Jan 7, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) huddles up against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Professional National Football League (NFL) team, Jacksonville Jaguars, are working with EdStart, a Primary School physical education provision company, to launch the hugely successful grassroots American football programme, JagTag, in the schools of Greater Manchester.

The only NFL team in the UK with a permanent presence, the Jaguars first introduced JagTag to the UK in 2015, teaching students in London primary and secondary schools a simplified, non-contact version of American football. Since then, the programme has become extremely popular with over 3,000 children, 45% of whom are female, taking part across the capital. JagTag teaches the key NFL techniques of throwing, catching, evading and defending and is suited to children of all athletic abilities and experience.

Hussain Naqi, Senior Vice President of International Development at the Jacksonville Jaguars, said: “The Jaguars aim is to make American football accessible to fans of all ages across the UK. Manchester has been selected as the first city outside of London to deliver the JagTag programme and we are very excited to be working with EdStart Sports Coaching to bring American football to the North-West of England. We know that Manchester students will embrace the sport and enjoy playing JagTag as much as they have in London.”

The JagTag Schools Programme is part of the Jaguars aim to grow grassroots American football in the UK and help play a role in encouraging young people to lead active, healthy lives. The programme has received backing from the UK government with a grant from Sport England.

Chris Irwin, Managing Director of EdStart, is thrilled to be working with the Jaguars. He said: “To have the weight of an NFL franchise behind such a brilliant schools sport programme is fantastic for the young people of Manchester. We cannot wait to get to work with the Jags, and coach thousands of children in and around the Manchester area.”

“It’s amazing that Greater Manchester has been chosen to host the Jag Tag programme. The success that it has had in London is remarkable and we are excited that JagTag will now be available to schools in our area and give our children another opportunity to be active”, added Sara Tomkins, CEO GreaterSport, the County Sport Partnership (CSP) for Greater Manchester.

The JagTag Schools Programme will be offering two FREE Taster Days with special events at:

 

  • Salford City Roosters ARLFC, Eccles, on Thursday 14th June 2018 from 1pm – 4pm
  • Platt Lane Sports Complex, Manchester, on Friday 15th June 2018 from 2pm – 5pm

 

Which will include:

 

  • FREE Coaching from JagTag coaches followed by matches
  • FREE fun Jaguars inflatable game
  • FREE Jaguars giveaways
  • Open to years 5 and 6, maximum ten players per school

 


After the Taster Day, schools will have the opportunity for JagTag to be taught to their students by trained JagTag Coaches provided by EdStart. If they do decide to take on JagTag, the students will also have the chance to compete in local competitions and receive unbelievable rewards such as the chance to watch the Jaguars play live at Wembley Stadium in October 2018.

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