Scotland American Football returned to action this fall in the BAFA under-19 Regional Series. The outfit went 2-0 to cement Scotland as a powerhouse on the UK stage, surpassing the venerable SGS College as well as Team North.
Another area that set Scotland apart from the competition was their gameday experience and social media presence. GM Sam Stoddart-Durning secured a partnership with Scottish American Football podcast Tartan Touchdown for media coverage.
He said: “It shouldn’t be overlooked how much of a professional feel they brought to our gameday.”
The partnership began with stadium PA last season for the Scotland v North home game at Meggetland Stadium. Renewed for this year, it paid off with a fantastic experience for fans who came to see Scotland take on SGS College.
Tartan Touchdown’s Gavin Strathearn said: “With a lot of amateur sport, presentation is everything. Having the stadium at Meggetland and having such a well-supported team on and off the field meant you could build a really special event.
“There’s not just a lot of love for NFL in Scotland but also a lot to be excited about in the amateur game. It was incredible to see one of the biggest crowds in Britball all year – comparable to Britbowl in terms of tickets sold.”
The podcast also expanded into video coverage, posting highlight reels during and after the game.
“What we’ve learned is timeliness is everything. Getting things out quickly, giving frequent updates as the game is happening… people are more likely to come back.”
This approach proved fruitful, with one reel of a controversial touchdown catch garnering international attention on social media. The team hopes the engagement will fuel more attention into the sport and increase the fandom.
“Hundreds of thousands of people saw the clip of Zack Scott. If you can get even one or two percent of people to come along to the game… it’s so important.
“There are other ways you can get involved, as we have done, whether in promoting, coaching or helping with gameday logistics. There’s a role that people can play no matter their age or means.”
For a niche sport, the promotional aspect is invaluable. With Scotland pushing new frontiers every season, they will look to attract new sponsorship opportunities to help sustain their growth.
Stoddart spoke of his aspirations for next year and beyond: “I would love to challenge the Scottish programme to host a European team in Edinburgh or Glasgow and eventually take the Scotland team on tour with financial backing to take on the giants of football. You have to play the best to be the best.”
As the Regional Series enters the offseason, Tartan Touchdown turn their focus onto Flag Football. The sport is set to debut at the LA Olympics in 2028 and presents the largest opportunity for American Football’s international growth.
Follow Scotland American Football on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date.
