After five weeks of thrilling regular season action, the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag League reached its conclusion on Monday evening in Ealing, as the Ealing Fields Jets secured the inaugural title against the Beaconsfield Bears, by a score of 38-12.

All 12 teams and 130 girls took part in the event, with games directly between Jets and Bears teams for the first time in the league to date. Ealing Fields and Beaconsfield progressed to the grand final after victories against Featherstone and Northwood respectively, with a large crowd gathering to watch the final unfold.

Along with the on-field action, the event at Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club also had hair braiding, eye black artists, cornhole, jenga, BBQ and an ice cream stand, as the girls celebrated their extraordinary progress in the London sunshine.

Since the launch event on March 8th at the same location, the progress of the participating teams has been eye-catching, with a number of dazzling plays stealing the show. Along with their on-field displays, the girls impressed with their off-field teamwork, camaraderie and passion for the game.

Almost all girls had zero experience playing flag football before the league began, but threw themselves head first into the challenge, representing their schools and teams with pride.

During the trophy presentation, which included short speeches from Jets and Bears community representatives Eli Hodges and Gustavo Silva, it was also revealed that the winning Ealing Fields team would represent the Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this year, in a one-off contest with their German equivalents.

Ealing Fields went the regular season unbeaten, and it was clear why on Monday as they dominated on offence and defence when it mattered most, pulling away in a final that had all to play for at half time.

The teams were cheered on by a number of parents, relatives and fans, including flag player and Sky Sports analyst Phoebe Schecter and former New York Jet Erik Coleman. Coleman also spent the day before attending a grassroots training session at Finsbury Park, the home of the London Blitz.

The six week league was an extension of the Jets hugely successful domestic Girls Flag programme, and marks the start of what they hope will be a sustained effort in the United Kingdom to promote grassroots American Football.