Updates

The NFL launched an NFL Flag schools initiative for every post-primary school across the island of Ireland in partnership with Sport Ireland and American Football Ireland.

NFL Flag starter kits were delivered to more than 900 post-primary schools on the island of Ireland, for students aged 12–16 years. Teachers will also receive free online educational resources for the classroom, as well as information about free teacher training courses to help them use the game in lessons, after school clubs and leagues.

The initiative is part of the league’s long-term commitment to grow and develop flag football, the non-contact format of American football, creating more opportunities for young people to learn about flag football and play the game across the island. In 2024 the league and American Football Ireland launched an NFL Flag pilot program. Now, there are 60 schools (35 primary and 25 post-primary) engaged across the island of Ireland, with more than 4,500 boys and girls playing the game and ambitions to grow participation to more than 50,000 by 2027.

To launch the initiative the NFL, Legend Merril Hoge, and Washington Commanders star Efe Obada, visited Kingswood Community College to deliver NFL Flag equipment and provide a flag football coaching clinic for students.

“With the first NFL 2025 Dublin game just weeks away, and a new NFL season kicking off alongside a new academic year, now is the perfect time to launch our NFL Flag schools initiative,” said NFL UK & Ireland General Manager Henry Hodgson. “Flag football is fast-paced, exciting, accessible to all, and alongside our partners Sport Ireland and American Football Ireland, we look forward to welcoming more young people to the game of flag football as a result and building upon our long-term commitment to growing the game at every level on the island of Ireland in the years ahead. We want every post-primary school aged child in Ireland to have the opportunity to be able to catch the excitement of the first NFL Dublin Game and start playing flag football.”

“On behalf of American Football Ireland, we are delighted to welcome this campaign to Ireland,” said President of American Football Ireland Alan Lomasney. “This initiative and the investment in our sport by schools across the country will help introduce the game to a younger generation who will have the pathway to progress from school to club to international level football.  We look forward to seeing them participating with their schools and being involved in the continuing growth of American Football across the island of Ireland.”

Each school received:

• NFL Flag football pack including 10 flag belts and a Wilson Youth Football
• Online video resource on how to play NFL Flag, featuring Charlie Smyth (Irish kicker on the New Orleans Saints practice squad) 
• Access to free NFL inspired educational school resources and NFL Flag resources on Twinkl 
• Link to register for NFL Flag teacher training
• Discounts on Wison Flag Football equipment

Learn more about the NFL’s international impact.