Gladiator Tournament Teams

Tournament teams are typically comprised of highly motivated and skilled players. Joining such a team allows athletes to challenge themselves and improve their abilities by playing against strong competition. Tournaments provide players with a higher level of competition than they might find in recreational leagues. This type of competition can help athletes raise their performance and become more proficient in the sport.

We participate in a few key tournaments every year that our team loves and looks forward to. Some of our main events include: Disney World Championships– held annually in February IMG Academy Tournament– typically takes place at the end of May In addition to these highlight events, we also take part in several local tournaments throughout the year. Important Notes: Tournament dates will be shared with everyone as soon as they are officially released. While we encourage full team participation, we understand that not everyone may be able to attend every event.

We're always on the lookout for new tournaments to join! From Tampa to Orlando to Miami, events are happening throughout the year, and we love giving our teams the chance to compete in new environments. Here’s how our tournament process works: • We identify new tournament opportunities as they come up. • Details are shared with our coaching staff to confirm availability. • If coaches are available to attend, we pass the info on to the teams. • Teams with enough committed players are then registered to compete. Please note that not all teams will attend the same number of tournaments — participation often depends on team interest, availability, and overall commitment level. We encourage everyone to stay flexible and ready — the more we can take advantage of these opportunities, the more we grow as a club!

When it comes to tournament play, our goal is simple: give every player meaningful minutes and a chance to contribute. To support that, we have guidelines in place to ensure fair participation and team success: • For 5-man tournaments, we bring no more than 8 players. • For 7-man tournaments, we bring no more than 11 players. • We do not take extra players just to fill spots. Every player selected for a tournament is expected to play and contribute. Age group requirements vary by tournament: • Some events are strictly by birth year (e.g., 2012 or 2015). • Others are age banded (e.g., U8, U10, U12, etc.). Because not all tournaments are suitable or available for every team, not all players will participate in every event. This is normal and part of the tournament process. We aim to maintain a pool of 10–12 players per birth year. This allows us to: • Field competitive teams regularly. • Send multiple teams per age group when interest and numbers allow. In those cases: • The top team will compete in the highest available division. • A second team may be entered as a development team, focused on experience, growth, and possibly competing in Division 2 or 3 bracket finals. This structure gives all players a chance to develop in real tournament settings, regardless of experience level.

All of our practices are completely free — we believe in creating opportunities for development without financial barriers. We also encourage our tournament team players to participate in other sports. Being a multi-sport athlete builds versatility, reduces burnout, and helps long-term development. That being said, each team will have their own practice schedule based on the availability of players and coaches. We aim for a minimum of one practice per week, with the goal of two practices per week leading up to a tournament. Practice days and times will be coordinated directly with each team. Once a month, we hold a club-wide practice for all tournament team players, typically on a Sunday afternoon — a popular time for most families. These sessions include: • Skill-building drills • Team scrimmages • Opportunities for players to support and learn from each other • A chance to foster club spirit and community This blend of individual team work and all-club interaction helps build a strong foundation both on and off the field.

At Gladiator Flag Football, we’re committed to making tournament play as accessible as possible. That’s why the club will cover 50% of the cost for each tournament we attend. Typical Tournament Costs range from $350 to $550 per team. The Disney World Championships in Orlando is an exception, with a cost of $945 per team (as of this year). The remaining 50% of the tournament fee will be split evenly among the players attending. We always aim to keep things transparent and fair, and we’ll provide the exact amount owed by each player once a team is confirmed for an event. Your support and participation help make these experiences possible — and unforgettable — for our athletes!

We understand that sports can be expensive, and we do our best to keep things affordable while still providing quality gear for our athletes. The minimum uniform requirement to participate in tournaments: • Jersey and shorts – $50 (Players can choose their own number and name or nickname). Optional Full Kit Package – $250, includes: • Jersey and shorts (uniform) • Protective headgear (increasingly required at many tournaments) • Gladiator backpack • Gladiator slides • Pair of leggings • Hoodie This all-in-one package ensures your athlete is tournament-ready and represents the club with pride. Once your uniform or kit is purchased, your child's spot on the team is guaranteed for one full calendar year. We appreciate your commitment to the Gladiator family and are here to support your athlete every step of the way — both on and off the field.