Lamonte Winston appointed head of NFL Academy in the UK

The NFL Academy, which opened in September 2019, is a major initiative by the NFL, which aims to use American football to create life-changing opportunities for young people all around the world.

It offers talented student athletes aged 16–19 a pathway to combine their full-time education alongside a transformative life skills program and intensive training in the sport, under the guidance of a professional coaching team.

Based at Loughborough’s world-renowned center of sporting excellence in the UK, and in partnership with Loughborough College and Loughborough University, the program promotes world class performance and the development of elite player pathways, supporting student athletes with NFL best practices and resources.

The NFL Academy currently supports 59 student athletes from 9 different countries (Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Nigeria, Sweden and United Kingdom). Since its inception more than 40 students have secured college football scholarships in the US. 15 NFL Academy alumni will play NCAA football in the 2023–24 season.

The NFL Academy play competitive fixtures across the academic year against US High Schools, including the IMG Academy, as well as the best youth football teams in Europe and counts Nike, Wilson, New Era and EA Sports as supporting partners.

Kris Durham will continue to consult on all matters across Football Development, Europe & Africa, including global talent identification & performance development to unlock opportunities for players to help secure US college football scholarships and creating development pathways within international coaching & enhancing scouting networks.