Cornish Sharks head coach Brian Smallworth has unveiled plans to set up a junior American Football League in the county.

Under the proposals, 12 teams will play matches across three divisions during the summer, with the league open for youngsters aged 12-18.

Smallworth said: "There are kids all over Cornwall that are talented and it's just for us to find them.

"I'm looking to have it up and running for next year."

He added: "We've still got a lot of paperwork to do with the coaches, so it's a long old process."

The Cornish Sharks currently play in the British American Football League Division Two South West.

And with American Football a developing sport across the county, Smallworth is hoping the creation of a youth league will spur further interest.

He said: "St Ives is pretty close to being included, Truro will be having its own team and Hayle.

"So we'll have Newquay, St Ives, Truro and Hayle, and they'll be the first division of the 12-team league.

"The whole ideas is that the 12 youth teams will play within Cornwall and then we'll have a Team Cornwall trials."

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