History
Seven Years, Seven Cities, Three Continents, More Than 400 Champions
The 2007 FFWC will be held in the United States for the first time in New Orleans from August 7-10, featuring the national champions of ten nations spanning three continents: Canada, China, Europe (three teams), Japan, Korea, Mexico, Thailand and USA.
The annual NFL Flag Football World Championship (FFWC) was played for the seventh time in 2006 when the historic city of Cologne, Germany welcomed the prestigious NFL grassroots tournament.
Thailand’s Bangmod Wittaya Middle School retained the title won a year earlier in Beijing, China, by defeating Canada’s Ecole River Heights Middle School 45-32 in the championship game. The Fujitsu Junior Frontiers took third place for Japan by beating Pere Vives Vich of Igualada, Spain.
The FFWC first kicked off in Toronto in 2000, within the grounds of the famous Canadian National Exhibition. The Roo Boys of Australia overturned a 20-point halftime deficit in a thrilling final to defeat Japan and win the inaugural championship game.Ten ten-team format that has featured throughout the event’s history continued in Berlin, Germany, in 2001. An all-North American final saw the USA’s Runnymeade Eagles from New Jersey defeat Canada 33-21. Mexico claimed third place, edging out Australia by two points.
Mexico City staged the third tournament in 2002, which was won by the Imperial Valley Chargers (left) of San Diego, ensuring the USA kept its grip on the world title. The Chargers posted a 6-0 record and scored more than 300 points on the way to victory. Tomken Road School from Ontario was beaten in the final for a second straight year.
Beaten semi finalists the previous year, Los Diablitos from Mexico (right) won the 2003 title in Tokyo when Asia became the third continent to host the FFWC. The Mexicans beat Wa-Ryong Middle School from Korea to take gold in a curtain raiser to the NFL American Bowl between the New York Jets and Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thailand claimed third place and Australia came in fourth.
The USA returned to top spot in Vancouver in 2004 when the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center from Miami had too much firepower for Mexico’s Las Aguilas in a 48-17 victory in the city’s picturesque Stanley Park. Canada took bronze with a hard-fought win over Japan in a tournament that marked the participation of China for the first time. The Shou Shi Shi Yan Middle School claimed ninth place in the standings.
In 2005 Thailand’s Bangmod Wittaya Middle School defeated the defending US champions 25-19 in Beijing by stopping the Miami team on fourth down on the final play of a thrilling game. Las Aguilas from Monterrey, Mexico claimed third place with victory over Canada’s Tomken Road School.
The FFWC is about more than playing flag football. More than 400 youngsters have enjoyed the sights and different cultures of some of the world’s most exciting cities, visiting attractions such as the Great Wall of China, Niagara Falls and the Berlin Wall. The participants also learn to communicate and make friends despite language barriers and the tournament promotes sporting excellence among boys and girls. Five of the past seven championship games have featured co-ed teams, including reigning champion Thailand.