Week 1: Manchester Titans and Titans Women Kick Off 2026 Season
British American Football is finally back! Week 1 of the BAFA National Leagues powered by Union Jack Classic kicks off this weekend with our Manchester Titans Premiership side and our Titans Women both playing a fixture against some very familiar opponents.
Featured player: Madeleine Tjalma (WR, #1)
Manchester Titans Women vs Teesside Steelers - 18 April 2026
Saturday 18 April sees our Women’s team traveling up North to face the Teesside Steelers. After a disappointing 2025 season, a lot of changes have been made to the team’s management, its player base, and coaching roster.
Speaking to our new Head of Women’s Contact Football, ex-Great Britain player Liz Majka, she tells us “The team has gone through a lot of changes, which have all been taken in stride by every player and staff member. We have Scott [Tomlinson] at the helm leading us as HC, with our DC and OC being from GB backgrounds whether that’s playing or coaching. Last year the Titans were a very different team.” She adds, “We are here to play, and bring as much competition as we can to each opponent we face.”
We also spoke with Scott Tomlinson, current Head Coach of Titans Women and long-time Offensive Lineman for the Manchester Titans. When asked what he’s most looking forward to this season, he said “It’s been a couple of seasons since I’ve coached the Women’s team. I am really excited to get back out there and put that Manchester stamp back on the league. The thing I’m most looking forward to is seeing how far the team has come since the start of pre-season and seeing all the hard work from both players and staff finally come to a head.”
As interim HC in 2023, Scott coached the Women’s team all the way to a silver medal in the 7s final against Teesside. He says “I would have to take my socks and shoes off to count the amount of times I have coached against Teesside. They have always been a hard team to go against but that means it’s always a really fun battle.”
It’s clear this will be a test of how Titans Women have prepared during the off and pre-season, but it’s also an opportunity for a fresh start. Liz says, “For me this season is all about rebuilding. We’ve had a new influx of rookies who have taken to the sport like a fish to water and I’m so excited to see everything come together for their debut.”
Mary Priestner, the Women’s Team Manager and Head Medic, says “I’ve been around this team now for 3 years and I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for a season. Some of the experience [the new coaches] bring is next level and that’s exciting for the players. We are ready to hit the ground running and most importantly have some fun playing football again.”
Titans Women kick off against Teesside Steelers at 1.30pm at Maiden Castle, DH1 3SE. Stay tuned for score updates on the Women’s Contact Instagram page @mcrtitanswomens!
Featured player: Brad Temple (WR, #1)
Manchester Titans vs Merseyside Nighthawks - 19 April 2026
On Sunday 19 April, the Manchester Titans Premiership side travel all the way to Fallowfield for their away fixture against the Merseyside Nighthawks. A familiar opponent from years gone by, the Nighthawks dropped down to Division 1 after the 2024 season but are now back in the Premiership North.
Speaking to Head Coach George Foster, he tells us “I’m looking forward to it. Merseyside had a great year to bounce back last season so will be coming into the game with a lot of momentum. There will always be surprises but we’ve prepped well and I’m sure our players will handle those surprises when they pop up.”
George is going into his second year as Head Coach for the Titans and is staying the course he charted for the team in 2025. He says, “Prep is mostly the same as last year, but we have certainly been able to carry over our momentum from last year. We’re focusing on our fundamentals and ensuring we are executing our skills at a high level. We’ve been very lucky to welcome a large group of new players again this year. We continue to get younger and hungrier, so I’m very excited to see some of the younger guys continue to step up.”
Asked what he’s most looking forward to in the 2026 season, he says “Seeing the guys go out and compete. It’s always special seeing their hard work come to fruition in a game. Nothing beats the atmosphere of a game day when everyone is firing!”
The Titans kick off against Merseyside at 2pm at the Armitage Centre on Moseley Road, M14 6PA. Entry to this game is free.
Catch the Titans and Titans Women at our double header home opener at Belle Vue Stadium on Saturday 2 May! Get your tickets today.
One Club, One Future
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