Queens NFLFlag Champions Visit Jets Training Camp

The Queens-based DAC Panthers visited New York Jets training camp yesterday, August 15, a week before the team represents the United States in the annual NFLFlag Football World Championship (FFWC) in Cologne, Germany. The NFLis proud to partner with Reebok, EA and Gatorade and promote this prestigious coed tournament, which motivates boys and girls to participate in a fun and safe sport.

The six youngsters and coach Jimmy Gavalas met with Jets firstyear head coach Eric Mangini and Jets players and received a message of good luck and tips on how to take on the world. Once in Cologne they will face teams from Canada, China, Germany, Holland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain and Thailand at the city's Leichtathletik Stadion from August 22 to 26.

The Panthers met with the Jets after watching the NFLteam's training camp session, which began at 2 p.m.

"I hope they can show me how to become a better quarterback so that one day I can play for the Jets like Chad Pennington," Panthers signal caller, 11-year-old Yanni Gavalas, said before meeting with Mangini and the players. "We're all very excited to be

going to Jets camp and then to Germany for the world championships."

The Panthers are holding a preseason training camp of their own in preparation for their shot at the world title. The team is practicing at Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows, on August 17, 18 and 19 at 5.30 p.m. to perfect their game plan.

The flag champions, Kostas Akoumianakis, Holliswood, Eddie Roscigno, Astoria, Brian Kruger, Bayside, Anthony Libroia, Flushing, Gavalas, Manhasset, Nassau County, and Nicholas Athanasopoulos, Roslyn, Nassau County, won the NFLFlag National Tournament of Champions title at the Disney Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida in November. Every year more than 100,000 children throughout the United States play in NFLFLAG football leagues.

The Panthers' progress can be followed at www.NFL-Flag.com, which will be updated from Cologne with news, photos, quotes, results, and statistics. A daily blog will begin at Jets camp on Tuesday and run for the duration of the FFWC.