The world's best female and male flag football players will converge on Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, from August 11 to August 15 for the fifth biannual International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championship.

The IFAF Flag Football World Championship has been held since 2002 and is the showpiece biannual tournament for senior national teams competing in 5-on-5 flag football and has separate competitions for men and women.

Football Canada, the National Governing Body of Canadian Amateur Football, which represents tackle, touch and flag components including players, coaches, officials and administrators, will host the IFAF FFWC for the second time.

"Flag football is not only one of our key grassroots initiatives that introduces young players to the game, but also provides an exciting challenge for top athletes participating in the non-contact version of football," said IFAF President Tommy Wiking.

RICHARD MUNRO, COO of Football Canada, added: "We are delighted to again welcome the top flag football players from around the world to Canada and particularly to our nation's capital.  Two years ago the games were extremely exciting and competitive and I am sure that same spirit of international camaraderie will be evident again this year."

Flag football's female athletes representing Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Sweden and United States will compete at the Carleton University, the RA Centre and Brewer Park in Ottawa in the following groups:

 
                                   Group A                       Group B

                                   Mexico                         Canada

                                   Israel                            USA

                                   Austria                          Japan

                                   Germany                      Sweden

                                   Denmark

 Eleven male teams from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Sweden and United States will also compete at the RA Centre in the following groups:

                                 Group A                       Group B

                                  Canada                       Denmark

                                  Italy                            USA

                                 Germany                       Israel                                                                                                                            

                                  Sweden                       Japan

                                   Austria                         Korea

                                                                      Mexico

 The 2010 IFAF Flag Football World Championship will kick off on Friday, August 13 with the first day of round robin competition for both the men and women. Saturday, August 14 will be the final day of group play and will determine the seeding for the playoff round held on Sunday, August 15.

The Bronze medal games will kickoff at 3.00pm local time and the Men's Gold medal game will be at 3.15 with the women's Gold medal game following at 4.30 at the RA Centre in Ottawa.

The 2008 championship was also held in Canada for the first time when St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec, hosted the event and male and female teams from thirteen countries and three continents took part.

Host Canada's men's team and the women from Mexico will look to defend their Gold medal titles this year in Ottawa. In 2008, the Canadian men claimed their first-ever title in a thrilling 12-6 victory against Denmark. The Mexican women, in an equally exciting game, defeated Canada 27-18 to give Mexico their second gold medal that IFAF Women's World Championship.

Other past IFAF Flag Football World Championship winners:

Year                  Venue               Champion (M)                Champion (W)

2002                 Austria              Austria                          Sweden

2004                 France               Austria                          Mexico 

2006                 Korea                France                           France

2008                 Canada             Canada                         Mexico

2010 IFAF Women's World Championship schedule:

Wednesday, August 11:

Teams Arrive

Thursday, August 12:                

Team Practices

Opening Ceremony

Friday, August 13:                     

Round Robin Competition

Saturday, August 14:                 

Round Robin Competition

Sunday, August 15:                   

Medal Round Games

Closing Ceremony

Websites  

IFAF 2010 Flag Football World Championship       www.FFWC2010.com/