Kelly McGillis Classic Flag Football Championship Set For Jan. 23-30 in Key West
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Teams of women and girls from across the United States, Scandinavia and Central America are to converge on Key West in January for the 26th annual Kelly McGillis Classic International Women's & Girls' Flag Football Championship.
The championship events, named for and endorsed by the critically acclaimed actress and former Key West resident who starred in "Top Gun" and "Witness," are scheduled Monday through Monday, Jan. 23-30.
Internationally renowned endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who in 2013 became the first person to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys without a shark cage, is to deliver the event's keynote address and serve as grand marshal of the players' parade. Other speakers include historian Carol Wynne, a specialist on the heritage of indigenous women in the United States.
Presented by the International Women's Flag Football Association, the tournament brings together players ranging from 8 years old to seniors to compete in multiple divisions, develop their skills during flag football clinics, participate in a conference on their sport, and bond with fellow athletes during watersports excursions and social activities.
Following three days of clinics and Key West activities for players, the tournament's opening ceremonies are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26. The event is to include a presentation by Nyad, who earned worldwide fame when she completed her grueling 111-mile swim across the Florida Straits in just under 53 hours on the fifth attempt.
Directly after the ceremonies, Nyad is to lead the annual players parade. Competing teams proceed down Key West's Duval Street carrying their country or state flags or team banners, typically accompanied by floats and marching bands.
Games are to begin at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and take place at the Wicker Field Sports Complex on Kennedy Drive off Flagler Avenue. Styles of play are 8 on 8 (semi-contact), 7 on 7 and 5 on 5 (non-contact).
The action continues daily through Sunday's playoffs, with the championships followed by a World Challenge Game that pits top U.S. women's all-stars against international all-stars.
The tournament lineup also features daily half-time games for players and spectators, an arm wrestling contest and a toilet paper relay, other fun competitions including wheelbarrow and tandem bicycle races, nightly parties and Sunday awards events for girls' and women's teams.
Event information: iwffa.com/kmc2017 or iwffa@iwffa.com
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or gaykeywestfl.com
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
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Daily action culminates at Sunday's playoffs, with the championships followed by a World Challenge Game that pits top U.S. women's all-stars against international all-stars.
Presented by the International Women's Flag Football Association, the tournament brings together players ranging from 8 years old to seniors to compete in multiple divisions.
Internationally renowned endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who in 2013 became the first person to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys without a shark cage, is to deliver the event's keynote address and serve as grand marshal of the players' parade.