The under-15 flag football team of the Royal Oaks Knights from Alcobendas will represent Spain at the NFL FLAG Championships in Indianapolis from July 24 to 26.
The under-15 flag football team of the Royal Oaks Knights from Alcobendas is already in Indianapolis to compete in the NFL FLAG Championships Presented by Toyota, an international competition organised by the NFL, taking place from July 24 to 26 at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.
The young athletes earned their spot by defeating Camioneros de Coslada in the final of the Spanish Championship in November. Now, under the name Leary Knights, they will face teams from Mexico, Brazil, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, China, Australia, New Zealand, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the United States, the host country.
The roster of the Spanish team mainly consists of players from the under-15 Spanish national team. Notable players include quarterbacks Álvaro Campos and Ariadna Mabanag; blitzer and safety José Martínez; cornerback Lía Romero; and receiver Mauro Sánchez. The list is completed by blitzers and cornerbacks Mara Álvarez and Arwa Darkal; wide receiver Tiago Romero; and centre Ángela Tarriba. The team captain is safety Bernardo 'Berni' Ruiz.
“The strongest teams in the world will participate in the competition, and we are aware of how difficult it will be to surprise them. But precisely for that reason, I believe it will be great for us; it’s impossible not to become stronger with that level of competition,” said Berni Ruiz, who is already in the United States.
The team's head coach, Diego Fernández del Rivero, emphasised the individual growth of the athletes “to work as a team” and the competitive attitude with which they approach the tournament.
“We don't go to any championship just to have fun. We go to a championship to win it, to compete at the highest level, to face something that will enrich us,” he pointed out.
The Royal Oaks Knights are the first American football team in Spain, founded in 1972 outside of US military bases. It is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting youth sports in Alcobendas through American football.
Participation in these championships marks a milestone for the Alcobendas club and for Spanish flag football, which continues to gain international presence. Sports fans in the Community of Madrid will be able to follow the team's progress during these days of competition in Indianapolis.
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