Calabar 2024 Secondary School Flag Football Runners-Up Awarded ₦700,000, Await Governor Recognition
✨ Coach, Parents & Player Tips
Coach’s Clipboard: Start practice with a quick “silly nickname” round—each player names themselves and shares the story behind it; a couple minutes of laughter goes a long way in building trust and reminding everyone we’re in this together.
Postgame Parents: Next time you’re stuck in the carpool line, have your kid practice tossing a mini football off your sneaker laces—those grip-and-release reps everywhere turn into lightning-fast handoffs on game day!
Players Snap: Close practice in a no-BS circle—everyone declares one thing they’ll crush next time, so we stop coasting and start dominating as a squad.
🔎 Feature Story
🏅 Flag Football Champions Receive Cash Rewards, Await Governor’s Recognition
The Community Secondary Commercial School of Ibiaku Itam saw its male and female teams each awarded ₦700,000 after finishing as runners-up at the 2024 National School Flag Football Tournament in Calabar, highlighting the school’s rising profile in Nigeria’s fast-growing secondary school flag football circuit. The ceremony, attended by top state officials, promises to boost local sports development and calls for gubernatorial recognition to further encourage youth participation.
“She expressed gratitude to the President of the National Flag Football Association (NAFA), Babajide Akeredolu, for fulfilling his promise to reward the teams.”
🌍 Regional Roundup
Florida: The Florida High School Athletic Association has started its 2025–26 school year with official practice and tryout dates for fall sports, including football, and has released key forms and calendars for parents and student-athletes statewide.
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Oregon: A 10-under girls flag football team, the Oregon Lady Eagles, competed in the NFL’s invite-only Flag Championships in Canton, showcasing growth in girls youth flag football ahead of the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s new state championship.
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North Carolina: Guilford College will add women’s flag football as a varsity sport in 2026–27 while discontinuing women’s swimming this fall, reallocating resources to boost overall female athletic participation at the NCAA Division III school.
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Toledo, Ohio: The 7-and-under Dirty Birdz captured gold at the AAU Junior Olympics in Houston, reflecting growing youth flag football involvement in Northwest Ohio as the OHSAA prepares to sanction a girls state championship.
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⭐ Player Spotlight
Brysen Wright – Wide receiver, Jaguars Elite 14U flag football team. The 14-year-old went viral after his spectacular one-handed end-zone grab helped his squad win the boys NFL Flag Football Championships, earning nods from NFL stars like Odell Beckham Jr. and Patrick Mahomes.
“He just told me it was an awesome catch, but he really just told me more so if I needed anything he was there for me or if I needed any help with anything, he’ll help me,” Wright said.
📈 Flag Growth Focus
🔥 Collegiate Expansion in North Carolina
Guilford College will introduce women’s varsity flag football in 2026–27 while discontinuing women’s swimming, bringing its women’s sports roster to 12 teams. The move aligns with rapid NCAA growth—over 65 schools now sponsor the sport—and positions Guilford for the sport’s debut at the 2028 Olympics as it begins a national coach search.
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🏈 Oregon Girls Compete at NFL Canton Championships
The 10U Oregon Lady Eagles earned an invite-only spot at the NFL’s Flag Championships in Canton after winning the Indianapolis regional, showcasing the impact of newly established girls divisions. Head coach Gary Allen notes the IOC’s 2028 Olympic decision and state athletic additions have driven unprecedented youth participation and competition on ESPN’s stage.
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🏆 Junior Olympics Gold Propels Toledo Youth
The Toledo Dirty Birdz 7U squad captured AAU Junior Olympics gold in Houston, highlighting northwest Ohio’s booming youth flag football scene after back-to-back regional titles and an upcoming OHSAA girls state championship. Their TDECU Stadium victory underlines grassroots momentum fueling the sport’s expansion.
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⚡ FlagSnap Daily Blitz
The Bad Rabbits 14U girls flag football team, featuring players from Calexico and Mexicali, clinched the NFL Flag Football Championship in Canton, Ohio after winning the Las Vegas regional and rallying behind a coaches’ motivational speech.
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🏁 Final Whistle
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” — Muhammad Ali
