2024 U12 flag football national championships: Top players named as Kew Primary School win Florida ticket
Emotions ran high as Kew Primary School were crowned flag football national champions. Discover every team’s top performers who could be on the path to Olympic glory.
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There were emotional scenes at RACV Royal Pines Resort as Kew Primary School won the coveted ticket to Orlando, Florida to compete at the under-12 flag football world championships.
Kew were dominant in the final, recovering after conceding the first touchdown to defeat Tasmania’s Howrah Primary School 30-8.
Given the Tassie side only had to come out on top of three other schools at their state championships to reach nationals, even they surpassed their own expectations on the day.
Kew coach and self-professed NFL fanatic Matthew Ross was reduced to tears after the match as his students realised their American dreams would become a reality.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, for them to go to America now ... I think it’ll sink in in the next few days that we’re off to America and it’s something they’ll never forget,” Ross said.
“I’m so proud of them and excited, I love this sport and we’ll be coming back next year.
“Something went wrong in the first second of the game, we gave away two points, (but) throughout the day, the kids stayed positive, we said from the start defence would win it and the second intercept set them up.
AFL star turned NFL punter Saverio Rocca, fellow Aussie NFL punter Ben Graham, and former NFL stars Marshawn ‘Beastmode’ Lynch and Alvin Bowen were all in attendance to witness Kew’s triumph.
It was the first time a school outside of Queensland had been crowned under-12 national champions, with the Gold Coast’s Varsity College taking out the first two installments of the tournament.
The lure of an American trip has seen the sport surpass the popularity of traditional Aussie sporting codes in primary schools across the country, while it was revealed that the NFL is targeting flag football’s Olympic inclusion at the Brisbane Olympics.
Flag football is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Discover all the top performers from Friday’s national championships, as well as every school’s placing below.
Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School (NT)
Quincy Carter
Reads the ball fantastically on the ground or in the air, was also getting interceptions and closing down the opposition running game.
Celeste Franz-Hoobin
The running back is a dual threat and can run or catch. Also has a quick turn of pace.
Tahlen Bradley
A good aerial threat whose short to medium long passes, can also go for great runs.
Djarragun College (NQ)
Tristan Mays Neal
Was likened by his coach to Usain Bolt, every time he found space on the edge he was away and scored some great touchdowns as a result.
Zephy Atu Sam
Was loud and brought crucial energy and passion to the side.
Shantika Kingsburra
Was a super fast runner who ran some great routes and scored a nice touchdown.
Eric Gordon
Scored a touchdown and his celebrations were off the charts.
Ormeau State School (SQ)
Jack Byrnes
Was one of the leading scorers across the championships, had a really good day at running back and managed several full-field touchdowns. His side-to-side movement proved potent.
Atu Sinipata
Played a bit of everything, from wide receiver, to quarter back, to running back. Threw some touchdowns and managed lots of tags on defence too.
Johnas Pakinga-Clark
the safety was a solid defender who provided lots of tags and interceptions.
Lukas Cash
The defender blocked well and was solid. Also managed some great tags and interceptions.
Lindisfarne Anglican School (NNSW)
Xavier Mundy
Played defence and tagged well all day.
Harvey Johnstone
The defender pulled off some great interceptions across the day.
Lucia Juric
Made lots of tags and the opposition attackers had a tough time getting past her.
St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School Woolooware (NSW)
Kai Pistilli
The quarter back was also the captain of his side and threw some great passes.
Sia Owsnett
An exceptional talent, Sia shone for her side at running back and was rewarded with tournament MVP honours.
Howrah Primary School (TAS)
Tex Daly
The wide receiver scored most of his side’s touchdowns en route to the final and also snagged two intercepts as a safety.
Macy Fitz
the centre scored plenty and pulled off her fair share of catches too.
Cooper Wells
The cornerback was a great lockdown defender and executed his role superbly.
Kidman Park Primary School (SA)
Paige Schroeder
The safety was reading the play well and also getting interceptions. Helped lift her teammates and the spirits of each player.
Alex Kouts
Scored a touchdown against Djarragun College and assumed the role of offensive co-ordinator her school. Was great at picking the right plays each time.
Billy Dumanovic
Had great agility, scored touchdowns and was a team player. His workrate at running back was off the charts.
Daniel Lennon
The wide receiver was creative and made some really big plays.
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School (ACT)
Blake Lane
The quarterback dictated play well, threw some good long balls and his pass selection was impressive.
Zach Dyska
The wide receiver made plenty of great touchdown catches to cap off his strong performance.
Izzy McAskill
The safety made some great tags, scored a good touchdown and used her height well.
Mason Maiuto
A solid rood running back, he was good at catching and always provided an option for his quarterback.
Herne Hill Primary School (WA)
Audrey Hill
Provided some impressive defence for her side and read the play really well.
Nathaniel Hauraki
The defender managed some really good intercepts, and also stepped up and had a crack in the offence and went really well.
Fletcher Taylor
The quarterback made some awesome passes and was reading the tough plays. Jumped onto defence and managed to pull some flags.
Nathan Lawrie
Played really well at wide receiver and running back but was mainly a defender.
Kew Primary School (VIC)
Ollie Horne
Kept control of the game really well, got some great interceptions that led to touchdowns.
Lucia Wolff
Was simply magnificent in defence for her side.
Miles Brouwer
Produced some clutch plays and held his nerve in the final.
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