Huntingdon Cadet plays American Football for Great Britain

The profile of American football has risen considerably in this country in recent years, making it a significant British sport. Many schools now include it as part of their curriculum. For 16 year old Huntingdon Cadet Corporal Scarlett Woolley, her love for the sport has bought her significant success, and become a passion that will go on shaping her life into the future.

Scarlett joined Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force four years ago. Some of her most memorable experiences have been a Coy trip to the Imperial War Museum Duxford, which taught her a great deal about the history of the British Army, and taking part in a first aid competition, which increased her knowledge of that subject. She completed the Junior Cadet Instructors’ Cadre, increasing her confidence and enabling her to be promoted and teach other cadets.

Her Detachment Commander, SSI Andy Phipps, said: “I’m proud of all my cadets, but Cpl Woolley has come on leaps and bounds since she started. She has become an impressive young lady, and a model cadet, taking control of situations and earning the respect of myself and the other cadets. I hope that she can soon be promoted to Sergeant.”

She plays American football with Hinchingbrooke school, which took her to the school national finals, where her team came second. Here, she was spotted by a scout who saw that she was what the under 18 National British Team was looking for, and contacted her through her coach, Doug Finlayson. Her coach was then able to prepare her for the three trials needed to gain a place on the National Team, leading to her being one of ten chosen in September 2024 from the hundreds of applicants.

She said: “I was absolutely ecstatic. It was so exciting to represent the Country!” She plays the position of Blitzer, whose role is to “run at the quarterback and try and mess up their play.”

In September 2024, she played her first international match, in Serbia, which proved to be an incredible experience. She said: “I was very nervous because I was with new people, but as I got to know them better, the whole experience became better, until they were like my second family. We did a lot of practice to go to Serbia. Great Britain were the reigning champions at the time. The competition got much harder though, and we came seventh, but there were a lot of teams, so we did well, our team played confidently, and we had fun. It was very exciting.”

Since Serbia, Hinchingbrooke School have formed a new team, Hinchingbrooke Hunters, which is now also open to young people from outside the school. As well as being part of this new team, Scarlett now teaches the younger team members, a position that draws directly on her cadet teaching experience. She said: ”Being a cadet has given me a lot of experience and confidence which helps a lot. Teaching the younger players is difficult, but it’s a good experience, sharing what I love so other people can like it too, and contributing to the growth of American Football in the UK.”

When she completes her GCSEs, she hopes to try out for The American Football Academy at Loughborough. She will shortly also try out for the Under 21 British National Team. A career as an American Football player may be possible for her, but she is also considering an Army career with the Royal Army Medical Service.

She said: “I have learnt a lot playing American football, it takes me away from everything else, and it’s really fun. The Army Cadets has helped me develop the discipline needed, and its values and standards are very much the same. Being an Army Cadet has bought me a lot more confidence in speaking to people and making new friends. I like meeting new people and learning about their experiences and what they have to say. “

Article by 2Lt Doug Stuart, with thanks to Cdt Cpl Woolley.