IFAF Europe
Katrin Mansbart Opens up on Playing Flag Football and Team Austria
2 June 2022
The feeling of winning and scoring is very special. We come as one to cheer our team. I believe there is moment where we just don't think of anything. We just cheer and hug each other.
Indeed, like many, winning means a lot for her, but it does not mean everything.
"Winning is something I believe that needs a lot of passion, a lot of strength, but also the right timing. The most important is to play the best game you can play. And if you're winning, then you've been better than your component. If you're still playing your best game, but you're losing, then the component was better than you, but you did your best," she said.
And there is always room for improvement whether or not you win.
"When a goal is achieved, there is always another one waiting for you."
On these notes, meet Katrin Mansbart, the personification of the word “ambitious”.
As she would put it, she is the one who keeps going on no matter what. The one who is always on the side to motivate her teams. The one who does not give up on achieving the goal that she fixes for herself and her team.
Mansbart is a self-employed physiotherapist who has been playing for Team Austria since 2016. Her journey with playing flag football has begun a little bit earlier than that. For seven years, she has played as a center or a wide receiver, depending on where her team needs her. In the years since she has faced the pressure and the success that have become with flag football.
Mansbart has enjoyed everything that comes with playing flag football, the togetherness, the feeling of belonging.
Everyone has an important role to play. There is a spot for the fast ones, the tall ones, the ones who are good at thinking. To her, flag football is big family.
"Because Flag football is small, you are feeling welcome everywhere, getting along with everyone. We have grown very strong together in the national team and of course in the club, so it's always, a great experience. I believe you cannot buy those experiences, it's just something you have to live through,” she smiled.
When she is not on the road playing from football, Mansbart spends her time gardening.
"I have a small garden and a terrace, and I like growing some veggies and fruits and all this stuff, which is completely different to working in sports. I like spending time on it. It's so easy, and I love it. It's kind of my peaceful and happy place. I'd say it's my happy place because when I am in there, I'm doing that and there's no pressure, no performance. It's not so exhausting," she added peacefully and happily.
Team Austria and expectations
For years now, Team Austria has become a power in the Flag Football, especially in the European continent. As a matter of fact, Austria finished 3rd at the World Championship in Israel right behind Mexico and USA, which made them the best team in Europe. And it is all a team's effort according to Katrin.
I believe the commitment is very high in the national team. We wouldn't come that far if we weren't in that area. We are such a wonderful team, have such good friendships, also in the team have a very good team spirit," she said.
Still, the expectation remains high.
We want to play our best game. That would include, of course, beating other teams and if possible, we wanna be top three again, of course. It is something very special for all of us because it's such a great sport and event like the World Games is gonna be huge. There's gonna be a lot of impressions on all of us.
The expectation is even greater when we know the intention for the future of flag football.
"The future is very important, and we're trying to build it up in Austria as well as the other countries. It will be amazing for the sport because we've been a small sport. It is all coming up as we are looking forward to making American football known all over the world," she said.
