Jorja Mouat step closer to her dream

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Author: FLAG FOOTBALL Malisha Kumar
• Publication title: Te Puke Times

Te Puke’s Jorja Mouat, a member of the Tauranga City Tridents American Football Club, is one of four players chosen to represent New Zealand in the upcoming world championships in Finland

Jorja never thought no-contact flag football was for her, doing track and field growing up, and playing rugby until her leg injury in 2020.

Flag football is a fast-paced, non-contact form of American football played by teams of five on small fields. The game focuses on passing and catching skills.

She went to the US in 2022 for Camp America, giving her a keen interest in American football, but she decided against contact sports due to her injury.

Starting the flag football season in 2022 at Tauranga Tridents from a suggestion for her mum, Jorja never thought she’d come so far.

“I legit just thought it was going to be a hobby out of [Te Puke] high school, I didn’t expect anything of it.

“Making the squad last year and now world championships this year, I’m just loving the sport even more.”

She heard about the world championships last year and is still stoked to hear of her selection this year.

“When I heard about it, I was just thinking that I’m actually just going to knuckle down and give it a crack.

“I’m so proud of myself and still so speechless from...