Runnemede Team Celebrates 10th Anniversary of World Championship

The flag football team from Runnemede that made national news by representing the United States and winning the 2001 Flag Football World Championship is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the championship today. 

It was 10 years ago today the Runnemede team, as Team USA, beat Team Canada, 33-21, to become world champions.

The team was coached by James Barel, and consisted of 13- and 14 year-old Runnemede residents Nicholas Balsama, Mario Barel, Todd Long, William Moen Jr., Michael Vernamonti and Jeffrey Watts.

Before winning the 2001 world championship, the team won the first ever NFL Flag Football National Championship by defeating the San Diego Chargers' team, 20-13. The tournament was held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. 

That 2000 national championship team consisted of two additional players, Brian Wooten and Gary Winkler.

After winning the national championship, the Runnemede team was selected to represent the United States in the World Championship in Berlin, Germany. Before departing for Germany in August 2001, the team was invited to attend Philadelphia Eagles training camp, where they met players like Donovan McNabb, Corey Simon and Freddie Mitchell.

Team USA arrived in Germany on Aug. 21, 2001, and spent the first few days sightseeing and learning about the culture of Germany. The team visited landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, including Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag (Parliament) Building. 

The team also participated in football drills hosted by the stars of NFL Europe.

In the world tournament, Team USA played and defeated the following countries' teams on the way to its championship victory over Canada: Spain (39-18), Thailand (40-6), Japan (61-26), Mexico (45-39) and Australia (54-27).