The National Football League and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) hosted a flag football coach education and officiating clinic in Accra, Ghana from April 11-13 as part of the strategy to accelerate the development and growth of the game across the continent.
The three-day flag football clinic welcomed coaches and officials from 10 African countries, namely, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda who were joined by leaders from the global flag community to support learning and education.
50 participants received both classroom and on-field learning, as the clinic looked to improve the skills of new and experienced coaches and officials, helping to promote and enable further long-term flag football engagement and participation across the continent.
Expert coaches delivering the sessions included:
Chris Curd: founder and commissioner of the Pittsburgh flag football league, with more than 16 years of experience in league operations.
Mike Daniels: accomplished football coach and NFL senior consultant for football development.
Fouzia Madhouni: head coach of Morocco’s Women’s flag football team and NFL & IFAF Global Flag Ambassador.
Max von Garnier: German coach, leader of NFL Flag schools’ program in Germany and former NFL Europe player.
Cédric Castaing: international flag football referee and national coordinator for flag football officials in France.
The weekend’s activities were also supported by NFL Flag and IFAF coaches.
Fast-paced and accessible for all, flag football is spearheading extraordinary participation growth worldwide with more than 20 million players in 100 countries and women and girls driving some of the sports’ largest growth. Since 2023, participation in flag football in Africa has surged, with Egypt and Nigeria seeing increases of 149% and 85% respectively. In Nigeria, the national federation’s outreach program has already engaged more than 13,000 young people, highlighting the sport’s expanding reach and appeal.
“The NFL and IFAF are committed to continuing to develop and grow the game of flag football in Africa,” said Vice President, Flag Football at the NFL Stephanie Kwok. “Creating meaningful educational pathways for coaches and officials delivering flag across Africa is a critical part of the game at every level on the continent. The coach education and officiating clinic will create a powerful legacy for both the elite and grassroots levels of the game, as we build to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and beyond.”
“This clinic marks another crucial step in promoting the growth of flag football across Africa,” said IFAF Sport Manager Lars Carlsen. “By investing in the education and development of coaches and officials, we’re focused on developing strong local foundations that will support the game’s continued expansion. Working hand in hand with our partners at the NFL, IFAF is committed to empowering the next generation of coaches, officials, and athletes, building a sustainable future for flag football across the region.”
Flag football will officially be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games program, led by efforts of IFAF and supported by the NFL.
As part of the NFL Africa program, the NFL has undertaken NFL Flag development, talent identification camps, and fan events across Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria since 2022.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/BENJAMIN YAMOAH
