Wales schools to compete in NFL Flag UK Championships
Ysgol Gwynedd in Flint and Prestatyn High School will represent Wales at the UK NFL Flag 2025 National Championships in Leeds on Tuesday, June 17.
The schools secured their places by winning their age categories at the Welsh NFL Flag National Championships, held on May 6 at Cardiff Metropolitan University.Prestatyn High School one the 15U Girls' tournament (Image: NFL)
Ysgol Gwynedd triumphed in the 11U Mixed division, while Prestatyn High School won the 15U Girls' tournament.
Dr Chris Long, NFL head of youth football and grassroots development, said: "Thank you to all the schools from across Wales who have competed in this year's championship, and its preceding qualifiers.
"We are so pleased to see more and more people of all ages playing NFL Flag, some coming back year after year and developing their game, some getting their first taste of American football.
"We look forward to welcoming all our champion teams in Leeds later this month."
A record 480 schools entered this year's UK competition, with 28 teams now set to compete for national honours.NFL Flag Wales National Championships at Cardiff Metropolitan University (Image: NFL)
Among them are Mary Immaculate High School, who took the 13U Mixed title alongside Ysgol Gwynedd and Prestatyn High School as Wales' three national champions.
NFL Flag is the league's official non-contact football programme and has rapidly gained popularity in the UK since launching in 2017.
More than 120,000 people now play across 1,000 schools.
Flag football is set to debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
It is played by more than 20 million people in over 100 countries.
The sport is non-contact, fast-paced, and emphasises inclusivity—making it accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
Female participation is especially strong, with the 15U Girls category among the fastest-growing divisions.
The International Federation of American Football and the NFL continue to invest in the sport's development from grassroots to elite levels.
The format's growing popularity reflects a global rise in interest, driven by its simplicity and emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and athleticism.
With their recent victories, Ysgol Gwynedd and Prestatyn High School have already demonstrated that Welsh schools are competitive on a national level.
Their achievements have also helped raise the profile of the sport in North Wales, encouraging more young people to get involved.
For more information about the NFL Flag programme or how to participate, visit www.nfl.com/uk/nfl-flag.
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