Alan Young Provides Insight into the GB Men's Flag Football Squad for IFAF World Championships in Finland

Photo: Andy Keith

On April 29th, the Great Britain Men’s Flag Football program unveiled its 12-man squad set to compete at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championships in Lahti, Finland, this August. This announcement has generated significant excitement within the British flag football community, especially given the team's notable performance in the 2023 European Championships. Adding to the anticipation, the squad has just completed their intensive May training camp, where they focused on strengthening and refining their skills. Inside Britball caught up with Alan Young, the Head Coach of the GB Men’s Flag Programme, who provided a behind-the-scenes look at the selection process, the challenges of being an unfunded team, and the detailed preparations for the upcoming global competition. Young's insights reveal the strategic thinking and dedication driving the team towards success, making this an exciting moment for British flag football enthusiasts.

The selected squad features a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, highlighting the team's depth and versatility. Here's the lineup:

Name	Position	Team
Spencer Brown	C / WR / DB	Utah Thundercats
AJ Carr	WR	Cardiff Hurricanes
Jam Chan	WR	London Smoke
Ollie Dyer	DB	Glasgow Hornets
Liam Harper	Blitz / WR	Manchester Crows
Kostas Karras	WR	Cardiff Hurricanes
Johnnie Kerr	DB	London Smoke
David McInally	DB	Glasgow Hornets
Callum Stopani	DB	Glasgow Hornets
Max Verlint	DB	Glasgow Hornets
Charlie Williams	QB	London Smoke
Henry Williams	C / Blitz	London Smoke

Alan Young emphasised that the reduced squad size, mandated by the IFAF from 15 to 12, necessitated selecting more adaptable and versatile players.

"Choosing a squad became more difficult when IFAF changed squad sizes from 15 to 12," Young explained. "You need players who can handle multiple positions and think quickly on their feet."

Young paid particular tribute to Johnnie Kerr of the reigning National Champions London Smoke “he may not be the best receiver or the best DB but he’s top 3 or 4 in the country for both and that makes him an easy decision for us” explains Young, reflecting on the premium put on position versatility.

During the selection process, Young highlighted Centre as a position they paid particular focus to “Our Centre in Limerick was carrying an injury and what we learnt was that we needed speed at that position. Centre is probably the second most important position on the field”, Young explains ensuring they have options at the position.

New Additions

Among the squad, several new players have caught Young's attention:

David McInally: A returning veteran who would have been the defensive captain for the 2021 World Championships in Israel, which GB did not attend, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McInally is praised for his exceptional skills as a safety, “one of my coaches said he’s the best safety he’s ever coached”, Young explains.

Kostas Karras: Known for his agility and aerial prowess, Karras excels in possession and scramble drills, “he’s by far the best player when the ball is in the air” says Young.

AJ Carr: Renowned for his speed, Carr can effectively "take the top off the defence" according to Young who explains that this was one of their focuses going into this squad selection.

Spencer Brown: An American with a British passport, Brown is lauded for his fundamentals and reflective approach to the game. Despite not being the quickest, his route-running abilities make him a valuable asset. He also paid tribute to his approach off-the-field “he provides feedback all the time, he tells us what we could have done better and what he could have done better, I’ve got all the time in the world for that!” Young stated.

Challenges and Preparations

Operating as an unfunded program, the GB Men's Flag Football team faces unique challenges. Despite this, they achieved an impressive top-8 finish in the 2023 European Championships, the highest among unfunded teams. Young commended players like Ollie Dyer and Liam Harper for their dedication to film study and scouting.

Looking ahead, the team has a rigorous preparation schedule, including camps in May, June, and August. These camps will focus on strength and conditioning as well as intensive training sessions. The August camp will be a joint session with the Women’s Flag team, fostering a unified approach to the championships.

Future Aspirations

Young is keen on incorporating sports psychology, sleep experts, and strength and conditioning coaches into the program, pending funding availability. "We have these resources ready to go," he said, emphasising the program's commitment to not adding to the financial burdens on its members.

With a blend of experienced players and promising newcomers, the GB Men’s Flag Football squad is gearing up for a strong showing at the IFAF World Championships. Despite funding challenges, their dedication and strategic preparation under Alan Young’s leadership positions them as formidable contenders on the global stage. As the team awaits their seeding and opponents, the British flag football community rallies behind them, hopeful for a historic performance in Finland.