Regina flag football team ready to compete in third straight international competition

WATCH: A team of U15 boys from Regina are headed to Canton to represent Canada on the world stage.

It’s been a great year for the 15U Raiders flag football team, who’ve been cruising their way through the season and will soon be heading to the U.S. for an international competition.

Going 7-1 in the regular season, the only game they lost - was a forfeit due to a lack of players.

Players have different perspectives on how, and if they lose.

“I think our team is pretty good. So, I don’t know if we’ll lose,” said Xavier, a receiver with the team.

“We’re probably going to lose maybe once, but it’s going to happen eventually. We’re ready for that, though,” Kai, a receiver and defensive back said.

A lack of players won’t be a concern this week, as the team travels to represent Canada on the international stage.

Ten players and two coaches are heading to Ohio, the home of the pro football hall of fame, to compete against some of the top flag football teams in the world.

“Internationally, it’s a different competition every single year,” said Kymani, a defensive back and safety. “They have Puerto Rico that’s a really new team and we played against teams like Mexico before.”

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This is the third year in row that the Raiders have had the chance to compete internationally, going to Las Vegas in 2023 and Orlando in 2024.

“Week in and week out, through practices and just through game playing, the boys have just gotten better and better,” said Mike Thomas, the Raiders’ head coach. “The group has grown up together, developing chemistry throughout the years. “They’re really dialed in and really understand what we’re trying to do. So, what we’ve been able to focus on are just the finer points, just angles, viewpoints, releases all those things, and they’ve really come to accept that and grow and take in the coaching,”

Their competition includes teams from all over the world, representing countries like Australia, Brazil and China.

The tournament starts Thursday July 17, with the final game taking place on Sunday, July 20.