The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas All-Stars 10-and-under flag football team reached the semi-finals of the iFlag Battle Orlando Tournament in Florida last weekend before falling 27-12 to Phinz, the top ranked team from Tampa.

The seven-member Bahamian squad, sanctioned by the Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL), competed in the two-day tournament at Simmers Young Park in Winter Haven, Florida, using the experience to assess its readiness for the iFlag World Championships in Tampa in January 2027.

Head coach Akeem Boyd said the team showed promise offensively but must improve defensively before taking on international competition again.

The Bahamas opened the tournament with a 22-12 loss to Phinz before bouncing back with a 12-6 victory over Brevard Elite, a team from Brevard County, Florida.

The Bahamians then recorded a more convincing 26-7 win over Unleashing Untapped Talents South Tampa Mafia to advance to the semi-finals.

However, they were unable to get past Phinz for a second time, ending their tournament run one step short of the championship game.

Boyd identified defensive concentration and discipline as key areas requiring attention, particularly when it comes to players maintaining their assignments throughout a game.The team’s offensive production was encouraging, but defensive lapses proved costly against the tournament’s strongest opposition.

Boyd said the coaching staff now has a clearer understanding of the areas that must be addressed before the next major test.

With the iFlag World Championships scheduled for January 14-17, 2027, at the Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay, the Bahamian programme has several months to strengthen its roster and improve its preparation.

Boyd remains confident that the team can challenge for the title, with plans to bring additional players into the squad before the championships.

He said other young players in The Bahamas have continued to develop and could make valuable additions to the team ahead of the January competition.

The expanded roster is expected to provide greater depth and allow for more effective player rotation. During the Orlando tournament, several players were required to compete on both sides of the ball, placing additional demands on the seven-member squad as the games progressed.

Adding depth could help the team maintain its intensity throughout games while reducing fatigue, particularly against opponents with larger rosters.

The upcoming world championships will feature several formats, including 4 on 4, 5 on 5, 6 on 6, 7 on 7 and 8 on 8, across multiple age groups and divisions for boys and girls. Teams will compete for cash prizes, championship rings, trophies, ranking points and qualifying bids.

For the Bahamas All Stars, the Orlando tournament provided valuable experience against established American programmes and highlighted the improvements needed to compete for a world title.

The team will now turn its attention to strengthening its defensive execution, building greater squad depth and preparing for another opportunity to represent The Bahamas on the international flag football stage in Tampa next January.