Several former NFL stars arrived in east Kent last week ahead of a pair of American Football camps.

The AFD 2014 Pro-Am Kickoff Camp saw scores of players from across the country descend on Aylesham Welfare Leisure Centre for the two-day camp across Saturday and Sunday.

The event kicked-off with a gala dinner at Canterbury Cathedral on Friday night where players were able to mingle with coaches including two-time Superbowl winner and ProBowl tight end Byron Chamberlain, a former Denver Bronco.

He was joined on the coaching staff by former New Orleans Saints tight end Ronnie Ghent, former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Orrin Thompson and former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Derrick McBride.

NFL pros coach UK players in Kent

Players were put through their paces in a series of position-specific drills, as well as being given expert tuition on the fundamentals of the game across both days.

Sunday afternoon saw a 7vs7 camp championship with the winning team getting the chance to line-up against the ex-pros in a show-piece finale, which ended in a tie.

Chamberlain explained: “I got a chance to experience football in London during my time in NFL Europe. My goal was to help teach fundamentals and passion for the game. I love the game of football and want to spread my love for it to others around the globe. I was impressed by the passion for the game at the camp.”

A youth camp for under-18s is being held at Aylesham today and tomorrow (April 10 and 11), while AFD’s UK Managing Director Gur Samuel revealed he hoped the success of the inaugural camp might lead to another later in the year.

He said: “We are trying to legitimately grow the game in the right way. The first camp has gone successfully and everyone who has been to the camp will say they have left a better player. We’re thinking September-October time for the next one. Hopefully this will help raise the standard and grow the sport in this country.”