Women’s flag football debut could be catalyst for growth – JAFA director

DIRECTOR OF football at the Jamaica American Football Association (JAFA), Roger Salmon, said after an outstanding debut performance by the national women’s team at the Kelly McGillis Classic in Florida recently, he is expecting similarly high quality exploits from the men who are looking to make their first international appearance later this year as well.

In their first international competition, Jamaica’s women made it to the semi-finals, ending the tournament with two wins, a loss and a draw, to finish third overall and first in the international category.

Salmon revealed that the teams have been getting a number of invitations for overseas tournaments and is looking at an international friendly against the Bahamas in August for the men’s introduction to the international game.

This will be followed by an invitational tournament in the United States in December, even though there are administrative issues to sort out and financial support needed to make the US trip possible.

Salmon said if the men do get the opportunity to participate, there is optimism they will be just as impressive as their female counterparts.

“We have got invitations to participate overseas but because of lack of resources and funding, we were unable to.

“We still have invitations and Bahamas want us to come in August to play an international friendly.

“Then in December, the aim is to go to the US. They have some sanctioned leagues there that we have been invited to.

“We will just have to work on visas for some of the players and try to get some sponsorship. If the sponsorship comes through, then we will be fielding a team at one of the US tournaments,” he said.

Although the sport continues to grow locally, there are only four club teams from which to select players and not many more high school teams.

Nevertheless, Salmon believes the players involved have progressed through the limited system very well and he is confident in their ability to compete at the highest level.

“We have had most of these guys from the high school level, from as early as age 14, 15. So these are players who have played our high school and club league and have some four years of experience under their belts.

“Now we want to take them to the next level by getting them international exposure and I suspect that they will do just as well too,” he said.

He noted that plans are also ongoing to host an international tournament in November but that the organisation is in great need of sponsorship if the association is to make it a reality.

JAFA also wants to establish more partnerships with overseas colleges in order to create more opportunities for local players.

“The president of the association is looking to hold a tournament sometime this year. That is something that we are looking on in terms of setting a date in November. So we are currently putting that project together and seeking sponsorship,” he said.

“Some years ago, through one of our development camps, we had one person who obtained a scholarship to a college in Canada and we are looking to have more partnerships to give more players that opportunity,” he said.

He added that the sport also provides a good base for those who might get the opportunity to transition into the National Football League (NFL).

“There are great similarities in both. So if a player switches from flag football to tackle football there is not much more they will have to learn. The only thing they will have to learn is how to tackle. But most of the fundamentals that apply to tackle football can be applied to flag football as well,” he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com