The International Women’s Flag Football Association (IWFFA) is here in Ada, on the behest of Professor: Russ Crawford, to bring women’s flag football to ONU, inviting women from other states and countries to compete in the competition.
The IWFFA- ONU women’s flag football tournament, takes place May 4 – 5 @ Dial-Roberson Stadium and is sponsored by: ONU, Wilson, IWFFA and The Inn Hotel. The event is FREE, Female students at ONU are invited to join practices offered each night at the Rugby field from 6-8PM starting Friday, April 26 till May 3. Then it’s tournament time! Women do not have to attend all the practices, however it is encouraged to join at least two.Teams of women can sign up their own team to play, and other ONU sports team such as: Basketball, softball, volleyball, swimming, lacrosse, etc. are challenged to sign up their team in order to create a: ” ONU WOMEN’S BATTLE OF TEAM SPORTS“, using flag football as the decider : )
The tournament is more than flag football games, and includes fun half time games (tug a war, wheel barrel, sprint, piggy back races, furthest throw, longest kick, etc. with prizes to the winners. There will be social events and a party Saturday night (TBD). Tournament teams receives awards with special recognition to Most Valuable Players and All Stars. Ms. Beruldsen explains: ” The IWFFA is a woman’s organization whose goal is to unite women all over the world, teach leadership skills using flag football as it’s vehicle. We want to build female leaders to have female influence in world affairs and one day peace. The tournament is also meant for female athletes to have fun and make new friends. Girls ages 8 – 11, Juniors ages 12-15 are also invited to join the practices and tournament.Men are encouraged to support the event by either: coaching, officiating, announcing, or help in any way.
Sign up information is below.
This 8 on 8, semi-contact flag football style is as close to NFL football without tackle, helmets or shoulder pads. Flag football thru the IWFFA went international in 1997, from the accomplishment of Diane Beruldsen, President & Founder of the organization. The IWFFA introduced the sport internationally in: Denmark (1997), Norway (1998), Sweden and Iceland (2000), El Salvador and Guatemala (2011), Cuba (2015), Afghanistan (2018),Guam (2023), Pakistan and New Zealand (2024).Before then, from 1995 – 2000, the IWFFA had traveled across the USA, helping to develop leagues and teams and growing the sport. In 2001, the largest women’s flag football tournament in the world was played in Key West, Florida at the Kelly McGillis Classic International Women’s Flag Football Championships with 48 women teams, which included 9 international teams and 1,243 female athletes.
Diane Beruldsen will be in Ada promoting flag football offering in elementary, junior, high schools and here at ONU to teach and organize girls and women’s teams to compete in the May 4-5th tournament.
Ms. Beruldsen will also speak at several events during her stay here at ONU
Contact for information, to join or to help is:
Diane Beruldsen (305) 896 – 8678
IWFFA@IWFFA.COM
“This tournament is a wonderful opportunity to offer a different kind of sports challenge and unity among all of the female athletes.”