「第５回にしのみや小学生フラッグフットボール大会」が行われるみたい。決勝戦は甲子園球場！！

Kwansei Gakuin University’s American football team, the Fighters, has once again secured a spot in this year’s Koshien Bowl.

This will be their fourth consecutive appearance and 53rd overall at the Koshien Bowl.

After they lost to the Ritsumeikan University Panthers in league play, I wondered what would happen, but they defeated Ritsumeikan in the representative team playoff and earned their place in the bowl.

Congratulations!!!

Now, Nishinomiya gets especially excited about American football around this time every year, but did you know that the “Nishinomiya Elementary School Flag Football Tournament” has also been held around the same time for the past five years?

Did you know about it?

1 What is “flag football”?
2 “Nishinomiya Elementary School Flag Football Tournament”
3 In Closing
4 Tournament Details

What is “flag football”?

It originated from American football, but instead of tackling, players pull flags attached to the opponent’s waist.

You might picture it as an even safer and more compact version of touch football.

Since it keeps the strategic nature of American football, it can be called a sport that uses even more brainpower.

Some of its key features are that “even people who aren’t good at sports can play an active role” and “teamwork is important because teams come up with strategies together.”

For these reasons, it has been introduced into elementary school education in recent years, and the sport is becoming more popular in Japan as well (of course, adults can enjoy it too).

For details on the rules, equipment, and more, please see the official website below↓

Japan Flag Football Association Official Website

“Nishinomiya Elementary School Flag Football Tournament”

This elementary school flag football tournament has also been held in Nishinomiya under the city’s sponsorship for the past five years.

This year, the preliminary round is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 7 at Nishinomiyahama.

Here are scenes from last year’s preliminary round↓

(Source: Nishinomiya Football Club)

This year, five teams will participate and play in a league format.

The top two teams will advance to the final, and the stage for the final on Sunday, December 15 is none other than Koshien Stadium!!

What’s more, it will be held before the Koshien Bowl, which decides the number one university team.

Here are scenes from last year’s final↓

(Source: Nishinomiya Style)

Last year’s final was “Uegahara Thunder Dragons” vs. “Danjyo FC,” and after a very close match, “Uegahara Thunder Dragons” won their second consecutive championship.

This year, “Uegahara Thunder Dragons” will be fighting for a third straight title, but which teams will make it to the final?

I hope every team gives it their all.

In Closing

This tournament marks its fifth edition this year, but it seems the number of participating teams has remained at five from the first year through this year.

Applications can be made by elementary school, so if you are involved with an elementary school or local education and are interested, why not go take a look?

Both the preliminary round and the final can be watched for free.