On April 6, 2024, more than 60 students gathered at Branksome Hall for the school’s very first Flag Football Skills and Drills Workshop. This hands-on weekend workshop brought students from across the city together to develop techniques and skills that would give them an edge in their upcoming games.

Flag Football was first introduced to the Branksome community in the fall of 2023 for Highlanders in Grades 9–12. For many, it was their first time trying the sport, let alone competing in it. The team—coached by Jason Amadio, Manager, Sports Performance and Rehabilitation, and Nick Mercuri, Health, Fitness and Conditioning Coach—was an instant hit with Senior School students. A successful fall season inspired over 20 students to join the team this spring, each eager to strap up their belts and grab their flags for another fantastic season.

To get them ready for the season, Coach Amadio and Coach Mercuri organized a workshop to teach the game to students new to the sport and sharpen their skills. Students from across the region joined in as well, eager to meet athletes from other schools while improving their fitness with drills. Participants were divided up into six stations across the field, each mimicking a different aspect of the game. The stations focused on: throwing, catching, route running, flag grabbing and agility. Athletes grabbed refreshments at the Gatorade station donated by the Toronto Argonauts football team, and were delighted to get a rundown of the rules, procedures and game play from Argonauts team members as well. After training, participants scrimmaged against each other in friendly practice games.

Since the workshop, our Highlanders have been using the skills they have learned to train and strategize for their upcoming matches. A huge thank you to Coaches Jason Amadio and Nick Mercuri for organizing this incredible workshop, and to our guest coaches and friends who came out to help. We look forward to seeing our Highlanders score big this season.