Thanks to the proliferation of American football in the United Kingdom, there are gridiron clubs in countless different places around the country. As you might imagine, London has its fair share of clubs, with the London Warriors being one such example.
Although many people talking about football in London will be referring to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and West Ham United, there are plenty who will be making a reference to the American variety and clubs like the London Warriors will be only too familiar to them, which is pretty impressive when considering where they came from.
The London Warriors’ History
It was back in 2007 that the London Warriors were formed as a senior team to complement the youth team, which had won the British Youth American Football Association for two years running prior to that point. The club was accepted into the British American Football League as affiliated members, arranging to play a couple of friendly games in order to meet the BAFL’s requirements of playing under their rules. In the October, the team played home and away games against sides from the British Universities American Football League, with the first being at home.
That game was played against the Royal Holloway Vikings, resulting in a 54-0 win for the Warriors. A week later, the team hit the road in order to take on the Loughborough Aces, again enjoying success thanks to a 42-7 victory. Having completed their obligations as set out by the rules, the BAFL accepted the Warriors as members of the league, albeit at the time the team was known as the Cobras. They then competed in the league proper for the first time in 2008 as full members, remaining part of the British American Football League ever since.
An Amateur Club with Professional Standards
‘The only team that can beat us is ourselves’: How @LondonWarriors built a dynasty | writes @Matt_Banks3https://t.co/PqSRh9aqh8 | @LW_Women pic.twitter.com/jNLplKltfo
— The Londoners (@LondonersNews) April 9, 2020
The London Warriors are based in the South London area, having been founded as a junior team, the London Cobras, in 2005 before seeing the adult side brought in in 2007. Nowadays, the club has grown into one that offers several different teams, starting at the age of seven-year-olds. Both contact and non-contact forms of the game are offered by the London Warriors, which labels itself as ‘an amateur club with professional standards’. There is a culture of growth and success at the club, which tries to help all of the players grow to become what they want to be.
You shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that the club being an amateur organisation means that you won’t get the full American football experience if you choose to get involved with them, either as a player, a volunteer or a member of the crowd on a match day. The coaching staff is considered to be one of Europe’s finest, featuring the likes of National Football League coaches, as well as both college and high school experienced people. Those that play for the club can follow previous alumni in progressing to join the NFL Academy, as well as even the NFL itself.
Others have moved to the United States of America on football scholarships in order to study at US colleges, whilst some have been chosen to represent Great Britain in American football. Thousands of young people have made their way through the club’s system, having their experiences affected positively and going on to gain paid employment thanks to the support that they’ve received from the London Warriors. Whether you want to play or just volunteer to help out, gaining good experience in the process, the option is available to you with the Warriors.