Mediterranean Soirt Village has hosted the 1st edition of the Dorado Bowl, a sporting event organised by Bart Iccarino, former American football player and organiser of the last three editions of the Champions Bowl, the European Flag Football final. The 2018 and 2019 editions were held in Futbol Salou and it was the first time in 10 years that the organisation repeated the event at the same venue.
After organising three Champions Bowl events, we wanted to create our own flag football event. This was the first edition of the Dorado Bowl, which consisted of 12 men’s and 4 women's teams from Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Finland, Sweden and England. It is also the first tournament in Europe to award a financial prize to the winner. The winning men's team (the Arctic Flamingos from Germany) and the winning women's team (the Sacks in the City) with players from Spain and the United Kingdom, each won 3,000 euros.
After the pandemic of the past two years, Bart Iccarino is very satisfied with the results of this first edition: "The reviews are positive, and we hope to continue growing in the future. In addition, we feel very well looked after at Mediterranean Sport Village. The sports facilities and the accommodation at Mediterranean Sport Village are among the best in Europe, offering us high-quality sports tourism in a great climate, two things that teams from northern Europe are very grateful for".
How to play flag football?
Flag football is a version of American football played without the American football characteristic of contact between players. In flag football tackling (downs) is not allowed, instead, flags are attached to the ballcarrier’s belt, one on each side of the waist. When a player manages to pull the flag from an opponent, the game stops and another play begins, just like when there is a tackle or a down in American football. The rules are almost the same, the only difference is that the physical contact is limited.
Flag football regulation in Europe is overseen by the IFAF (International Federation of American Football). Basically, the rules of the game are based on American football but with some differences. The objective is the same, there are four opportunities (up to 4 downs or pulling-off the flag), to cross the midfield. Once you cross the midfield there are 4 more opportunities to score a touchdown.
Types of flag football
There are different types of flag football. For example, in the United States players carry 3 flags: one to each side of the waist and one at the back. However, in Europe only two flags are worn, and it is played with 5 players like in five-a-side football, while in the United States it is played with 8, 9 or even 11 players.
According to Bart Iaccarino, playing 5-a-side in Europe is an advantage because it makes it easy for teams to find facilities like, for example, indoor football pitches. And this, in turn, it makes it easy for this minority sport to be known by more people and more teams can be created.
Besides, unlike most sports flag football allows mixed teams in tournaments. In the men’s league women can play and there is also a league only for women.
What is the origin of flag football?
Although there are previous records, flag football became popular in the 40’s in the United States military bases. Soldiers couldn’t risk getting injured playing American football. So, by replacing the tackling with the action of pulling a flag the game became safer and just as exciting.
The number of boys and girls between 6 and 12 years old that play flag football in the United States has increase by 38% in the last years, even surpassing the number of those playing American football. This data is from a study conducted by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, which studies youth participation in sports and that was spread by the New York Times in November 2018.
This growth is attributed to the growing concern about brain injuries and cognitive problems that American football tackles can have on boys and girls that are still growing.
Flag football on the road to the Olympics
Flag football is becoming popular and has the full support of the NFL, which is campaigning for flag football to be accepted as an Olympic sport at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. As a preliminary step, flag football has been granted entry to the 2022 World Games, to be held in Alabama from 7-17 July this year.
“In Spain there is a closed-mind in sports, everything is soccer. It is very difficult to introduce other sports, because there isn’t any support from institutions and sponsors. They prefer to invest in a third regional division team rather than in an emerging sport or in a children’s team. But, still, the Catalan league is strong; they are working with base teams very well. The Dragons influence has a lot to do” determines Iccarino.
