Kew Primary School to compete at International NFL Flag Championships

Most students at a Melbourne primary school had never heard of flag football 12 months ago. Now they are preparing to represent Australia alongside American football’s biggest names.

Team Kew have qualified for the titles.

What started as an opportunity to miss a day of school has led to a sporting chance on American football’s biggest stage.

Students from Kew Primary School, in Melbourne’s inner east, have travelled to Orlando to compete at the International NFL Flag Championships this weekend.

The event will run alongside the NFL’s Pro Bowl Games, American football’s own all-star game.

Kew is Australia’s representative in the 13-team under-12 tournament which has brought together teams from all across the world.

The school qualified after winning the Flag Football National Championships on the Gold Coast last year.

It’s a remarkable achievement from a group of students who were only introduced to the sport early in 2024.

“At first I thought it could be a fun little thing where I could miss a day of school and play sport with my friends,” student Charli Mangano said.

“I didn’t think it would get this big. When I tried out, I didn’t realise how much fun it would be.”

The team is led by coach Matt Ross who introduced the sport into the program during PE lessons.

He said the NFL helped to supply the curriculum for the sport along with equipment making it accessible for all students.

And with flag football included in the LA Olympics for 2028, he’s expecting popularity to continue growing.

“It’s really catching on at Kew Primary,” Ross said.

“There’s a lot of siblings, seeing their older siblings (and they want to get involved.

“All of the parents have flown from Australia to come and watch. They’ve really brought in and are enjoying the adventure as well.”

The event in Florida will see Kew involved in at least three games on Saturday AEDT as they look to earn a place in the semi-finals.

If they progress to the final, they’d play the game as a curtain raiser to the NFL’s Pro Bowl main event.

Even once they return from America, some Kew students including Mangano, Harry Ingram and Lucia Wolff won’t be slowing down their involvement in the sport.

The trio have been named in the Victorian under-15 team for the national titles in March.

“Before Matt introduced it, I knew nothing about it,” Ingram said.

“But now, he’s got me really addicted to it. He’s shown me how much fun it is.”

Originally published as Kew Primary School to compete at International NFL Flag Championships