The Miami Dolphins hosted a series of Junior Dolphins flag football clinics for youth and coaches in Brazil and Spain from July 14 through July 25. Brazil marked a return location after a successful turnout the previous year in São Paulo, while these were the first clinics operated by the Miami Dolphins in Spain (Madrid and Barcelona).
Junior Dolphins coaches taught local students and coaches the fundamentals and techniques of flag football through a series of drills and games, marking the first time many students experienced the sport.
The coaches clinics kicked off the two-day event in Madrid where more than 20 coaches were taught the fundamentals and techniques of the sport at Campo Las Leonas on July 14. The following day, nearly 250 kids participated in a flag football clinic. The Junior Dolphins then traveled to Barcelona, hosting about 50 coaches and 130 students at Camp Municipal Bonaire. The Spain stops collectively engaged nearly 80 coaches and 400 youth participants in its first year.
The Junior Dolphins returned to Brazil for a second straight year, hosting their coaches clinic for more than 45 coaches at Clube Recreative CERET in São Paulo on July 21. Nearly 400 students participated the following day, with special appearances by Miami Dolphins Brand Ambassadors Gabi Bankhardt and Podpah hosts Mítico and Igão. In Rio de Janeiro, more than 25 coaches and 160 youth participated in Junior Dolphins programming over two days at Clube da Aeronáutica. Brazilian Lucas Rossetti, the NFL international Fan of the Year and Dolphins fan, attended all the Brazilian clinics, engaging with students and coaches alike.
"We were thrilled to bring our Junior Dolphins flag football clinics to both Spain and Brazil, marking an important step forward as we continue to grow the game of football internationally," said Miami Dolphins Vice President of International Development, Felipe Formiga. "It was incredibly rewarding to provide youth and coaches with tools and resources to learn the fundamentals of flag football in a fun and safe environment. The enthusiasm we saw on the ground was inspiring, and we're very excited to return to Spain later this year as the Dolphins play in the first-ever NFL game in the country."
The Junior Dolphins clinics are part of the Miami Dolphins' efforts to grow the sport of football by providing resources and teaching the game in a fun and safe environment. Brazil and Spain are two of six countries where the Dolphins hold international marketing rights through the NFL's Global Markets Program. The Dolphins will return to Madrid on Nov. 16 to host the Washington Commanders in the first-ever regular-season NFL game in Spain, taking place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
