A group of young athletes from Ealing is heading to Orlando, Florida, to represent the UK in the prestigious NFL Pro Bowl Games
A team of young athletes from Ealing is set to represent the United Kingdom in a prestigious international sporting event in the United States this week. The talented under-12 squad, all members of the Fruit Bats flag football team, will travel thousands of miles to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the highly anticipated NFL Pro Bowl Games.
The squad will play against teams from other competing countries, including Panama, Mexico and Australia.
The ten players, all either current or former pupils of Little Ealing Primary School in Weymouth Avenue, earned their place in the competition through a series of hard-fought victories. Their journey to the Pro Bowl Games was sealed last summer when they triumphed at the 2024 NFL Flag International Championships in Loughborough. Now, they are set to take on teams from around the world, including Panama, Mexico, and Australia, in what promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament.
A Rising Sport
Flag football, often referred to as ‘gridiron’ in its traditional form, is a non-contact version of American football that has been rapidly gaining popularity in the United Kingdom. The sport has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with increasing participation at both school and club levels. Jay Taylor, the founder and coach of the Fruit Bats, has played a pivotal role in this development.
“Each of our players has worked incredibly hard to earn this fantastic opportunity,” Taylor said. “They are very talented and extremely excited to be going. Interest in the sport across Britain has exploded; it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.”
Each of our players have worked incredibly hard to earn this fantastic opportunity. They are very talented, and very excited to be going. Interest in the sport across Britain has exploded, it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
- Jay Taylor, Fruit Bats founder and coach
Taylor, who runs the Fruit Bats as a volunteer, established the club two years ago after his youngest son, Ethan, expressed an interest in playing the sport. What started as a small group of fewer than a dozen players has since flourished into a thriving club with around 70 members. The Fruit Bats have already made a name for themselves in national competitions—its under-11 team was crowned British national champions in September, while the girls’ team has won the schools’ championship for two consecutive years.
The Role of Little Ealing Primary School
The growing success of flag football in Ealing is also credited to Bobby Behzadi, the head of PE at Little Ealing Primary School. Behzadi introduced the sport to the school as an extracurricular activity just before the COVID-19 pandemic. His initiative laid the foundation for many young athletes to discover and develop their passion for the game.
Recognizing the potential of flag football, Behzadi later collaborated with Taylor to extend their coaching efforts both at the school and the Fruit Bats club. Their combined efforts have significantly strengthened the level of training and competition available to young players in the area.
“This time, we’re going back with more knowledge and better preparation,” Behzadi said, referring to the team’s second trip to the United States for international competition. “Jay has added a lot of expertise, and the Bats and I work well together—it’s paying dividends. This is an exciting time for all of us.”
Behzadi’s efforts in promoting the sport previously saw a team from Little Ealing Primary School qualify for the 2023 NFL Flag Championships in Las Vegas. Two players from that team have since gone on to represent Great Britain in the sport, highlighting the impact of grassroots development in flag football.
Community Support
The young athletes’ remarkable achievements have been met with widespread support from the local community and Ealing Council. Councillor Josh Blacker, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, praised the team’s dedication and success.
“This is a tremendous achievement,” Blacker said. “It demonstrates incredible commitment and determination from both the coaches and the players. I wish them all the very best of luck on what will no doubt be a fantastic learning opportunity for everyone involved.”
With flag football set to be recognized at the Olympic Games for the first time in 2028, the sport is gaining increased legitimacy and excitement worldwide. For the young athletes from Ealing, the upcoming Pro Bowl Games in Orlando represent not only an opportunity to showcase their talent on an international stage but also a stepping stone to even greater accomplishments in the future.
As they embark on their journey to Florida, the Fruit Bats carry with them the pride and support of their school, their families, and the broader Ealing community. Their participation in the NFL Pro Bowl Games is a testament to the rapid growth of flag football in the UK and an inspiring example of how dedication, teamwork, and passion can lead to extraordinary opportunities.
