The Royal Navy American Footballers represent UKAF team against US Air Force

A combined UK Armed Forces American Football squad challenged the US Air Force, based at RAF Lakenheath, to three Flag Football matches.

Eight players and one coach joined the Royal Navy American Football Association President, Cdre Steve Prest and Chairman, Cdr Matthew Court, in representing the Royal Navy in their first competitive match. 

The team met their Armed Forces colleagues at Royal Air Force Wittering the day before the fixture to commence a mini-training camp, enabling the players to integrate with their Army and RAF players and to demonstrate to the Head Coach from the Army, their ability to start the first fixture, the following day.

A structured day of Offensive and Defensive training culminated in a full positioning scrimmage that ensured the UK Armed Forces Team were ready to compete against their American opposition. 

At the end of the day's training, the players had the honour of being presented with their UK Armed Forces game shirt, sponsored by the New York Jets American Football team, a great benefit for the players, who, as a Royal Navy team are only 18 months into development as a Squad. 

The following day the group arrived at RAF Lakenheath, where they were superbly hosted by their US Forces colleagues, both on and off the field. 

To commence the three-game fixture, all players and officials marched onto the field behind their national flags, and on completion of each national anthem, game one began.

All three games were highly competitive but also played with the highest respect for each team. 

The first game showed the UKAF team's progression in American Football as they quickly went into a 12-0 lead in the first half. 

In the second half, the USAF battled to get back into the game, and with seconds remaining, they scored a winning touchdown, winning Game One 20-18. 

Game two was also a physical but close game, with the USAF coming out triumphant. 

The tournament's final game saw the UKAF lay a marker down in their American Football progression with a 13-6 victory and the opportunity to enjoy a result that mirrors the development and future of American Football in the Armed Forces.
 
American Football is a sport that is continuing to grow across the Armed forces and the UKAF team look forward to competing against their US colleagues again next year. 

Representing the Royal Navy were: CPO Fletcher, PO Pritchard, LET Scott, PO Adamson, LAET Parsley, SLt Shelton-Davidson, AET Killner, LAET Smith and AB Truslove.
 
Before the next US fixture, the UK Armed Forces will hold the inaugural Inter Services American Football competition this autumn, with Army v Navy, in Oxford on the 22nd of September. Followed by the Navy v RAF, in Portsmouth on the 13th of October. 

In preparation for future challenges, the RNAFA continues to grow with weekly training in Portsmouth, Faslane and Devonport and an upcoming camp in Portsmouth on the 22nd and 23rd of June. 
 
Training is open to players of any standard or experience, so if you want to try a new sport, then email your interest to [email protected].