The Los Angeles Rams and USA Football teamed up to host a U.S. National Team talent identification flag football camp on Saturday, May 18. The event featured one-on-one competitions and drills, situational five-on-five scrimmages and high-performance combine testing.
More than 250 flag football athletes between the ages of 11 and 18 participated in the coed camp for an opportunity to be selected by National Team scouts to attend USA Football's 2025 National Team Trials.
"It's a great opportunity to identify growing and developing talent," said Scott Hallenbeck, CEO and executive director for USA Football.
Eight athletes across the two sessions were named MVP. Hailing from across Southern California to Mililani, HI and Thomasville, GA, the camp drew flag football talent from across the country. Session one's MVPs included, Ava Irwin, William S. Hart High School sophomore, Jaedon Pablo, Miliani High School sophomore, Queen Creek, AZ seventh grader Zayden Packard, and Anaheim, CA sixth grader, Elizabeth Schuster.
Pablo, wide receiver and defensive back, traveled from Hawaii to compete in the camp. He was grateful to his coaches for preparing him to showcase his skills in front of USA Football and the Rams. "It shows what my coaches have taught me and how I've grown through the years."
Leah Davis, Upland High School '28, Allyson Schmida, Crean Lutheran High School '27, Haylee Weatherspoon, Eagle Rock High School '25 and Aliyah Wood, Thomas University '22, were named MVP from the second session of the camp.
Weatherspoon was born and raised in Los Angeles, living in Eagle Rock her entire life. "I've been going to the tournaments and the community events [the Rams] have been hosting. It feels good to know that a big NFL sports team is here supporting high school teams and girls flag teams [that are] starting out."
Each attendee also became eligible to participate in USA Football's 2024 National Team Development Program as a member of the Select Teams that will compete in the Select Bowl this July in Los Angeles. The program develops athletes and exposes them to the next level of competition with the help of National Team personnel and resources.
Weatherspoon has always considered flag football her favorite sport, playing on boys teams before there was an opportunity to play on a competitive girls team. She's grateful to organizations like USA Football and the Rams for putting more eyes on girls flag football and encouraging more girls and women to participate in the sport.
The Talent ID camp featured a panel with National Team athletes and coaches. The panel, for parents and athletes, provided information about the U.S. National Team selection process and requirements, athletic testing and field work. "It's palpable to listen to the athletes talk about what it meant to them to represent their country," said Hallenbeck.
Rams Cheerleaders and mascot Rampage made an appearance to cheer on the athletes and encourage them to perform to the best of their abilities. Athletes also received lunch from Rams partner, El Torito, and Gatorade served as the hydration sponsor of the event.
USA Football is the sport's governing body in the United States and the sole organizer of the U.S. National Teams that represent the country in international competition, including the Summer Olympics Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Hallenbeck described the goal of the talent identification camps. "This is all new to football, the idea of flag football to the Olympics. We're building that pathway, that's what these [camps] are."
The Rams and USA Football's efforts throughout Southern California have helped bring flag football to young athletes wanting to pursue the sport through numerous camps, clinics and talent identification camps. The 2028 Summer Olympics will introduce the sport of flag football for the first time in the Olympic Games.
"You have to have fun, every time. My favorite part was competing with everybody and learning their techniques," said Pablo.
With Los Angeles being the host city for the 2028 games, the Rams are committed to sharing pathways for local youth to compete at the highest level in flag football on home soil.
For more information about the Rams' community outreach efforts, visit www.therams.com/community.
