British American Football Association

British American Football Association
Formation1985
HeadquartersKidderminster, Worcestershire, England
Chairman
Nichole McCulloch
Key people
Ian Deakin, Bruce Leatherman, Pete Ackerley, Richard Watson, Kenny Bello, Ian Deakin, Heather Smith.
Websitebritishamericanfootball.org

The British American Football Association (BAFA) is the national governing body for the sport of American football and non-contact Flag football in the United Kingdom since 1985. It is affiliated to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). In 2010, they formed the BAFA National Leagues as the country's primary competition for contact football. Their flagship event is the annual Britbowl which is competed by the top two sides of the BAFANL Premier Divisions.

In 2023 the organization began a partnership with the National Football League to promote flag football.[1] The partnership will "accelerate the delivery and participation of Flag Football at all levels of the game."[1]

Competitions

Adult

League Code Teams Participants Notes
BAFA National Leagues (BAFANL)Adult Contact Football70Men/Women 18+Winning teams play in the Britbowl[2]
National Women's Football League (NWFL)Women's Contact Football17Women 18+[3]
British Universities American Football League (BUAFL)Adult Contact Football81University Students 18+[4]
National Flag Football LeagueAdult Flag Football75Men/Women 16+[5]
Women's Flag Football LeagueWomen's Flag Football17Women/Female University Students 18+League features both Club and University sides[6]

Youth

League Code Teams Participants Notes
U19's LeagueYouth Contact Football38Youths 16–19Winning teams play in the Junior Britbowl[7]
U16's LeagueYouth Contact Football41Youths 13–16Winning teams play in the Junior Britbowl[7]
U17's Flag LeagueYouth Flag Football22 (2025)Youths 14–16[8]
U14's Flag LeagueYouth Flag Football25 (2025)Youths 11–13[8]
U11's Flag LeagueYouth Flag Football22 (2025)Youths 8–12[8]

2025 BAFA National Youth Flag finals

Under 17s
South Coast Spitfires (Red)1947Lancashire Bombers
Under 14s
Glasgow Hornets1827Northants Ducks (Black)
Under 11s
Fruit Bats (Red)337Northants Ducks (Black)

Final standings

2025 Standings
U17sU14sU11s
1. Lancashire Bombers1. Northants Ducks (Black)1. Fruit Bats (Red)
2. South Coast Spitfires (Red)2. Glasgow Hornets2. Northants Ducks (Black)
3. Hinchinbrooke Hunters3. Solent Red Storm3. Solent Red Storm
4. Fife Allstars4. Nuneaton Jaguars4. South Coast Spitfires
5. Kent Exiles5. Fruit Bats (Red)5. Burnley Tornadoes
6. Burnley Tornadoes6. South Coast Spitfires (Red)6. Sheffield Giants

Member bodies

Current

  • BAFCA (British American Football Coaches Association)
  • BAFRA (British American Football Referees Association)
  • BUAFL (British Universities American Football League)

Defunct

  • BAFL (British American Football League) - split from BAFA in 2010, and ceased operations in the same year.
  • BYAFA (British Youth American Football Association) - dissolved 2007 and merged into BAFL
  • BSAFA (British Students American Football Association) - Disaffiliated 2007 leading to the foundation, by BAFA, of the BUAFL.
  • SGA (Scottish Gridiron Association)

Boards of directors

Role Name
ChairmanNichole McCulloch
Senior Non-Executive DirectorIan Deakin
Chief Executive OfficerPete Ackerley
DirectorBruce Leatherman
DirectorRichard Watson
Non-Executive DirectorColin Allen
Non-Executive DirectorKenny Bello
Non-Executive DirectorHeather Smith

[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "NFL, British American Football Association announce strategic partnership". Nfl.com. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Adult Contact – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  3. ↑ "Women's Contact – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "University Football (BUCS) – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Adult Flag – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Women's Flag – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Youth Contact – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "Youth Flag Finals 2021 – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  9. ↑ "What is BAFA? – British American Football". Britishamericanfootball.org. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
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