American Football will receive a boost in funding and new opportunities that come with the Category 2 status (Picture: AAFA)
American Football has been given a boost across the services after the UKAF Sports' Board granted Category 2 status to the Army, Navy and RAF teams.
This new recognition will inject the three service teams with extra funding, and also path the way for potential opportunities to play in international fixtures going forward.
The new status has only been granted for a probational period, requiring all three service teams to prove that they are worthy of the new recognition as the sport continues to expand across the UK Armed Forces.
A spokesperson for Army American Football said: "The achievement of tri-service American Football gaining Category 2 status from the UKAF Sports Board is the culmination of six years of work across the three services' American Football Associations.
"It means the world to all of us involved in the sport, especially though to the small group of coaches in each service who came together six years ago and established the initial foundations for the sport.
"We are all elated and to some degree also relieved that the hard work and commitment has enabled the achievement of Category 2 status."
Royal Navy American Football chairman, Commander Matthew Court, added: "As a fully integrated tri-service sport, we are building a strong, inclusive platform that promotes physical and mental fitness, teamwork, and leadership qualities that are essential to operational effectiveness.
"With the rise of Flag Football, which forms part of our developmental pathway, and its upcoming debut in the Olympics, this achievement comes at a pivotal time.
"Category 2 status unlocks vital public funding to support our teams with equipment, travel, coaching development and more, ensuring we can continue to grow the sport and provide world-class opportunities for our personnel at every level."
Chairman of RAF American Football, Squadron Leader Cameron Stewart, said: "This is fantastic news for the RAF Mustangs and the wider UK Armed Forces American Football community.
"We started during the height of the pandemic in 2020, coordinating through Teams meetings, building the foundation of what we have now. The hard work and dedication of the players, coaches and Committee members has been well rewarded with this Category 2 status.
"As RAF American Football, we have been extremely frugal in our expenses. That frugality will continue, but we hope with Category 2 status, we will have access to more funds to be able to expand the organisation further.
This sport requires specific PPE in order to take part. That can sometimes be a barrier to entry, and it is our intent that we should be as assessable as possible for anyone wanting to get involved."
