Crossing Continents: The Rise of Australia’s NFL FLAG Team

 

NFL FLAG Championships Presented by Toyota

 

 

July 22, 2024

Crossing Continents: The Rise of Australia’s NFL FLAG Team

 

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When Jordan Lowe geared up his Australian NFL FLAG team and embarked on a 26-hour flight to compete at the NFL FLAG Championships Presented by Toyota, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. 

Lowe, who coaches the 10 players representing Australia in NFL FLAG’s International Division—alongside Shannon Austin—faced a unique challenge: His players had just learned the rules of flag football 10 weeks prior.

The newly-formed team was part of the NFL’s global initiative to expand American football beyond U.S. borders. This initiative is multifaceted, including the International Player Pathway Program, international games, and partnerships with organizations like the International Federation of American Football and NFL FLAG.

At the Championships, hosted at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Australia joined five other international teams—Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom—in a showcase of global talent and sportsmanship.

The Journey

 

The journey began when an NFL representative visited Benowa State High School, nestled on the Gold Coast, and proposed creating a flag football team. Known for its sports excellence program, the school gathered 40 youth athletes for tryouts, eventually narrowing the team down to 10 players.

“At the start of the year, we heard about a tournament in Logan. We got our squad of 40, cut it down to 10, and those 10 people got to play in the tournament,” explained 14-year-old Matilda Featherstone. 

Ruben Tresols, also 14, added, “The biggest challenge was that from the very start, we were clueless. We had to figure it out from that point. But the longer we played, the more we understood the game and could help each other.”

Learning on the Fly

 

Even though the sport was a new concept, Australia's athletic culture shares similarities with flag football, providing a solid foundation for players. With sports like rugby, AFL, and Oztag, many skill sets are transferable. “Oztag is similar to flag football, but you have to pass backwards, so playing other sports in Australia helped us pick up flag football easier,” Matilda explained.

Coach Lowe, an avid NFL fan, found teaching the game to be a smooth process. “Our kids are elite athletes, and although they were new to the sport, they were eager to learn. The NFL was great at sending people to help us, and we used the NFL FLAG playbook,” he said.

One of the most appealing aspects of flag football is that it's a no-contact sport, meaning there isn't any tackling involved. Instead, to stop a play, players pull the ball carrier's flag. This no-contact rule makes the sport highly inclusive, allowing both boys and girls to play together—a feature that Lowe particularly appreciated. 

"The coed aspect of flag football has been fantastic. A lot of sports in Australia are contact sports, so boys and girls rarely play together. To see them enjoying the game and working as a team has been amazing," Lowe said.

Beyond the Competition

 

Team Australia kicked off the tournament with a strong start, winning their first two games, finishing 3-2, and advancing to the semifinals. Tournament games were broadcast live on ESPN, Disney Networks, and NFL+, including the International Championships, where Mexico triumphed over Canada.

 

“Being able to take a group of awesome kids across the world to experience a new culture and sport has been unreal,” Lowe reflected. 

 

 

Beyond the competition, the team’s time in Canton was marked by camaraderie with other international teams. Staying at Walsh University’s campus allowed players to bond and share their experiences. 

“Our kids have been mingling with other teams, and although language barriers exist, football is a common language,” Lowe said. The Australians also brought a piece of home with them, gifting small stuffed koalas and kangaroos to their competitors.

 

Reflecting on the experience, Ruben said, “The best part has been getting to know each different country. Having fun with others has been the most rewarding.” 

 

Matilda agreed, adding, “Celebrating with my team when we do something good has been amazing. We weren’t sure how we’d perform since we were new to the sport, but making it to the Championships was a great accomplishment.”

Looking Ahead

 

For Lowe and his team, the experience has been invaluable. “Coming here and seeing that a team that’s only been together for 10 weeks can compete at this level has really boosted the kids’ optimism. We plan to keep growing and, hopefully, represent Australia at the Olympics one day,” Lowe said.

The NFL’s efforts to grow flag football internationally are paying off, with teams like Australia proving that with determination and support, new players can quickly adapt and succeed on the world stage. As the sport continues to grow, more young athletes worldwide will have the chance to experience the excitement and camaraderie of flag football.

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