A university scholarship programme has been launched in the UK for young players of American football.
The Gridiron Grant is being run by NFL team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, in partnership with LGT Vestra US, and will offer university scholarships each year to two students involved in the sport in their community, or students participating in a JagTag programme in school – a simplified, non-contact version of American football.
Students interested in the opportunity have until April 20 to apply via the Jaguars’ website, and applicants will be judged on criteria including academic achievement, participation in American football, commitment to the community and demonstration of personal endeavour.
“Linking together sport and business with education is a powerful partnership – one that breeds development and progress; the skills and discipline that American football players learn in terms of the importance of team work will benefit the recipients of the Gridiron Grant,” said Sir William Atkinson, a headteacher who sits on the panel of judges for the grant.
To mark the launch of the scholarship, former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell (pictured centre right), a winner of the Super Bowl, played a game of JagTag with aspiring professional players on the banks of the Thames.
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