By Lydia Jane Allison
NFL Flag France National Championship Winners Will Travel to Compete in the United States in 2024
PARIS – Nov. 13, 2023 – The National Football League (NFL) and the Fédération Française de Football Américain (FFFA) have announced a collaboration to launch the first-ever youth NFL Flag program in France.
NFL Flag is the official flag football program of the NFL – working to bring the non-contact version of American football, played by both boys and girls, worldwide. Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports globally and is fun, exciting and accessible for all, with women and girls driving some of the fastest growth in the sport.
To kick off the partnership, NFL Flag and FFFA will work together to host the NFL Flag France National Championship – a tournament which will see 12 teams from across the country take the field on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris.
The launch of NFL Flag programming in France follows flag football’s official inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games program – confirmed on Oct. 16 and driven by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) with support from the league.
“Continuing to accelerate the development and growth of flag football across the globe is a significant priority for the NFL,” said Afia Law, NFL Flag International. “As one of the most accessible sports in the world, we’re thrilled to work with FFFA to offer young athletes the opportunity to play the game – especially here in Paris, on a global stage. We’re looking forward to welcoming the winning team to the Pro Bowl Games in the U.S. in February.”
The teams participating in the NFL Flag tournament in France will include groups of 10 young boys and girls under 12-years-old, aiming to foster the future of flag football throughout the country and establish a connection between the sport and future generations.
“This event, in collaboration with the NFL, is a great opportunity to accelerate the development of youth flag football across the entire region,” said Brigitte Schleifer, president of FFFA. “The winning team will have the chance to go to the Pro Bowl Games and compete against teams from other nations! We’re excited to discover the young talent, both girls and boys, from our communities in the beautiful Jean Bouin stadium.”
The tournament champions will represent France in Orlando, Florida as they participate in the NFL Flag International Division at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in February.
The delivery of NFL Flag in France follows successfully implemented programs in 12 countries including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Ghana, Brazil and more.
For more information, follow @NFLFrance on Instagram and Twitter.
About NFL Flag
NFL Flag – the official flag football program of the National Football League – is active across 13 international markets outside of the United States. Flag football is fun, exciting, and accessible for all; with women and girls driving some of the fastest growth in the sport.
The game provides a structured opportunity for youth to play the non-contact version of American football while discovering the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and friendship both on and off the field. To find out more about NFL Flag, please visit here.
About Fédération Française de Football Américain (FFFA)
Since 1983, the Fédération Française de Football Américain (FFFA) has been responsible for promoting, developing, and regulating American football, flag football, and cheerleading in France. The FFFA has 29,000 registered members in the 2022-2023 season, thanks to the daily efforts of hundreds of volunteers, referees, officials, and players within more than 225 affiliated associations. They achieved victory at the World Games in 2017 and became European champions in American football in 2018. In 2019, they earned a medal at the European Flag Football Championship and a bronze medal in Cheerleading at the 2022 World Championship, showcasing France’s significant presence in the global sports arena.
COURTESY NFL COMMUNICATIONS
