth players don’t experience 11v11 football. This series allows them to do so without putting undue pressure on clubs to make the leap to 11v11 prematurely.”


The format also serves as a scouting ground for the national programme, providing a structured environment where coaches can assess and upskill young talent. "It's almost like a big scouting combine for the national team," Stoddart added, emphasising that this initiative will enhance the development of both players and coaches.


BAFA U19 11v11 Regional Series

Why Now?

The idea for the series grew from the success of a pilot programme in Scotland in 2021. That effort saw Team Scotland face off against Team North (a former version of the one we have now), NFL Academy, Great Britain U19, and SGS Pride gaining invaluable experience in the 11v11 format. “That slate of games proved that we could and should roll this format out across the country,” Stoddart said. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear that this is the right time to give players and coaches this opportunity.”


Regional Teams and Fixtures

The regional teams are an exciting mix of well-established programmes and newer franchises. SGS Pride, long known for their dominance, joins the series alongside established squads like Team Scotland, led by experienced Head Coach Tam McKendrick and based at Meggetland Sports Complex in Edinburgh. Other participants include Team North, coached by two-time BritBowl-winning Head Coach Jonathan Homer, who will play their home game at John Charles Stadium in Leeds. The Midlands Mighty Oaks under Grant Lawless, who has just helped lead the Nottingham Caesars to the Premiership, will be based at the University of Nottingham and the Kings from the South, led by Aaron Alexis who is a former National Championship-winning Head Coach at the U19 level will base themselves at Brunel University, London.


The fixtures will take place as follows:

BAFA U19 11v11 Regional Series

We'll have all the scores on our new U19 Regional Game Centre page.


Pathway to the National Programme

The series also acts as a collaborative platform for players and coaches alike. Many coaches involved in youth football have limited experience in the 11v11 format, but this regional initiative offers them a chance to grow using the experience of some of the coaches involved who have ample experience in 11v11 football. As Stoddart pointed out, this will not only help players but also offer pathways for coaches to get involved with the national team.


The series has also led to some important changes in the BAFA league structure. While SGS Pride operates independently, teams like Scotland, North, Midlands, and South are BAFA-affiliated, running as separate clubs but supported by BAFA's organisational framework. Players in this series will need to hold a U19 BAFA membership to participate, and the series will be open to both male and female players, reflecting U19 football’s mixed-gender structure.


The Concerns

With running costs and player costs becoming an ever-prominent point of discussion there will be concerns that this series will lead to adding more costs to players, and ultimately their parents, with franchises having to fund themselves. Sam Stoddard is hopeful that franchises would be sensible and fair with how they charge players but also stated “Ultimately we hope it will be more cost-effective than going to centralised trial [for GB], you will be getting guaranteed camps closer to home and maybe some game time”.


A Look to the Future

One of the most exciting aspects of the series is how it aligns with BAFA’s broader goals for youth football in the UK. Stoddart is particularly enthusiastic about the players graduating from the U16 programme this year. "By the time they’re 18, these players will have played approximately nine 11v11 games, which will be invaluable as they move up to higher levels, including the national team."


Long-term, the U19 11v11 Regional Series could reshape the future of British American football, offering players an earlier and more robust pathway into the national programme. Video footage from these regional games will help break down scouting barriers, and the national team will now have access to a pool of players who have real 11v11 experience. "It's about giving kids an opportunity to play football in a way they haven’t been able to yet," Stoddart said.


Get Involved

While most teams have closed their registrations you can still reach out to the regional teams through their Instagram pages:


The BAFA U19 11v11 Regional Series promises to be a transformative step in the development of British American football. With the national programme keenly watching, this series offers a golden opportunity for the next generation of players and coaches to make their mark.

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