In the Mediterranean Sport Village, not only football is played. We also have the honor of receiving such incipient and original sports such as pesapällo or flag football, a form of American football that is played by reducing physical contact between the teams. We will tell you!
The 2nd edition of the “El Dorado Bowl” tournament arrives at the Mediterranean Sport Village
Bart Iaccarino is a former American football player and organizer of the El Dorado Bowl tournament that has held its second edition at our facilities. A second successful edition with an increase in the registered teams, both in the men's and women's competition.
“Little by little we are growing. In Europe there are many flag football tournaments and it is difficult to make a name for yourself. But we are the only tournament that has a cash prize, which has a greater incentive for the participating teams”, says Iccarino.
Do you want to know what flag football is and how to play it? We tell you quickly and simply here.
When organizing an international tournament, many logistical, qualitative and quantitative factors must be taken into account to make it a success. At Mediterranean Sport Village we have everything an international tournament needs and Bart Iaccarino knows it very well:
“As always, the facilities are the best you can ask for. Both the Resort where the athletes stay, and the fields where the tournament is played. The treatment we receive at the Mediterranean Sport Village is spectacular and that is something that organizers and teams perceive, and it makes all of them want to repeat the experience”.
Flag football, present and future
Asked about the current situation of flag football in Spain and Europe, and about the challenges to consolidate it as a sport in all countries, Bart Iaccarino answers:
“In Europe, flag football is growing a lot, as well as in the rest of the world. I think we'll be able to see it at the next Olympic Games. It would be a huge hit for everyone if that ends up happening! In Spain we still have a lot of work to do in the development of flag football, but we are working to align ourselves with the rest of the countries, especially the Nordic countries”.
Women's flag football
The second edition of the El Dorado Bowl has featured 6 women's teams, two more than the previous edition. However, Bart Iaccarino regrets that the promotional work to help grow this sport among the female categories is not reaping the rewards of this effort, at least for now:
“Women's flag football is not growing as we expected. But not only in our tournament, it´s a general situation throughout Spain. A lot of promotion and dissemination is needed for people to know this new sport with great values. I am sure that if people knew more about this sport, it would grow much more."
An incipient sport with great values
When you attend a flag football tournament as a spectator, it is common to see members of the same family and friends participate in the tournament, each in their category. In the air there is an atmosphere of brotherhood and sportsmanship among all the teams that, moreover, is easily contagious. A feeling very similar to the one you have in Rugby (link to post) or American football games. Asked about the intrinsic values of flag football, Bart Iaccarino assures:
“It is something that belongs to our DNA. Mutual respect, the desire to have a good time, camaraderie and healthy competitiveness, because in the end this is a sport where everyone wants to win, this comes from the depths of our convictions and how we want to enjoy this sport”.
From Mediterranean Sport Village it has been a pleasure to have been able to enjoy El Dorado Bowl. We wish him and the sport the best for present and future challenges.
