Flag football fun is coming to Mount Manganui’s Blake Park on Wednesday, April 2, with more than 16 schools from across the Bay of Plenty participating.

The competition for Years 5-13 students aims to grow their interest in flag football, manager of BOP Schools American Flag Football, Graham Whyte said.

“We have 16 schools registered.”

School children from Taumata School and Thomas Moore College, learning the skills required to play Flag Football.

Schools will send one or two teams, and Whyte had already visited them to review the game rules to familiarise the students with the sport.

Five years ago, a tournament of this size would not be possible, because rugby dominated the sporting zeitgeist, he said. “Flag Football is a summer sport, so it doesn’t compete.”

Introducing the sport to schoolchildren would allow those who might not want to go down the rugby or league path a potential pathway to another sport. “There is raw and really good football talent here,” he said.

The aim is to establish in the primary school system and eventually grow the sport into high school sports, Whyte said. “Our ultimate goal is regular competitions throughout all the schools in the country.”

Aotearoa has “untapped potential” for gridiron, and as the NFL expands, it’s only a matter of time before New Zealand produces its next big star, Whyte said.

The sport will appear at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, showcasing American football worldwide.

One of the complaints that some people have is that American football has too many rules, but the sport is quite simple to follow, Whyte said. “The rules are very simple when you break them down.”

Flag football is non-contact, with no tackling or helmets required for playing the game and a reduced risk of concussion, he said.

Flag football games will be played for most the day on April 2 at Blake Park, with spectators welcome.