Great Britain Women's Flag Football: Set to Compete at the IFAF World Championships

As the Great Britain Women's Flag Football team heads into the 2024 IFAF World Flag Championships in Finland, anticipation is palpable. This week, the world's top flag football teams will clash, and for GB, this tournament marks a pivotal moment in their journey. They enter the competition as the reigning European Champions, but the challenge ahead is immense. To preview the tournament, we sat down with Head Coach Dean Whittingslow, who shared his insights on the squad he's selected, the teams they'll face, and what it will take to triumph on the world stage.

The Road to Finland: A Journey of Growth and Redemption

Dean Whittingslow has been at the helm of the GB Women's Flag team since March 2019. Under his leadership, the team has seen significant development, culminating in their 2023 European Championship victory and first-ever World Championship appearance. But the road has not been without its challenges. In 2019, shortly after his appointment, the team finished as runners-up at the European Championships in Israel, falling short against Spain in the final. This disappointment was compounded when the team was unable to compete in the 2021 World Championship in Israel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also cost them a spot at the 2022 World Games in Alabama.

Undeterred, Whittingslow and his team regrouped. A successful friendly tournament in Germany in 2022 set the tone for their triumphant 2023 European campaign, along with a lot of preparation on and off the field, where they avenged their previous loss to Spain with a 26-19 victory in the final. Now, ranked 4th in the world, GB enters the World Championships with renewed confidence and a clear mission: to prove themselves on the global stage.

The Squad: A Blend of Experience and New(ish) Talent

Whittingslow has made no secret of his high expectations for this squad, calling it "the best squad we've had, hands down, ever." His selection philosophy has been guided by a desire to elevate the team's overall performance, focusing on speed, agility, and consistency. According to Whittingslow, "every position we have replaced has been improved," and he believes the team is better equipped than ever to handle the rigours of international competition. The squad that was announced by Dean and his team was:

Name	Position
Brittany Botterill	QB
Phoebe Schecter	C
Marta Mathews	WR
Grace Conway	WR
Emily Kemp	WR
Amy Wells	WR
Kellie Barrett (replaced by Kate Bruinvels due to injury)	DB
Natasha Linton	DB
Ellie Thorpe	DB
Emma Dedicoat	DB
Sarah Wakelin	Blitz
Lottie Laidler	DB

Key to this improvement has been the addition of new talent. The squad includes three players who were not part of the 2023 European Championship team: Grace Conway (WR), Sarah Wakelin (Blitz), and Lottie Laidler (DB), all of whom have previous international experience but missed last year's tournament. In addition, Emily Kemp (WR), a dual-citizen based in the United States, joins the team for the first time.

- Grace Conway is returning to the squad after missing the 2023 Euros due to injury. Known for her exceptional speed and consistency, Conway is a standout receiver. Whittingslow praised her as an "outstanding receiver" whose "route running is phenomenal." Her return is a significant boost for GB, especially given that many consider her one of the team's best offensive weapons.

- Sarah Wakelin is another key returnee, having last played for GB in the 2019 Euros. As a Blitzer, Wakelin is expected to be a difference-maker, particularly against teams from the Americas, where speed and quick decision-making are critical. Whittingslow highlighted her relentless drive, noting that "she's rapid, and we saw in Prague in May what a difference she makes at Blitz to the opposition Quarterback, by the time they've looked up from receiving the ball, she's there".

- Lottie Laidler also returns to the squad after a hiatus. A former defensive captain for GB in 2019, Laidler brings speed and tenacity to the defence. Whittingslow expressed his excitement at her return, saying, "It's great to have her back...she gives everything on every play."

- Emily Kemp is the squad's only truly new addition. Living in the Boston area, Kemp has been making waves in the U.S. flag football scene and quickly impressed Whittingslow and the coaching staff after joining the program in April 2024. Described as an "award-winning WR" in the US she has made an immediate impact, Kemp's inclusion adds depth and talent to an already formidable receiving corps.

The Competition: Group D Breakdown

The GB Women's team faces a tough group at the World Championships, with Panama, Czechia, and Israel standing between them and a place in the knockout rounds.

- Panama (7th in the world) is perhaps the most formidable opponent in Group D. World Champions in 2016 and runners-up in 2018, Panama also finished third at the World Games in 2022. However, the team is somewhat of an enigma, as they've undergone significant changes with a new quarterback and coaching staff. Whittingslow acknowledged the challenge, noting that "there's no film on this team as they have a new QB and new coaching staff," which adds an element of unpredictability. But it's worth noting that GB's Offensive Coordinator used to be part of the Panama set-up.

- Czechia (14th in the world) is a team GB knows well. The two sides met in three international friendlies earlier this year, with GB emerging victorious in all three encounters by considerable margins (43-7, 55-6, and 42-15). Despite these results, Czechia remains a threat, having handed GB their only loss in the 2023 Euros with a 44-40 win in the group stages. While neither side was at full strength in the friendlies, Whittingslow remains cautious, understanding that previous victories do not guarantee future success.

- Israel (17th in the world) is a bit of a wild card in this group. GB has not faced Israel in recent years, as they did not participate in the 2023 Euros. Their last significant outing saw them reach the quarterfinals in the 2019 Euros, where they lost to Spain.

Expectations and Strategy: A Game-by-Game Approach

Whittingslow's approach to the World Championships is one of measured ambition. While the team's ultimate goal is to win the tournament, the focus remains on taking it "one game at a time." He emphasised the importance of starting strong and improving with each game, stating, "Success for me is winning one game at a time, but also getting better each game as well. In a four-day tournament, we need to start high and progress throughout the tournament."

Central to this strategy is the squad's versatility and depth. Whittingslow values players who can excel in multiple positions, both on offence and defence, which allows the team to adapt to different opponents and in-game situations. "For my selection process, I start by selecting a starting 5 on both sides of the ball," he explained, "then I see where those can slot in in other positions where needed and then identify the gaps from there."

This philosophy extends to specialist positions like the Blitzer, which Whittingslow considers "a specialist position to me, they can make or break your defence." The defence will rely on a four-DB setup with a Blitzer, while the offence will feature four receivers and a QB, with at least one receiver capable of snapping the ball.

Conclusion: A Historic Opportunity

The 2024 IFAF World Flag Championships represent a historic opportunity for the Great Britain Women's Flag team. With a blend of seasoned veterans and exciting new talent, and under the guidance of a coach who has meticulously built and refined his squad, GB is poised to make a significant impact in Finland. As Whittingslow put it, "Confidence is sky high but we would be silly to not expect challenges." The journey ahead will be tough, but if the team can navigate the group stages and continue to build on their recent successes, they could well be on their way to securing a place in history.

The tournament begins on August 27th, and all eyes will be on Group D as GB takes the field against Panama, Czechia, and Israel. One game at a time, the quest for world glory begins with GB Women playing Czechia at 11 am UK time.

You can catch all of the action on IFAF.tv and you can find the schedule – in local Finnish time on the IFAF website www.americanfootball.sport/game-centre/

Check out our interview with Alan Young, GB Men's Head Coach from earlier this year to get insight into the GB Men's Flag squad and what to expect: www.insidebritball.co.uk/post/gb-mens-flag-football-squad-for-ifaf-flag-world-championships-announced