Veteran US coach Baxter trains over 100 NFL Flag players at UoN

Over 100 upcoming American Football players and 20 coaches are attending a first-ever three-day Youth Development Camp at the University of Nairobi.

The high profile clinic is being conducted by renowned American veteran high school and collegiate coach Harrison Baxter.

Baxter is taking the inspired youths through paces on NFL Flag, a non-contact form of American Football meant to introduce school-going children and beginners to the sport.

The clinic comes barely a month after Kenya struck silver in the U13 category at the NFL Flag Continental Youth Championship in Cairo, Egypt.

Among those attending the clinic is Green Edgewood Academy captain Owen Kinyua, who led the Kenyan U13 side to the podium in the Cairo showpiece.

"Today, we have been taught about drills; how to pitch, run and exercise strength, ability and frequency in the game. The knowledge and skills we are getting here are equipping us to become better players.

“Personally, I have a dream, which is to land a scholarship, travel to America, play the sport at the highest level, then return to Kenya to give back to society," Kinyua told Standard Sports.

Early Learners Academy skipper Mary Njeri is glad to have finally embraced American Football right from the camp.

"It's my first time engaging in the sport, but I feel fired up. I feel this is an interesting game which is full of fun.

"I'm eager to learn and go deeper in this game. So far, we have been taught defensive skills, ball spinning and control, and making of the routes," Njeri highlighted.

Baxter, who has been an instructor for 30 years in the discipline, is happy with the way the ongoing camp is panning out.

"The players are very sharp, they have mastered the various drills, tactics, techniques and style of play that I’m teaching them.

"I'm also impressed with the facilities in Kenya, especially the grassed pitches which we no longer have in America. I like it when the game is taught and played on grass for beginners," Baxter highlighted.

This is the second time that Baxter is conducting a clinic in Kenya, having taken 20 coaches through American Football training last year, which was later followed up with two Zoom clinics with the help of other USA coaches.

Baxter noted that this camp and other clinics are major building blocks to Kenya hosting an international team(s) in the discipline and showcasing their talents to the world.

“I’m happy by the reception and enthusiasm we have received from the Kenya Tourism Board, Sports Ministry and USA Embassy about the future of the American Football project in Kenya." Baxter stated.

Kenya Federation of American Football (KFAF) president George Alwanga noted that this is the first time Kenya is holding a clinic for the U15, terming it a great milestone in the development of the sport.

"The objective of this camp is to impart fundamentals of Flag Football in Kenya, we are using schools and Physical Education teachers in this process, as that's where the growth and development of the game lies," Alwanga said.

"This youth camp is more of a build-up exercise, as we want to make sure we are raising the standard of this game in the country."

Alwanga also hailed Baxter, noting that the veteran tactician has been instrumental for Kenya in his partnership with KFAF through the training of coaches and upcoming players, which is gradually professionalising the sport.

"The camp is also providing a pathway for the National Championship to be held next year, where the winning school will get an opportunity to represent the country in the 2026 Youth Championship,” Alwanga stated.

Some of the schools that brought their players to grace the Nairobi development NFL Flag camp include Ruaraka Academy, Green Edgewood Academy, the White Cottage School, and Early Learners Academy, among others.