Big Island Players Try Out for Team Hawaii Flag Football World Cup Squad

As many as 40 Big Island athletes could be bound for the 2026 Under Armour Flag World Cup after competing for roster spots at Kealakehe High School's Waverider Stadium on March 22. The tryout, co-organized by Wahine Era Athletics Hawaii (WEAH) and Dynamic Player Development (DND), drew players from across the island in multiple age divisions, the youngest competing alongside athletes up to age 24. The global tournament tips off Aug. 14 in Brampton, Canada, running through Aug. 16.

The event was set in motion when Under Armour executives personally invited WEAH's Dawny Jones to form a Hawaii team. Jones, who has become a central figure in building competitive football pathways for girls across the islands, directed the Kealakehe tryout alongside BIIF coaches who attended both to run drills and evaluate talent.

Kealakehe head coach Gabe Valentin, who is also involved with DND, was among those on the sideline scouting. "All our gratitude goes to Coach Dawny Jones," Valentin said. "She really is the foundation for wahine sports in Hawaii. It was just great to have her call me and want the Big Island to have this opportunity."

Per Valentin, the island is hoping to send between 30 and 40 athletes to Brampton this summer. Both girls and boys were eligible to try out across the various age brackets, reflecting flag football's growing footprint as a sport that has widened access to competition, particularly for young women. Organizers also pointed to the sport's expanding scholastic presence as opening scholarship and post-secondary pathways for top performers.

The official list of selected athletes is expected to be released in the coming days, which will determine how many Waveriders and Big Island players make the cross-island pipeline to Canada a reality this August.