MATCHROOM Stadium could have been mistaken for an American football ground this morning as the Tampa Bay Buccaneer cheerleaders took over for a day.

Visiting as part of the NFL International Series, children from local primary and secondary schools were given a taste of American life at the nearby Score Centre with NFL flag football sessions and 'cheer camps'.

Kwame Taylor, 12, in Year 8 Lammas School, said: “Playing American football was a bit different and quite fun.

“I had fun today – I really enjoyed meeting the cheerleaders.”

PE teacher Darren Braithwaite added: “It's something out of the ordinary – it makes a big change from rugby.”

Cheer camps were held throughout the day for younger children during which they taught how to shake their pompoms with the pros.

Cheerleader Kelli Jones said: “We gave them a taste of what cheerleaders do in the states.

“We taught them cheers and played games.”

Regular flag football coaching sessions are now held as part of the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme after coach Paul Motion became learned about the game.

He said: “Once I came to understand the rules, I was definitely hooked. The kids really enjoy it – it's something they've never seen before.

“They're really looking forward to the game on Sunday.”

The series will see a clash between the 'Bucs' as they are known and the New England Patriots this Sunday at Wembley stadium.

And despite their traditionally skimpy costumes the cheerleaders haven't been put off by the brisk London weather.

Corinne Colon, an account co-ordinator as well as a cheerleader, said: “It's beautiful – we love the weather here.

“We're happy to have autumn – we never get to have real seasons in Tampa.”

They also visited children at Jenny Hammond and Riverley Primary Schools in the afternoon.