Their names are Aïcha, Ruben or Adam. With their seven other friends, they make up the Paris Dragons under-13 team, nicknamed the Gavroches. And for a week, they lived the American dream. Thanks to their victory during the national tournament organized at Insep, they won their ticket for the NFL Flag International Championship U 13.
A true World Championship for under-13 flag football, this discipline derived from American football which will be included in the Olympic program for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, this competition allowed the Parisian team to compete against the best teams in the world.
The matches took place over three days in Oakland with a more than positive outcome for the two coaches Yassine Khalfane and Tarek Saleh. By qualifying for the quarter-finals, the Parisians did as well as the Caïmans du Mans, who had represented France in the last two editions in Orlando. Better still, by securing 8th place (out of 14 teams), they rank 2nd among European teams.
“It’s a waking dream for them,” relishes Fatima Mardi, the president of the Dragons de Paris on which the Gavroches depend. We boarded our plane last Friday and had an incredible week. We return this Thursday with stars in our eyes and memories forever engraved in our heads. For many of our children, it was the first time they set foot on American soil, the home of American football. »
In this holy week for US football fans with the Super Bowl final this Sunday between Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the Gavroches de Paris were able to live in the shoes of American football pros, whose flag football is a related but non-contact discipline.
This characteristic thus allows diversity. “In every match, you need at least one girl on the pitch,” explains the president of Les Gavroches. We took a group of 10 people and there were two girls, Aïcha and Charlise. Most are from Paris or the Paris region. We also have one who comes from Chartres (Eure-et-Loir). In the Panama team, parity was required with five boys and five girls. »
Facing the elite of flag football, the Bleuets started their tournament with gusto by beating Brazil (9-0) before returning to earth against Mexico (0-28 defeat). Regardless, the Parisian titis passed the group stage to reach the quarters against China for another 0-28 defeat. In the classification matches, they lost to New Zealand (13-19) then Austria (19-25).
“We could have won other matches,” assures Fatima Mardi. But this experience will remain engraved in our hearts. Especially those fabulous moments against New Zealand who did their famous haka before the match. »
Before returning to France this Thursday, the Gavroches experienced an unforgettable day on the sidelines of the Super Bowl. “We were able to attend the players’ training sessions before the Pro Bowl, which took place the same evening. We were able to be as close as possible to professional American football players. »
“The event was part of what they call the Super Bowl Experience which lasts a week,” continues Fatima Mardi. Just like the NFL Flag International Championship U 13, the tournament we participated in. We usually compare the Super Bowl Experience to Disneyland, because there are also attractions. »
Created in 2011, the Dragons de Paris, through their Gavroches, experienced a unique moment. “I co-founded the club because my son Yassine, who is now the coach of the U13s, was looking for a US football club in Paris. However, there was none. Today, there are around 300 licensees, including 70 for flag football. We have felt a thrill since flag football became an Olympic discipline. We are receiving more membership requests and this is likely to continue. »
Before leaving California and San Francisco, the delegation stopped at the famous Golden Gate Bridge. “Even if they are young, for some, it will be the trip of a lifetime,” explains Fatima Mardi. Some parents brought their children with us. And they decided to stay until Sunday to watch the Super Bowl. » An unforgettable memory.
