WORLD CUP 2004

Women’s flag football – “The girls are catching up with the men through sport again”

This year’s Team USA women were created from Raw Talent and Gators both from the state of Florida. Before the event started I doubt whether anyone would have seen them get to the finals let alone beat an experienced Canadian side full of skill and pace. Well they did and have placed their names in the history book as the first female USA team to win the World Cup of flag football. Now people can claim that the Mexican team was not present at the event but does that matter really, not so, isn’t this the same Mexican team that lost for the first time at the New Orleans College Nationals (2003) and also lost in the Canadian Challenge. Nobody but the coaches and the players of the USA team can claim all the credit for this achievement of which they deserve to hold their heads high for at least a year. Looking back at their progression throughout the event, they won that championship with ease. Focusing on the World Cup Open Invitational event and again no Mexican women’s team we were embraced by one of the most experienced flag football teams in the USA the Stingrays, FL led by veteran QB Anita Marks. The Stingrays known and respected for achieving what no other female team could do beating the famous Mexico women in the Open tournament for the first time in our 2003 event. They were clearly seen as the favorites for the 4 & 7man 2004 World Cup Open titles with the same squad still together since last year. The Stingrays team play in many tournaments in between their tackle season and should we say never lost until the 2004 USFTL nationals. Surprisingly, the Stingrays also lost both in the 4man finals to a well organized Raw Talent team and to the Canadian Fleur De Lys in the 7man the 2004 IFFF World Open championship. Regardless of what people say the Stingrays are definitely ambassadors of the sport in our book as they relentlessly represent women in tournaments across the nation? However, similar to the Mexican’s they seem to be losing grip of their dominance whilst everyone else appears to be improving and catching up.

One thing for sure is that female flag football sector is growing and they are improving their game tournament by tournament. It is totally enjoyable watching girl’s play a game dominated by the male species with so much passion, illustrating their knowledge of the game in such as skillful and tactical mannerism. So how is it that not one major organization (but Flagmag) has recognized the talent and enthusiasm the female sex is showing for this sport? Good question, one I would feel not very happy asking again if someone doesn’t step up and take charge to support and develop this no-contact sport for women all over the world, something Flagmag has been solely doing for five years. The women’s game has never been recognized by sporting bodies around the world and these girls deserve support from a big corporation, for example the women in Canada are perceived to plat flag football as a primary sport. In Venezuela, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Europe and the big three of course (USA, Canada & Mexico) the programs are growing and they are all getting better. FlagMag.com has continuously promoted female flag football and the teams participate in most of its events, the organization shall continue to to play the role by offering them more quality tournaments for as long as it take to get the sport globally recognized. Once again it a pleasure to have had all the female participants that made the effort to participate in our event and a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Team USA women and their coaching staff for their achievement.

See below for Team USA women's roster and team photo

Team USA Nominations

Mens Roster
Head Coach-
Craig Miller-Pompano Beach FL-Alpha Omega

1. Jim Wilson-Londonderry,NH-WR-Alliance
2. Lance Batan-San Diego,CA-DL-Swarm
3. James Mayo-Wash DC-DB-Cutters
4. Scott Tucker-Houston,TX-WR-Heat
5. Adam Backman-Houston,TX-DB-Hear
6. Pat Connolly-LA,CA-QB-Taco Surf
7. Claude Lockhart-Colorado Springs,CO-WR/QB-Dream Team
8. Brian Bear-Pompano Beach,FL-Alpha Omega
9. Isiah Heridea-Miami,FL-DB-Raw Talent
10. Sam McNeel-Newport,NH-WR/RB-Red Dawgs
11. John Hawff-Newport,NH-WR/DB-Red Dawgs
12. Phil Leone-Miami,FL-QB-Ride
13 John Wetmore-Manchester,NH-WR/DB-Rage
14.Kenneth Authier -Colorado Springs,CO-DB-Dream Team
15.Robert Kerfoot Colorado Springs,CO-OL-Dream Team
16.Adam W. DeSanctis-Billerica,MA-LB-Alliance
17.Nick Odom-Boston,MA-WR-Panthers
18.Brian Blackman-Boston,MA-WR-Panthers
19.Johnny Morant-Boston,MA-LB-Panthers
20. Dave Millville-Laconia,NH-OL-Dream Team