Chicago Bears returned to Manchester for the fourth consecutive year to host their Mini Monsters Clinics – a youth-focused American football initiative – in partnership for the first time with Manchester United Foundation. The clinics, which are designed to provide children aged 7-12 with their first experience of American Football, were hosted over two days at Eccles Sixth Form College with over 500 children from 34 local schools in attendance.
Former Chicago Bears star Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillmanled four 90-minute clinics alongside Manchester United Foundation volunteers and Chicago Bears coaches. Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and Manchester United legend Wes Brown were also in attendance to support the sessions and join the Bears in highlighting the importance of community sport in promoting youth development and healthy lifestyles.
Mini Monsters clinics provide free youth coaching for boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 12. The program stresses the importance of healthy eating, physical activity, and proper hydration through fun, non-contact American football drills. All children and young people can participate regardless of experience with American Football or physical capability.
2025 marks the fourth time the Mini Monsters Clinics have returned to the city following successful visits in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Earlier in the year the Bears strengthened their ties in the region by expanding their Manchester Girls Flag Football League – the first ever girls only league of its kind in the North West of England – to accommodate over 250 girls.
The Bears have chosen Manchester as one of their key locations for UK activities, as part of their broader commitment to promoting diversity and equity in sports and communities across the UK. As part of the trip, Tillman spent time with Wes Brown and Manchester United Foundation at Eccles College, before visiting Old Trafford to meet fans and staff from the club.
The 90-minute clinics were followed by afternoon coaching sessions available to local PE teachers and sports coaches. The sessions offered practical experience on how to coach American football drills and ensure the initiative’s lasting impact.
Tanya Dressen, SVP of Strategy and Global Affairs for the Chicago Bears, said: “As we return to Manchester, we’re proud to celebrate the meaningful relationships we’ve built across local communities — a commitment we’re now deepening through our new partnership with Manchester United Foundation. Together we are inspiring young people to play, watch and become members of the Bears family.
“These programs are about more than just football. With each event, we’re offering young people the chance to create lasting memories, form new friendships, and develop valuable skills. Whether through our Mini Monsters clinics, or in our ever-growing flag footballs leagues, we are committed to growing American football at a grassroots level, and by welcoming as many new UK based fans into the Bears family as possible, we look forward to reflecting our core values of community in all our initiatives.”
John Shiels, CEO of Manchester United Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with the Chicago Bears through these events, and are delighted they chose to bring their Mini Monsters workshops to Greater Manchester. We always strive to offer new, enriching and impactful opportunities to our young people, and it’s been brilliant to be able to offer something different in American Football. We want to show our participants the world and this international event brings the world to them.
It’s also fantastic to see how aligned the values of Chicago Bears and Manchester United Foundation are in terms of commitment to developing youth and impacting communities – hopefully something we can build upon in the future.”
The initiative strengthens Chicago Bears commitment to the UK, where they have marketing rights through the NFL’s Global Markets Program. By the end of this year’s Mini Monsters Clinics, the Bears will have helped introduce the sport to over 10,000 young people across the UK aged 7-21 since launching in 2022.
