American Football: Filton College set for unique match (From Gazette Series)

Filton College Pride take on the Kent School from Connecticut

11:01am Thursday 22nd October 2009 in Thornbury Sport

WHEN gridiron fever grips sports fans in Great Britain an emerging American Football Academy in the West Country will host a visiting preparatory school team from the United States in Global Bowl Bristol - a unique exhibition game.

On the eve of the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Kent School from Connecticut will take on Filton College Pride this Saturday. ‘Global Bowl Bristol’ will be played at the Bristol Academy of Sport Filton WISE campus on New Road, Stoke Gifford in Bristol at 3pm.

“We are delighted to be staging a game of American Football on a weekend when the sport has such a strong focus in Britain,” said Filton College head coach Benjamin Herod. “Perhaps we will see some future stars of the NFL who, a few years from now, might be playing in the other game at Wembley Stadium.”

The two teams, aged 19 and under, have been brought together from either side of the Atlantic by Texas-based Global Football, who provide an opportunity for young amateur athletes from different countries to compete against one another, while experiencing and learning first hand about each other’s cultures.

Global Football President Patrick Steenberge said: “Our mission is to share our passion for the sport with intrigued onlookers and hardcore fans, of which there are many here in Britain. “We hope the challenge of a game against American opposition will aid the Filton College Pride in their development of the sport and will encourage local sports fans to come along to see what junior American football has to offer.”

General admission to the game is free with reserved seating available for £5 and a delayed webcast of the game will be available, starting at 9pm EDT October 24, on www.GlobalFootball.com.