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Quade Cooper Eyes Olympic Glory in Flag Football Code Switch
Former Wallabies star Quade Cooper is making a surprising code transition, this time venturing into flag football with aspirations to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The seasoned playmaker, aged 37, is embracing a fresh challenge after concluding his tenure with Japanese club Kintetsu Liners mid-year, setting his sights on Olympic gold in the rapidly growing sport of flag football.
Olympic Dream: Flag Football in LA 2028
Flag football, a modified, non-contact version of American football, is set to debut at the LA Olympics, and Cooper is determined to be part of the historic event. He expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “To be part of something that could potentially reshape the sporting landscape in our country and globally, offering a pathway to compete at the Olympics, is truly special.”
Cooper’s Skills Transfer to Flag Football
Cooper’s renowned passing skills and instinctive flair have already translated effectively to flag football, evident in social media highlights. These abilities are ideally suited for the quarterback position, a role he seems poised to excel in.
Recruiting Aussie Talent for Olympic Squad
Cooper isn’t pursuing this Olympic ambition solo. He has identified a wishlist of prominent Australian athletes he hopes to recruit, including NRL sensations Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, as well as cross-code prospect Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
“Looking at athletes like Reece Walsh and ‘The Hammer’, their agility, acceleration, and dynamic movement are exceptional,” Cooper noted. “These are athletes capable on both sides of the ball. Although flag football is non-contact, the tactical awareness to anticipate opponent movements and defend effectively is crucial.”
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The Appeal of Non-Contact Flag Football
Flag football features teams of five players per side and utilizes flags instead of tackles, promoting a faster-paced, safer, and more accessible game.
Cooper elaborated on the similarities to other popular Australian sports: “For individuals who enjoy and participate in rugby, league, or AFL, flag football shares numerous skills and attributes that I appreciate. Importantly, it eliminates head knocks, broken bones, and heavy collisions. Considering these factors, participating in this venture is incredibly exciting.”
Australia’s Olympic Flag Football Ambitions
Despite the NFL throwing its considerable weight behind flag football’s Olympic introduction, potentially fielding an American ‘Dream Team’ featuring stars like Patrick Mahomes, Australia is undeterred in its pursuit of Olympic success.
Growing Interest and National Program
American Football Australia CEO Wade Kelly affirmed substantial interest from high-profile athletes and the expansion of the national flag football program. “Quade is an extraordinary talent, and his pursuit of flag football gold at LA28 is incredibly thrilling,” Kelly commented.
“The competition to secure spots in the AFA men’s and women’s high-performance flag football program is intensifying, which is a positive development for the program.”
The national squads destined for an invitational tournament in LA in June, hosted by USA Football, are scheduled to be announced next week.
Flag Football’s Surge in Australia
Flag football is experiencing a participation boom across Australia, with over 50,000 students engaged in school programs and numerous club teams competing at the national level.
Kelly highlighted the sport’s appeal: “Many of our elite athletes are already fans. Recently, prominent figures from AFL and NRL have contacted us to explore opportunities to represent Australia in flag football.”
Cooper’s Long-Held Olympic Aspirations
Cooper’s Olympic aspirations were previously thwarted in 2016 when he was ineligible for the Rio Games due to citizenship issues, despite residing in Australia since 2001.
With Australian citizenship now secured, Cooper is fully committed. “Now that I have citizenship, the only remaining challenge is demonstrating my ability, dedicating myself to the training, and contributing to the team,” Cooper affirmed.
Reinvention and a New Sporting Chapter
As a veteran of over 70 Wallabies caps and a Super Rugby title winner, Cooper’s transition to flag football signifies more than a comeback – it’s a sporting reinvention.
“My affinity for the NFL is well-known. I even participated in local gridiron games in Brisbane during the Covid period,” he revealed.
For Cooper, this move represents evolution, not abandonment of rugby. “If I can contribute as a pioneer in this sport, that would be fantastic. It’s something I’ve always been passionate about.”