The flag football event was held in the city on Thursday, bringing a taste of the NFL to pupils at schools across the region
The Minnesota Vikings host the Newcastle Flag Football League event for 150 local school kids
The Minnesota Vikings host the Newcastle Flag Football League event for 150 local school kids(Image: Minnestoa Vikings UK)
The Minnesota Vikings have brought American football back to Newcastle, with 150 kids competing in a special tournament. The flag football championship event was held on Thursday, as part of the Newcastle Flag Football League, bringing a taste of the NFL to pupils at schools across the region.
Held at Leisure United on Ponteland Road, the event saw the students take each other on across under 13 and under 15 age groups, which the Vikings say showcases its "ongoing commitment to growing American football participation in the North East."
With the expansion to under 15 teams, more young people are getting the chance to take part, including pupils from Ovingham Middle School, Newminster School, Thorp Academy, Gosforth East Middle School, Jesmond Park Academy, Marden Bridge Middle School, Corbridge Middle School.
It was Corbridge that defended the title that they won last year, with a dramatic win over Gosforth East in the final, with the other students performing chants made famous at Vikings games. The children also got to meet Vikings legend Jake Reed, with the wide receiving sharing his experiences of playing for the team in the 1990s.
Local school pupils take part in the Newcastle Flag Football League, hosted by the Minnesota Vikings
Local school pupils take part in the Newcastle Flag Football League, hosted by the Minnesota Vikings(Image: Minnestoa Vikings UK)
Marking the third consecutive year of the Vikings being in the North East, Jake Reed said: "It’s great to see so many young people getting the chance to play flag football, develop their skills and enjoy being part of a team.
"Events like this are a fantastic way to introduce children to the sport, and it’s brilliant to see the league growing and welcoming even more players this year. Hopefully, today has given some of these young people a real passion for flag football and the Minnesota Vikings."
Joe Rush, Minnesota Vikings Director of Youth Football, also said: "Building a pathway for young people to get involved in flag football is a key part of our work, and it’s great to be back in Newcastle for a third year of activity.
"With the league now in its second year and expanding to include U15 teams, we’re proud to be giving more young people across the North East the opportunity to play and develop their skills."
Local school pupils take part in the Newcastle Flag Football League, hosted by the Minnesota Vikings
Local school pupils take part in the Newcastle Flag Football League, hosted by the Minnesota Vikings(Image: Minnestoa Vikings UK)
Keisha Wyatt, Minnesota Vikings Director of International Marketing, added: "We know the Vikings have passionate fans across the UK, and it’s great to be back in Newcastle to continue building our relationship with the local community.
"We hope that by bringing the sport to the North East, we can welcome even more people into the Vikings family and create new fans along the way."
The Vikings hold marketing rights in the UK through the NFL’s Global Markets Program, allowing the franchise to develop deeper connections with fans across the country, and giving them the chance to engage with the team. For more information on the Vikings and their UK connection, visit the website here.
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