Montreal’s Flight School Elite has become world champion after defeating top youth flag football teams from around the globe to capture the 2026 NFL Flag Summer Championships in Indianapolis.
The U15 team, made up of athletes from across Greater Montreal, defeated Mexico in the International Division final before knocking off the U.S. Division champion from Miami in an overtime thriller to claim the championship after four days of competition from July 23 to 26.
The tournament featured elite co-ed teams from 13 countries across five continents and highlighted the rapid growth of flag football ahead of its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
For Flight School founder and head coach Jamil Springer, the championship represents far more than a title. It marks the latest milestone for a program he founded in 2017 to create opportunities for young people through football.
From a small camp to a championship program
Springer, a Montreal high school teacher, launched Flight School Football after noticing many young people in the LaSalle and southwest Montreal communities lacked opportunities to stay connected and motivated.
“In 2017 I was working in the LaSalle community, Southwest, and at that point in time I kind of found a disconnection between the youth and actually motivating them and for them to kind of see that there’s more than what they’re used to in their boroughs,” Springer said.
Alongside several colleagues, he started football camps for about 50 to 60 children. Nine years later, the program has grown to serve between 600 and 700 youth.
When Flight School first began, Springer said winning an international championship was never part of the plan.
“When we started it was literally just to help maybe 10 to 15 kids that were actively working with us within our community,” he said. “But over the years the impact that we’ve had in our community and even other communities, people doing things that we’ve done, I kind of look at us as the trailblazers, and I’m grateful and I’m really appreciative to be in a position to give back and to kind of lead the next leaders of this world in our community.”
Several members of the championship-winning roster were also part of Flight School’s U12 team that won the 2025 NFL Flag International Championship at the NFL Pro Bowl Games in Orlando.
The road to Indianapolis
Flight School Elite earned the opportunity to represent Canada after winning its regional tournament and then capturing the NFL Flag Canada National Championship in Ottawa earlier this summer.
The team then advanced to Indianapolis, where it remained undefeated against some of the strongest youth teams in the world.
Springer credited the team’s chemistry for helping it succeed.
“They’re very lighthearted. They’d never take anything too serious, which is frustrating at times as a coach,” he said. “But that element makes them rise when things get tough, and I’m extremely proud of them for sure.”
Many of the players have grown up together in the program, with some joining Flight School when they were seven years old.
“For the team that just won it was kind of a full circle moment,” Springer said.
“To see them all put it together some of them have never won, specifically the 15-year-olds. So it’s kind of like a surreal moment for them. But even for me as a proud mentor to kind of see like hey, you’ve been working for eight years and now you’re successful, right? And that proves that hard work pays off eventually.”
A championship-defining catch
Canadian standout Isaiah Smith was named the U15 International Division MVP after one of the tournament’s defining plays.
Springer said Isaiah spectacular one-handed touchdown catch over two defenders in the game against Mexico shifted the momentum early.
“He had a one-hand catch over two defenders falling down, and that kind of set the tone for the rest of the game, because that was the first touchdown,” Jamil said.
Isaiah, who plays wide receiver, cornerback and rusher, said football has always been part of his life after watching his older brother and father play the sport.
“What made me interested in flag football was when I was growing up, I seen my brother Joshua play football and he was really good at it… I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps.”
Despite being named tournament MVP, Isaiah said the honour belonged to the entire team.
“That MVP was, you know, wasn’t just me. It was really a team effort. I couldn’t have done it without them,” Isaiah said. “Everybody just had to come together as one.”
Isaiah said making the highlight-reel catch while playing on ESPN made the moment even more memorable.
“I was really hype, you know, I was excited to be on ESPN. I was just trying to do what I do,” he said. “If I had a chance to make a play, I’m going to make a play and that catch really set the tone.”
Beating Mexico carried added significance after previously losing to the country while representing Team Canada.
“Mexico was the favourite team to win. But we went down there for one reason… to win,” Isaiah said.
More than football
For players like Jordel Springer, the championship represented years of commitment, friendship and growth.
Jordel, who plays multiple positions for Flight School Elite, said the experience was unforgettable after battling through some of the best teams in Canada and around the world.
“It was one of the best feelings ever, especially to celebrate it with my teammates,” he said. “I went through a long time with them. We played many hard teams to get there. And it meant a lot to me.”
The young athlete has also experienced the impact of the program personally, watching his father build something that has helped hundreds of children.
“It means a lot to me, especially like how he was able to make this program,” Jordel said. “We have many players in the program. I was also able to make a lot of friends during this program. And he made me get better.”
The relationship between father and son has also extended onto the field, where Jamil Springer serves as both coach and mentor.
“My dad, he does a lot for me. Even like he’s a dad and a coach on the field, he tells me what I need to do from a dad and a coach perspective,” Jordel said.
A glimpse of the future
The championship arrives at a significant moment for flag football, a sport experiencing rapid global growth with more than 20 million participants across more than 100 countries.
As the sport prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, Flight School’s players are already dreaming about representing Canada at the highest level.
“I’m excited for the Olympics to come,” Jordel said. “In 2028, I would like to represent Canada to play in it.”
For Jamil Springer, the ultimate goal remains the same as it was when he started: creating opportunities and inspiring young people.
He said the championship brought a feeling of satisfaction after years of work because it showed the players that dedication can lead to success.
“I think the word I would be looking for is satisfaction, mainly because they’ve been working hard for a very long time,” Springer said.
“And you know, the satisfaction of knowing that all the work you’ve done pays off in the end.”
The next chapter for Flight School will not be measured only by championships, but by the number of lives it continues to influence.
“I want to kind of build inspiration in others to do the same things that we’re doing,” Springer said. “And ultimately, that’s us changing the world.”
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