The British American Football Association (BAFA) is delighted to announce the launch of a new organising body for all university football. The British Universities American Football League (BUAFL) will commence its inaugural season in October 2007.

It is fully intended that BUAFL will continue to build on the work and traditions of existing teams, but with a strong focus on the future development of university football. All existing university teams are members of the BUAFL by right. The BAFA looks forward to another hotly contested Championship Game in March 2008.

It is important to note that it is not BAFA’s intention to run student football. It is BAFA’s desire that student football be run in a competent and efficient manner that will secure its long-term future. BAFA is fully aware of the tremendous contribution that university football has made and will continue to make to the growth of our sport.

BAFA confirms that BUAFL will be the only vehicle for university sport within the Whole Sport Plan and the only body sanctioned by the NGB to apply for BUSA recognition.

BAFA is delighted to announce that leading the new organisation as interim Chief Executive will be the former NFL National Sports Policy Advisor, Andy Fuller. Andy has accepted the task of engaging with the student membership and forming a new management structure for the organisation. ‘It is a great honour to be asked by the British American Football Association to take on this important role’. said Fuller. ‘Student American football provides an excellent entry point into this great sport and as such deserves to have an organisational structure in place that will help the sport grow and ensure effective governance.’

Andy’s first task will be to put together a new management team to deliver the League. `I will be seeking people with the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to take university football forward. I invite anyone interested in helping to build the future to make themselves known. It is my intention, with the full support of BAFA, to ensure that students and people with previous experience of university football are central to the governance of the League,' he added. `We will now begin the process of consultation with all teams to assist them in their operations this year.’

A pre-season meeting is planned for early September and full details of the league rules, regulations and operations will be available at that time. Anyone interested in becoming involved with the management of BUAFL should submit by email a CV detailing relevant knowledge and experience to andy.fuller@buafl.net

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