WILLIAMSBURG — Zable Stadium was buzzing with excitement as local women showcased their football skills at the fourth annual Mike London Football Camp on July 21.
London, who has been at the helm of Tribe football for six seasons, hosts the women’s clinic annually to present women with different career options in the professional football world.
“I want to emphasize the fact that there are women that are professional football players, there are women that are coaching in the NFL as position coaches, there are women that are NFL referees, there are women that are owners in the National Football Women’s League, there are so many different women in the genre of sport that we really want to celebrate,” London said.
Women who attended the camp had the opportunity to practice on-field drills, take part in a weightlifting competition, and the chance to try on equipment. There were also several guest speakers, including a female NFL referee, a female NFL position coach, and a female team owner from the Women’s Professional Football League.
London’s daughter, Kristen, is a two-gold medalist for Team USA Football. With eight years of experience, she spoke to attendees about playing professional tackle football and what it means to represent the U.S. at the highest level of the sport.
In addition, the women also learned about the importance of mental health, rehabbing injuries, and proper nutrition for elite athletes.
“All of those things encompass the full aspect of playing this game. We want our women to understand that it’s okay to speak up and speak out, and also prioritize things like rest and recovery. There is a mental aspect to how you play this game and it’s important that all facets of this game are covered,” London said.
Coach London and his coaching staff and players always look forward to the women’s clinic, and London and his team treat te clinic attendees the same way they treat Tribe football players.
“The experience is like watching any person who is learning the game. We’re helping them to find that ‘aha’ moment of, ‘oh, that’s how you catch a football, oh, that’s how you run a route.’ It’s all about the guided discovery, the coaches all love to have a platform to give back and watching them flourish, watching them get better, it’s really all about paying it forward,” London said.
London, who has four daughters, hopes to leave clinic participants with the knowledge that they have a place in the world of professional football.
“A lot of us have felt marginalized and minimized, this is a game where you can learn it, you can play it, you can be analytical about it, whatever it may be that gives you an opportunity, this game will make you feel like you do belong. Any woman can do any number of things and be really good at it. This sport is continuing to grow and it’s a really big deal.”