History The annual NFL Flag Football World Championship (FFWC) was played for the sixth time when Beijing, China, welcomed the prestigious grassroots tournament in August 2005. Thailand’s Bangmod Wittaya Middle School (below)
defeated defending champion the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community
Center team from the United States 25-19 in the tournament final
and were crowned world champions. Las Aguilas from Monterrey, Mexico
claimed third place with victory over Canada’s Tomken Road
School
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 (below) 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 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 (above) 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. The FFWC is about more than playing flag football. More than 350 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. Four of the past six championship games have featured co-ed teams, including reigning champion Thailand.
The 2006 FFWC will be held at the Leichtathletik Stadion (above) in the historic cathedral city of Cologne, Germany, from August 22 to 26, featuring the national champions of ten nations spanning three continents: Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and USA.
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