Stratford-upon-Avon College is set to sponsor one of its Uniformed Protective Services (UPS) lecturers to compete in the American Football European Championships.
UPS lecturer and Quarterback, Natalie Parker, will be representing Great Britain at the European Championships this August.
Natalie has been playing American Football since university; starting 11 years ago with non-contact flag football and then progressing to full contact 9 years ago.
Natalie has played with the Birmingham Lions women’s team in a national league since 2015. After competing in a range of competitions and enjoying highlights such as six national championships and winning the European Diamond bowl in 2018, she is excited to have been selected to represent Great Britian. If the team win against Finland in August, she will then go onto compete in the World Championships in 2025.
Natalie is excited to be competing: “It is incredible to be selected and to be taking part in the Championship. Especially if we make it to the World Championships, it will be the pinnacle of my American Football career!”
She is also pleased to be sponsored by the College: “Its massive, it really is, the funding allows me to train and travel and it was so wonderful to get support and recognition from my job.”
She also detailed the impact this achievement and her experience is having on the College: “Students have been taking an interest in the sport which is amazing! It has given me ways to connect with students and it has allowed students, especially our female students, to see a woman compete in a strong sport. Plus, this sport is open to all: every body shape, size and ability is required as there are so many different positions, and it is wonderful to promote that and have students comment on how great that is.”
As well as inspiring UPS students, Natalie has also presented talks to the College’s Sport students and adult learners.
Head of School for Sport & UPS, Phil Trilloe, commented: “Natalie is a new member of the Public Services teaching team this year and has been a fantastic addition to the teaching team and area. She is a very talented sportswoman, and we are all very proud of her incredible achievement in being selected to represent GB in the European Championships. We wish Natalie every success and will be cheering her on from afar.”
The Great Britain vs Finland match will be held in Worcester on August 17th and will be streamed by BAFA.
The whole college will be behind Natalie and the team!
