It was an action-packed weekend at South Surrey Athletic Park as adult athletes gathered to compete in a growing sport: flag football. The British Columbia Adult Flag Football League (BCAFFL) held its second annual championship tournament with a large turnout of players and fans.
More than 40 teams came from all across Canada, the United States, and Mexico to play in what is now the biggest international adult flag football event ever held in Canada. Derek Slavin, vice-president of the BCAFFL, said the participation exceeded expectations, especially for a league that began less than two years ago.
“We’re only a year and a half old. We started at the end of 2023,” Slavin said during the tournament on Sunday, July 27. “This is now the largest international adult flag football tournament played on Canadian soil.”
Originally, 42 teams had registered for the event, but one had to pull out before the games started. Despite that, the energy and excitement remained high throughout the weekend as teams competed for the championship title.
The idea for the league and tournament came to Slavin shortly after the International Olympic Committee announced in 2023 that flag football would be added to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“When I heard that news, a light bulb went off in my head,” Slavin said. “I thought we needed to create something around that format, something exciting and inclusive.”
Slavin reached out to Drew Kightley, president of the White Rock South Surrey Minor Football Association, to help launch the league.
“Drew was on board right away,” Slavin said. “With his strong support, we were able to make it happen. We couldn’t have done this without him.”
The adult league now includes men’s, women’s, and co-ed divisions. Players range in age from 18 to over 50. The league runs both fall and spring seasons, offering athletes a chance to stay active and connected through the sport year-round.
There are also talks about adding a senior men’s division to support even more players.
“We’re already seeing huge interest and fast growth,” Slavin said. “The response from the community and players has been amazing.”
The South Surrey championship event not only showcased athletic talent but also helped build a sense of community. Families, friends, and sports fans filled the park to cheer for their teams. Food trucks, music, and sunny weather added to the festive atmosphere.
Slavin said the league’s mission goes beyond competition. It’s also about promoting fitness, teamwork, and the joy of the game. Many of the players have full-time jobs and families, but still make time to train and travel for these events.
For some, the chance to play in an Olympic-format sport adds extra motivation.
“With the Olympics coming, it inspires people. They want to be part of something bigger,” Slavin explained. “And we’re giving them a platform for that.”
The BCAFFL plans to return to South Surrey for future tournaments and hopes to keep expanding the reach of flag football in Canada.
“Our dream is to grow this into something truly national – maybe even global,” Slavin said. “We’re just getting started.”
As the final games wrapped up, players from all over North America left with smiles, sore muscles, and memories from a weekend that proved flag football is here to stay.
