The Jets and the Chicago Bears celebrated the success of the second year of Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag league in an action-packed Championship Event at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium in London.

The Jets and Bears program, in its second year in the capital, engaged 240 UK girls, aged 12-14, through NFL Flag, the non-contact version of American football that encourages team work on and off the field. Together, the girls plan and execute winning plays, building life-long skills in strategy, communication, and resilience, and can promote healthy mental wellbeing for the future.

The championship event marked the culmination of a six-week league, comprised of two conferences of twelve teams, with the Jets and Bears each running a conference. Throughout the duration of the league, the girls received multiple bespoke coaching sessions from qualified NFL Flag coaches, along with individual branded kits, from league presenting partner Nike.

At the festival event Northwood were crowned champions of the Bears’ conference defeating Beaconsfield 22-8. Meanwhile in the Jets’ conference inaugural winners Ealing Fields defended their title with a 28-6 win over St Mary Magdelene.

Former Bears’ cornerback Jerry Azumah and former Jets’ running back Tony Richardson were in attendance to hand over the trophies to the winning teams and offer words of encouragement throughout the day.

Off-field the girls, their family and friends, were able to experience a traditional American tailgate, enjoying a range of food, DJ, hair braiding and classic garden games such as cornhole and giant Jenga.

The two respective champions from the Girls Flag league will receive an invite as special guests to the 2024 NFL London Games where the Jets and Bears will both play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Jets play the Vikings on October 6 before the Bears take on the Jaguars the following weekend on October 13.