Table of Contents
- 0.1 In flag football, the opponent is not knocked to the ground
- 0.2 At a high level, the sport can quickly add up
- 0.3 2028 is Flag Football Olympic
- 1 Given that funding is a challenge for many flag football clubs, what specific strategies or initiatives has the Augsburg Lions implemented to secure resources and ensure the team’s financial sustainability?
70,000 spectators sit in the stands of the Munich Allianz Arena. Sold out house. The football stars of the American professional league compete on the pitch, and footballers, musicians and entertainers meet off the pitch. In the middle of it all, the flag footballers of the Augsburg Lions are waiting to make their appearance.
The instruction of the NFL was actually that the players should wear tracksuits. However, the young team doesn’t have that yet, so the Lions are waiting in sweaters for the first quarter break. When the time comes, everything has to happen very quickly. They have just under two minutes to come to the square, receive the check, have a photo taken and disappear again. But the schedule fails. The photo isn’t completely taken before they’re sent off again. Only in the tunnel does the representative of Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB) hand them the check. In one fell swoop there are 2,500 euros more in the team’s coffers.
In flag football, the opponent is not knocked to the ground
“We are really happy about the money,” says Lions coach Paul Primps on a side court at DJK Augsburg-West while his team trains behind him. “But it was a crazy situation the way it all happened.” Since Primps and his FLINTA team of women and everyone who doesn’t identify as men won the German championship title straight away, they had the honor and the money in the home of the FC Bayern to receive. “It was a good opportunity to network and exchange ideas with others,” says youth leader Dustin Altmann. In parallel to the Lions, the U-15 national team, as reigning European champions, received a further 5,000 euros.
In the comparatively young one Sport That’s a lot and a little money at the same time. A lot, because the sport is actually quite cheap. A pair of cleats, a pair of gloves – that’s all you need to play contactless flag football. In comparison to the full contact variant, the players do not have to pull the ball carrier to the ground, but rather pull one of the two flags from his belt. This saves on protective equipment. But it sounds easier than it is. Flag football players are fast, agile and use sophisticated deceptive maneuvers in their moves.
At a high level, the sport can quickly add up
Primps and Altmann used to play standard tackle football. They have since fallen in love with flag football, which is denigrated as a “girls’ sport.” “There are fewer rules, fewer interruptions, fewer injuries and a lot more plays, long passes and cool actions,” says Primps. “It’s like the continuous highlight version of American football.”
If you’re at a level as high as the Augsburg Lions, the sport can quickly cost money, even if it doesn’t actually cost much. The travel costs in particular are expensive. Last year a Lions team was at the Champions Bowl in Croatia. The three-day tournament with 16 players cost 7,400 euros. This cannot be financed through the membership fee of 12 euros per month. “We then decided to see the whole thing more as a fun tournament,” says Dustin Altmann. “If you wanted to take part, you had to pay for it yourself, so we scaled back our ambitions a little.”
2028 is Flag Football Olympic
As quickly as the Lions develop, so does the entire sport. When the flag football department of the then Augsburg Raptors spun off in 2022, there were only around 50 flag football clubs in all of Germany. There are now almost three times as many. The first teams have also been formed in rural areas. This is mainly due to the fact that the sport will be Olympic in 2028. “Anyone who is fast today and has good athleticism has the opportunity to be there in Los Angeles,” says Paul Primps.
Four Lions players have already made it to the senior national team. To ensure that Augsburg is still a location for the masses, Altmann and Primps want to open a second FLINTA team. The DKB donation will also be spent on this: “We want to use the money to broaden our structure,” says Altmann. There are currently three youth teams: U11, U13 and U16. As soon as these girls and boys are old enough, there could be so many clubs that travel distances are significantly shorter. Then the prize money could perhaps also be spent on a first set of tracksuits.
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Given that funding is a challenge for many flag football clubs, what specific strategies or initiatives has the Augsburg Lions implemented to secure resources and ensure the team’s financial sustainability?
## Interview with Augsburg Lions Flag Football Team
**Guests:**
* **Paul Primps:** Coach of the Augsburg Lions FLINTA flag football team.
* **Dustin Altmann:** Youth Leader of the Augsburg Lions flag football team.
**Introduction:**
Welcome Paul and Dustin, thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to discuss the Augsburg Lions’ recent success and explore the growing world of flag football.
**Section 1: Flag Football’s Growth and Evolution**
* You mentioned that flag football used to be considered a “girls’ sport”. How have perceptions of the sport changed, and what has contributed to its increasing popularity?
* How has the growth of flag football impacted the Augsburg Lions organization? What are some of the challenges and opportunities this growth brings?
**Section 2: The Augsburg Lions experience**
* Your team had a unique experience being recognized at the Allianz Arena during an NFL game. Can you describe the emotions and logistics of that event, and how it impacted the team?
* The article mentioned that funding can be a challenge for flag football clubs, especially when they travel to tournaments. How do the Augsburg Lions manage their finances and balance competitive ambition with financial realities?
**Section 3: Looking Ahead: The Future of Flag Football**
* With flag football becoming an Olympic sport in 2028, what impact do you anticipate this will have on the sport, particularly at the grassroots level?
* How are you encouraging young athletes to join the Augsburg Lions, and what message do you have for anyone interested in trying flag football?
**Section 4: Closing Thoughts**
* What are your hopes and aspirations for the future of the Augsburg Lions and flag football in general?
* What advice would you give to other communities looking to start their own flag football teams?
**Thank you:**
Thank you, Paul and Dustin, for sharing your insights and passion for flag football. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
