Is Inter Services American Football on the way?

Prospects for an American Football Inter Services tournament are gathering pace as players across the UK Armed Forces gathered for a training camp in Tidworth.

Players from the British Army, Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force had the opportunity for the first time to test their skills against each other in a game situation.

This training camp marks one year since American Football was given category 3 status – an effort that took two years of hard work to accomplish.

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Commander AJ Snell, chair of Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces American Football, said that achieving that status for American Football in the UK is something that people have "tried to do for years".

He said: "People have been trying to get it as an official sport and that's where we are now.

"Our pathway is to have Inter Services competitions next summer and that will be hosted in three different locations in a, sort of, round-robin tournament-type affair where we will be playing each other competitively.

"The future is looking bright for Inter Services football and, eventually, an UK Armed Forces team as well."

The UKAF team currently have a large Army presence.

The RAF has a sizeable number of players but the Royal Navy has a relatively small impact within the team.

Royal Navy player, Leading Hand Sam Scott, plays for the civilian side Solent Thrashers alongside his soldier brother, Lance Bombardier Tom Scott, who also plays for the Army.

Both would be on opposing sides when the time comes for an Inter Services clash.

LH Scott said: "I've been waiting for this for a long time. He's always been talking a lot saying he is the better one and now we are getting the opportunity to compete against each other.

"It will be friendly to an extent, but it's been a long time coming."

Speaking about American Football's rise in popularity in the Armed Forces and the UK, LBdr Scott said: "It is so good, it means I get to play at the weekend for my civilian team and during the week as a part of my job, so I can't complain."