Eight experienced flag football officials from eight nations will take charge of games at The World Games alongside a group of Chinese officials.

Hailing from Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Poland and the United States, the men and women in the zebra stripes will be there in equal number with a clear and deliberate gender balance on the field of play.

IFAF asked four of the male officials to talk about their flag football officiating careers and to look ahead to The World Games. Be sure to watch all the action live from Chengdu from August 14 to 17 at The World Games Live

Riccardo Zampedri, Italy

“I began officiating American Football in 2012. Early in 2013, I was introduced to Flag Football, initially officiating middle school tournaments. This quickly escalated; that same year, I found myself officiating national finals and the European Championship. Since then, my dedication to Flag Football has been constant, leading me to numerous high-level competitions globally. I've had the privilege of officiating at the World Championships in Italy (2014), the USA (2016), and most recently in Finland (2024). My experience also includes multiple European Championships in Spain (2015) and Israel (2019), and I was recently in Egypt for the inaugural African Games. I'm incredibly eager for this new challenge at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu.”

Jed Brookes-Lewis, Great Britain

“I started officiating back in 2011 and instantly got bitten by the bug - I just feel so at home on the field and officiating has given me so much confidence in the rest of my life. My first IFAF tournament was the European Championships in 2015 and, since then, I've been so lucky to work at multiple IFAF world and continental championships and really be a part of the transformative growth that flag football has seen in the last decade. I didn't get the chance to go to The World Games in 2022, so to be a part of it this year means so much to me.”

Daniel Barrera Madsen, Denmark

“I have played for a long time as a quarterback and won the Big Bowl Club Tournament in Frankfurt, Germany in 2018 as well as Copenhagen Bowl in 2017 with my club team. Most of my focus has been on officiating the last couple of years. This year I officiated 20 games during one day, so I feel ready for Chengdu.”

Nathan Cope, Australia

“My journey as a flag football official began in 2018 as a player and official. I have great passion for the game and a deep respect for the role officiating plays in its integrity. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to officiate at national championships, international tournaments, and continental events, each experience sharpening my skills and broadening my understanding of the game. I’ve been fortunate to be selected for several high-level assignments Including the IFAF Asia-Oceania championships in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in 2023 and the World Championships in Lahti Finland in 2024. Being invited to officiate at The World Games is a culmination of that dedication and an incredible honor I don’t take lightly.”

What are you looking forward to about officiating at The World Games?

“Working many great games with my highly skilled fellow officials. I look forward to being on the field, where everything from ball handling, penalty announcement, sideline management and every other mechanic we do as an officiating team is spot on, so that the players can showcase how Flag Football is one of the greatest sports in the World.” - Daniel Barrera Madsen

What is the key to an officiating team being successful at a tournament.

“The key to a successful officiating team at a tournament really comes down to three crucial elements. First, and perhaps most importantly, is preparation. This means thorough understanding of the rules, officiating mechanics, and being physically and mentally ready for the demands of high-level competition. Second, trust among the team members is absolutely essential. Officials need to trust each other's judgment, support calls, and communicate effectively, especially in high-pressure situations. Finally, it's vital to have fun. When officials enjoy what they're doing and genuinely appreciate working together, it creates a positive atmosphere that translates into better performance on the field.” - Riccardo Zampedri

The participating flag teams will hold practices and film sessions - what is the equivalent for the officiating team in terms of how you spend your preparation time?

“Video, video, and more video. Because the world championships were so well covered last year with the streams on IFAF TV, we have a really good opportunity to watch the teams we are going to officiate, understand their tendencies, and know what we might need to be looking out for. We'll also have some time before the tournament when we are all together in Chengdu, this will give us a great opportunity to have meetings and ensure we are all on the same level when it comes to our philosophies of what we want to call and what we want to leave alone.” - Jed Brookes-Lewis

As established officials, how will you integrate the group of Chinese officials who are new to this level of competition?

“I was fortunate to officiate at the NBFO tournament held in Ningbo China in May this year. Working alongside the Chinese officials it was evident that although new to the sport they already possess a great knowledge and understanding of the rules. I look forward to continue to provide mentorship and build teamwork in Chengdu.” – Nathan Cope