12 men, 12 women, 24 athletes with a dream…
The 2024 IFAF World Flag Football Championships take place in Lahti, Finland this August 25th-30th, and after their fantastic displays in last August’s European Championships, both the Men’s and Women’s Irish Wolfhounds Flag Football teams have qualified for the international tournament. The tournament will play out over the week at the Pajulahti Olympic and Paralympic Training Centre, a world-class athletic facility and campus.
With a high-level competition such as the IFAF World’s, though, come high-level costs. Flights, accommodation, board, officials fees, tournament fees and other costs associated with the competition unfortunately add up to a large bill, with estimates ranging upwards of €45,000.
The Irish Wolfhounds National Program and American Football Ireland, therefore, have started a GoFundMe to help bring our best Flag Football athletes to Finland to represent Ireland and put on the green jersey they have earned the right to wear. While AFI are searching for other funding options for our Wolfhounds, we believe there is a growing, passionate community in the Irish American football scene to help supplement athletes’ efforts to get to Lahti.
“The team have had a very strong winter and put in a huge amount of work, both in the gym and through meetings with their respective coordinators. On the field there has been a marked increase in the standard of play and the coaching staff feel the squad has a bright future,” said Men’s Irish Wolfhounds Flag Football Head Coach Diarmid Brown. “Competing with the best teams in the world of flag football will provide countless opportunities for growth amongst the team, and the domestic game as a whole within the coming years. The future of Flag Football in Ireland is extremely bright.”
Those looking to donate to the Wolfhounds’ efforts to get to the 2024 IFAF Flag Football Championships this August can click here.