1989 NDMA Kitted

The 1989 season of the NDMA Youth Kitted League was held during the autumn, following directly after the traditional summer league had concluded. This unusual timing meant that many young players competed in two full seasons within the same calendar year, a testament to both their dedication and the growing appetite for youth American football in the UK.

The National Division Management Association (NDMA) was a newly formed body in 1988, operating under the wider umbrella of the Budweiser League. It was created to oversee the National Division—essentially the top tier of British American football—comprising the country’s 15 most elite clubs. Entry into this top flight was governed by strict criteria, including on-field performance, financial stability, stadium infrastructure, and notably, the requirement to field a fully kitted youth team.

The 1989 youth season reflected the ambition of this new structure. With two teams finishing the regular season unbeaten, emerging rivalries, and a championship game decided by a single safety, the year delivered a unique blend of high drama and high standards—further accelerating the momentum behind the UK’s expanding youth kitted football scene.

📊 League Standings

TeamPYDWLTFA%
Leicester Panthers6600192361.000*
London Olympians660074261.000*
Birmingham Bulls642082370.667*
Fylde Falcons6240641680.333*
Northants Stormbringers6240881590.333
Manchester Spartans624064830.333
Manchester Allstars606037920.000

Summary:
The Leicester Panthers steamrolled through the season with the league’s top offense and a stout defense, while the London Olympians remained unbeaten with a defense-first identity. Birmingham pushed both hard, while Fylde and Northants battled mid-table. The Allstars, despite spirited performances, ended the year winless.

🔥 Semi-Finals

In the semi-final round, the Olympians shut out the Birmingham Bulls with a commanding 30–0 win, relying on their physical defense and efficient execution. Meanwhile, Leicester continued their offensive onslaught, posting a massive 50–0 shutout of the Fylde Falcons.

Semi-Final Results:

  • London Olympians 30–0 Birmingham Bulls
  • Leicester Panthers 50–0 Fylde Falcons

🏆 NDMA Youth Kitted Bowl

Saffron Lane, Leicester

In an unexpected defensive showdown between two unbeaten powerhouses, the Leicester Panthers edged the London Olympians by a razor-thin 2–0 scoreline. It was a tightly fought battle defined by field position and discipline. The Panthers sealed the championship with a safety—the only points in the game—highlighting how even the smallest margins can decide titles.

Championship Final:

  • Leicester Panthers 2–0 London Olympians

🧩 Final Notes

  • Leicester capped a perfect season with a defensive gem in the final.
  • The Olympians allowed just 2 points all season—but those were enough to deny them the title.

1987 – Two Touch

The 1987 season of the Junior American Football League (JAFL) saw a sharp increase in competition with a total of 33 English and Welsh teams entering the season, and culminating in a landmark two-touch final held at Loftus Road—home of top-flight football club Queens Park Rangers.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

PYDWLT%
CHELMSFORD CHEROKEE8800
TIPTREE TITANS8620
COLCHESTER TRIDENTS8350
BIRCHGLEN EAGLES8260
IPSWICH IMPERIALS8170

Summary:
Chelmsford Cherokee dominated the Eastern Conference with an unblemished record, while the Tiptree Titans proved a strong second-place team. The rest of the conference struggled to match their pace.

HOME COUNTIES CONFERENCE

PYDWLT%
LUTON JNR FLYERS10910
NORTHANTS STORMBRINGERS10820
MILTON KEYNES YEARLINGS10253
WEEDON WARRIORS10253
HERTS SPIRITS10370
HUNTINGDON HAWKS10271

Summary:
Luton Junior Flyers emerged as one of the strongest teams in the league, with only one defeat. Northants Stormbringers were a close second, setting up both for deep playoff runs.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

PYDWLT%
SWANSEA DRAGONS JNRS6411
BRISTOL BOMBERS6411
SWINDON SAMAURI6222
SHIREWAY SHARKS7160

Summary:
A tightly contested group at the top, the Swansea Dragons and Bristol Bombers led the way—although both benefited from the withdrawal of the Frome Oakfield Express and Gloucester Meteors.

MIDLANDS CONFERENCE

PYDWLT%
COVENTRY BEARS8710
BIRMINGHAM BULLS8620
SOLIHULL SHARKS8341
WEST BROM COMETS8341
WORCESTER SORCERORS8080

Summary:
Coventry and Birmingham proved strong in the Midlands, but Coventry’s lone loss made them slight favorites heading into the playoffs. Worcester’s winless campaign marked a tough year for them.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

PYDWLT%
PORTSMOUTH WARRIORS6600
BOURNEMOUTH BENGALS6330
SOUTH STAR SCORPIONS6330
HAMPSHIRE KNIGHTS6060

Summary:
Portsmouth were flawless in this smaller conference and looked dangerous going into the playoffs.

LONDON EASTERN CONFERENCE

PYDWLT%
KENT RAMS6411
ELM PARK EAGLES6420
ACORN INVADERS6231
GRAVESEND LIONS6150

Summary:
Kent Rams narrowly edged out Elm Park to top the division and proved their mettle through the playoffs.

LONDON WESTERN CONFERENCE

PYDWLT%
STREATHAM OLYMPIANS8800
RENEGADE CRUISERS7*430
LONDON RAVENS8440
EALING EAGLES7*340
WINDSOR MONARCHS8080

Summary:
The Olympians were dominant, but their playoff campaign ended controversially after they were removed by JAFA’s disciplinary committee.

PLAYOFF RESULTS

1st Round:

  • Tiptree Titans 6–9 Swansea Dragons
  • London Ravens 0–10 Streatham Olympians
  • South Star Scorpions 0–18 Chelmsford Cherokee
  • Bournemouth Bengals 0–19 Portsmouth Warriors
  • Elm Park Eagles 10–6 Coventry Bears
  • Renegade Cruisers 0–7 Luton Jnr Flyers
  • Birmingham Bulls 0–2 Northants Stormbringers
  • Kent Rams 5–0 Bristol Bombers

Quarter-Finals:

  • Kent Rams 14–13 Portsmouth Warriors
  • Swansea Dragons 1–0 Streatham Olympians*
  • Elm Park Eagles 2–18 Chelmsford Cherokee
  • Northants Stormbringers 0–14 Luton Jnr Flyers

* Olympians were disqualified post-match.

Semi-Finals:

  • Swansea 3–12 Chelmsford Cherokee
  • Kent Rams 6–0 Luton Jnr Flyers

Sound & Vision Championship Game (at Loftus Road, QPR’s Ground)

Kent Rams 24 – 8 Chelmsford Cherokee

In a grand finale at Loftus Road, the Kent Rams sealed their first national title, overpowering the previously undefeated Chelmsford Cherokee. The event, played just before the senior national final, marked a major milestone in the development of youth American football in Britain.

Front Cover of the 1987 JAFL two touch Championship game

A Season Not Without Its Troubles

However, the season also faced serious challenges. A persistent shortage of referees caused numerous early games to be postponed. The situation was eventually resolved when teams were allowed to appoint referees from within their own ranks—raising concerns about impartiality.

There were also financial concerns: some teams had reportedly not received any benefit from their £25 registration fees, sparking questions about how the JAFA’s finances were being managed.

The biggest controversy surrounded the disqualification of the Streatham Olympians, who were removed from the playoffs after a player was suspected of having a knife in his kit-bag. This prompted a disciplinary hearing. Despite only 7 of the league’s 32 teams participating in the meeting, the Olympians were removed from the play-offs. Streatham’s manager, Larry Weaver, described the ruling as a “concerted effort to remove us from the league.”

📈 Looking Ahead

Despite the turbulence, plans are now underway to launch a fully kitted and sponsored Junior League next season. The increasing involvement of local clubs, volunteers, and sponsors is a sign that junior American football is beginning to take firm root in the UK.

As one official put it: “Football here has at last arrived.”

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