PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A group of local high schoolers is heading to California this week to compete in a USA National Junior Flag Football tournament.
The five Arizona players will play on the Boys and Girls 15U and 17U teams in a tournament that will be hosted from July 9-12 in Carson, Calif.
The U.S. teams will compete in the third annual Junior International Cup against teams from Japan, Canada, Panama and Mexico.
“It’s really not even like football. It’s a total different sport,” said Amos Augustine, team captain and returning gold medalist. “It’s way faster-paced and a longer game too, so you really have to be locked in mentally and physically during the game.”
USA Football held the Junior U.S. National Team Trials in March, where over 130 athletes competed to advance to the team training camp. At training camp, the teams were narrowed down from 18 to 12 active players and six alternates.
The rosters have athletes representing 18 states – Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
In October, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the addition of flag football for the 2028 Summer Games.
“The decision to add flag football to the 2028 Summer Olympic program in Los Angeles is an acknowledgment of the sport’s tremendous international growth and appeal as a fast, exciting and competitive sport,” said Scott Hallenbeck, CEO of USA Football. “We are incredibly thankful to the IOC and LA28 Organizing Committee for recognizing flag football as a sport worthy of inclusion in the Olympic Games, and we share our excitement and celebrate this historic occasion with the millions of flag football players across our country.”
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