Yet Great Britain’s teams have not just been having a great time, they have been winning too. Schecter played on the women’s team that became European champions last August, then helped coach the Under-17 girls as they also became European champions in September.
There have been many obstacles for the current women’s team. Kate Bruinvels had to set up a crowdfunding page, external to raise the £750 she needed to compete in Ireland last summer.
Meanwhile, after discovering flag football at primary school, Kellie Barrett and her family formed their own club – the Coventry Cougars – so that she and her sister could keep playing.
But Loughborough College now offers 10 flag football scholarships for male and female athletes aged 16-19, and the British game is set for a funding boost before the World Championships in August, for which Great Britain’s women and men have qualified.
“We’ve been successful without that help – how successful can we be with it?” asked Britain captain Barrett.
“My hope is that we’re going through this hardship now, whereas any girls just starting to play won’t have that barrier. They won’t have to take on any financial burden.”
