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Jaguars Academy returns for 2018 – this time as a contact camp!
The National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars are returning to London this summer to give British amateur American football talent the chance to be coached by Jaguars Alumni & NFL professionals at the Jaguars Academy held at Brunel University in Uxbridge from July 12-15 – in response to popular demand this year's academy will introduce pads and controlled contact to the coaching sessions.
For the third year in a row, Former Jaguars and NFL pros, will run a three-day residential training camp which will give amateur players a genuine feel of practicing at the highest level. The academy is part of the Jaguars' continued year-round commitment to growing participation and improving the game of American football in the U.K.
The Jaguars Playing Academy provide guidance to all offensive and defensive positions. Places are limited and the cost to attend is £300, which includes two full sets of kit, laundry, two nights residency at Brunel and all meals. If you are quick, there are two offers to take advantage of (offers cannot be combined):
- EARLY BIRD OFFER: Discount of £50 if you book within the first month, starting on 23rd March 2018
- GROUP OFFER:Discount of £50 per person if 5 players or more from the same BUCS, BAFA or other organised team book onto the Jaguars Playing Academy (this includes anybody that has already booked on)
The goal of the Playing Academy is to improve the standard of the game in the U.K. by offering a level of coaching not available outside the US. At last year's Playing Academy, 160 participants from across Britain and Europe participated in the event. The Coaching staff will be bolstered this year too, with Super Bowl winners Mark Brunell, Fernando Bryant and Keith McKenzie joining Hall of Fame candidate Tony Boselli as the coaches for the week
"We cannot wait to return to the UK for another academy this summer," said Jaguars Legend Mark Brunell. "We have had two brilliant camps in 2016 and 2017, but we are confident that this year's camp is going to be the best yet. The introduction of pads and 'thud' contact is going to bring another level to the coaching and playing experience – bringing the camp sessions even closer to the sessions our players go through during their training camps. We are delighted with the coaching staff we have assembled, Hall of Fame candidates, Super Bowl Champions and Jaguars legends – you really won't get coaching like this anywhere else in Europe"
"The weekend is not one to be missed for any American football players outside the US" said Hall of Fame Candidate, Tony Boselli "The level of coaching that the Jaguars put on across the weekend is second to none, the competition amongst the players is top level too. The introduction of pads and thud this year, is a great change – it allows us as coaches to bring different drills into practice and pass across even more skills/technique into our sessions."
The Jaguars Academy will be suited to male and female players with at least a year of playing experience. Training will take place during the day, while the evenings will be dedicated to film review with the coaches, as every training session will be taped.
Participant Martin Rains of the Swindon Storm said of last year's academy – ' The coaching was fantastic, you have guys who have played in the NFL for years, you don't get that level of experience over here – it is a unique opportunity to learn from the very best and I would recommend it to anyone'
To sign up to this amazing opportunity, please head to www.jagscampandacademy.com and fully complete the registration.
Along with the Playing Academy there will also be a UK-based one-day coaching clinic for amateur coaches at Brunel University on July 15. The day will be tailored to U.K. and Europe-based American football coaches looking to expand their knowledge and experience from first-hand NFL-level coaching with the ultimate goal of allowing coaches to return to their respective teams and improve team performance and individual player development. This Jaguars Coaching Academy is for any coach looking to further their experience and it will cost £75 per attendee. People can also take advantage of the watching the final day of the Playing Academy, Saturday 14 July, for an extra £50, which includes lunch and ability to watch practice in action.
The Jaguars Playing Academy and Jaguars Coaching Academy are both part of a broader commitment to improve and grow the game of American football in the U.K. The Jaguars are also putting on a national flag American Football tournament, the Jaguars Se7ens Cup, and a schools programme, JagTag. With these programmes, the Jaguars are aiming to improve the quality and playing knowledge of American Football at the grassroots level.
