GSP partner Reshape teamed up with Schutz American School to field a team for Egypt’s first National Junior Flag Football Championship, held last month in New Cairo. Competing against schools from across the country, the Reshape-Schutz U13 team won the national title, finishing the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record.
Led by Global Sports Partners representative Bryant Baker and Coach Emily Evans, the squad consisted of 10 students from fifth, sixth, and seventh grades, with just one player having any previous experience in organized flag football. Despite having just three weeks to prepare for the tournament, Baker and Evans developed a training program that focused not only on the rules and fundamentals of the sport, but also on building character, discipline, and teamwork.
As the players developed their skills on the field, they also discovered a passion for the game and a deeper appreciation for working together as a team.
Photo by EFAF
One of Coach Baker’s most memorable moments came the evening before the tournament when the team participated in an escape room challenge. Faced with a series of puzzles that required communication and trust, the players learned valuable lessons about teamwork that extended far beyond sports. Following the activity, Baker led a discussion connecting the experience to both the flag football field and everyday life.
The impact was evident immediately.
“The team came out of that challenge with a greater sense of unity and energy,” Baker reflected. “They played with more confidence, passion, and encouragement for one another than we had seen throughout the previous weeks of training.”
Photo by EFAF
The road to the championship was not without adversity. During the third game of the tournament, Reshape-Schutz fell behind 13-0 after surrendering an opening-drive touchdown and a pick-six on the following possession. Rather than becoming discouraged, the players rallied together, supported one another, and mounted an impressive comeback victory that became a defining moment of the title-winning campaign. The response reflected the culture of encouragement and perseverance that the coaching staff had intentionally developed throughout the program.
Photos by EFAF
For Baker, watching the players embrace a true team identity was the most rewarding aspect of the journey.
“What started as a simple attempt to introduce a new sport into our context turned into not just winning a championship, but truly seeing the power of transformational coaching in action.” — Bryant Baker
Parents also recognized the impact the experience had on the players beyond the results on the scoreboard.
“[My son] hasn’t stopped talking about how much fun he had today, how the team got so close together, how they showed great sportsmanship, and how they were all encouraging each other! Thanks again Bryant and Emily for such an amazing new experience!”
By winning the national championship, the Reshape-Schutz team earned qualification for the Africa Continental Flag Football Championship in Kenya. Due to scheduling conflicts among players, the team was unable to accept the invitation and passed the opportunity to represent Egypt to the tournament’s runners-up. While they will not compete on the continental stage this year, the achievement marks an important milestone and serves as a springboard for future growth.
Looking ahead, Reshape plans to continue working with the Egyptian Federation of American Football (EFAF) to create new opportunities for youth participation and competition. Coach Evans has played a vital role in developing the relationship between Reshape and EFAF, helping establish a foundation for continued collaboration and growth. Building on the success of this inaugural championship team, Reshape will also explore partnerships with additional schools to expand flag football opportunities in Alexandria and throughout Egypt.
