The Chicago Bears and Britain’s first female coach in the NFL, Phoebe Schecter, returned to Manchester for the launch of the second year of their historic Chicago Bears NFL Girls Flag Football League on Friday.
The first all girls’ competition of its kind in Manchester, was designed to promote equity and access to sport for girls from all backgrounds in the Northwest of England. After the success of last year’s inaugural season, the second year will see the league more than double in size with 250 girls aged 12-14 from across the region taking part across ten weeks with the winners going head-to-head in a Championship Event on 6 June.
The girls were joined at the launch event at Bolton School by current Bears running back, Roschon Johson. Also in attendance was Phoebe Schecter, Sky Sports commentator and NFL Global Flag Football ambassador – hoping to inspire the next generation of flag football stars ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at LA28.
Flag Football is the non-contact format of American football that empowers young athletes, both boys and girls, around the world. The game is fun, exciting, and accessible for all, with women and girls driving some of the fastest growth in the sport.
The league was launched with an immersive flag football session and the first league fixtures at Bolton School where the girls received their official team kit from Nike who are a partner of the league.
The league is a continuation of the Bears’ expansion across the United Kingdom, where they have marketing rights through the NFL’s Global Markets Program.
Tanya Dressen, SVP of Strategy and Global Affairs for the Chicago Bears, said: “As we enter another year in Manchester, our focus remains on building meaningful connections and inspiring the next generation of athletes and fans.”
“These programs are about more than just football, they are about creating opportunities, fostering community and sharing the values that define us as an organization. Whether through our Mini Monsters clinics or in growing girls flag football, we are committed to making an impact at the grassroots level and strengthening our ties in Manchester and with our UK fans.”
As well as the Championship Event on 6 June, the Bears will return to Manchester this summer for the fourth consecutive year with their Mini Monsters their Mini Monsters Tour which provides free youth coaching in NFL skills and drills for boys and girls between the ages of 7-12.
The Bears are in the UK and on a mission to create positive experiences in Flag and American football that entice all young people to want to take part and join the Bears family. Since the programme launches in 2022, the Bears have welcomed over 10,000 young people from aged 7 through to 21 in 11 regions spanning the UK from Edinburgh down to Exeter
To find out more about the Bears NFL Girls Flag Football League in Manchester please visit, www.chicagobears.com
