CHICAGO BEARS CEMENT MANCHESTER AS AMERICAN FOOTBALL HUB WITH RETURNING MINI MONSTERS CLINICS

Manchester, June 25th, 2024—Chicago Bears have once again returned to Manchester as part of the NFL team’s 2024 Mini Monsters UK tour brought to you by Nike. It will offer children and teachers from schools across the city their first experience of American Football.

Over 600 children from 16 schools attended the 90-minute clinics at Manchester Metropolitan University on Monday, with Chicago Bears current superstar wide-receiver DJ Moore and team alumni Kaseem Sinceno helping to lead the sessions.

Mini Monsters clinics provide free youth coaching for boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 12. The programme stresses the importance of healthy eating, physical activity, and proper hydration through fun, non-contact American football drills. All children and young people can participate regardless of experience with American Football or physical capability.

2024 marks the third time the Mini Monsters Clinics have returned to the city following successful visits in 2022 and 2023. Earlier in the year the Bears strengthened their ties in the region by launching the first ever girls only Flag Football league in Manchester for schools across the North West. Participants from the inaugural league acted as volunteer coaches for the Mini-Monsters Clinic in Manchester.

The Bears have chosen Manchester as one of their key locations for UK activities, as part of their broader commitment to promoting diversity and equity in sports and communities across the UK. As part of the trip, DJ and Kaseem spent a day with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

New for this year, the 90-minute clinics were followed by afternoon coaching sessions available to local PE teachers and sports coaches. The sessions offered practical experience on how to coach American Football drills and ensure the initiative's lasting impact.

The Super Bowl 20 champions' visit to Manchester was the second stop in a two-city UK tour this June. Mini Monsters clinics will reach 1,200 kids from 16 schools across Edinburgh and Manchester, with the NFL team aiming to inspire and encourage more boys and girls to pick up American Football for the first time.

Commenting on the Mini Monsters Clinics' third consecutive UK tour and return to Manchester, Chicago Bears player DJ Moore said: “American Football offers so many unique opportunities for young people. It was great to see everyone enjoying the drills with smiles on their faces and it reminded me of when I was playing growing up. I can’t wait to be back in the UK to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this year and continue to experience the growing understanding and passion for our sport.”

Kassem Sinceno added: “Initiatives like this offer young people the perfect introduction to American Football. Young people are the future of our sport, and so it was great to see so much positive energy and smiling faces today.”

Moore and Sinceno were joined on-site at Manchester Metropolitan University by Bears Manager of Youth Football & Community Programs, Gustavo Silva.

Making his third visit to the UK with the initiative this summer, Silva commented: “Following the success of our first visit to Manchester two years ago, and this year’s inaugural Manchester Girls’ Flag League, we knew we had to bring our clinics back bigger and better.

“Our Mini Monsters clinics introduce school pupils and their teachers to the emotional and physical benefits of our sport, so we are particularly pleased to incorporate our coaching sessions for teachers into this year's visit. Growing their understanding of the sport and its benefits helps children to adopt the healthy habits we want to share through American Football.”

The initiative strengthens Chicago Bears commitment to the UK, where they have marketing rights through the NFL’s Global Markets Program. In October 2024, the team will return to the UK to take on Jacksonville Jaguars at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London as part of the 2024 NFL International Games.