North America’s top athletes compete in Canada’s biggest adult flag football tournament yet
Flag football took center stage this weekend as South Surrey hosted the second annual British Columbia Adult Flag Football League (BCAFFL) championship at the South Surrey Athletic Park. With 41 teams hailing from across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, the tournament became the largest international adult flag football event ever held in Canada — a milestone for a league still under two years old.
Vice-president Derek Slavin expressed excitement over the massive turnout, noting the event’s success exceeded expectations. “We started this league at the end of 2023. To see it grow so fast is incredible,” he said, while watching the action unfold on Sunday, July 27.
Originally, 42 teams were set to participate, though one team had to bow out last minute. Still, the energy on the field remained high throughout the weekend. The inspiration for the league, Slavin shared, sparked the moment the International Olympic Committee announced the addition of flag football to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “That’s when the lightbulb went off,” he said. “We had to bring that format here.”
That lightbulb moment quickly turned into action. Slavin reached out to longtime friend and White Rock South Surrey Minor Football Association president Drew Kightley. “He was all in. We launched this together, and it wouldn’t have been possible without him,” said Slavin.
The adult league now boasts men’s, women’s, and co-ed teams, with players ranging from 18 to over 50. Both fall and spring seasons are open for athletes, and discussions are already underway to introduce a senior men’s division in the near future.
Support for the sport continues to grow, as does interest from communities across the province. As flag football gains momentum globally, BCAFFL’s role in shaping Canada’s competitive landscape is becoming impossible to ignore.
To learn more or join a team, visit bcaffl.ca.
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