Last Saturday, January 25th, 2025, marked a new chapter for youth chase tag as the first-ever WCT Academy event in Europe took place at Urban Corp in Toulouse. Hosted by World Chase Tag Europe, this exciting gathering showcased the talents of five teams out of the eight in the French league, with athletes ranging from 12 to 16 years old.

A Round Robin of Rising Stars

All participating teams—hailing from Ploermel (Brittany), Evry (south of Paris), Roubaix, Toulouse, and Bayonne—battled in a round-robin format, facing each other head-to-head. After a day of high-energy chases on Urban Corp’s Quad, three teams finished in first position ex aequo, followed by Rook and Griffon21:

  1. Parkour59 Spark (Roubaix)
  2. Urban Corp Phenix (Toulouse)
  3. Fakaw66 (Evry-Courcouronnes)

Electric Atmosphere and Sportsmanship

A special mention goes to the fantastic crowd at Urban Corp, whose energy was palpable throughout the entire event. Spectators cheered on all teams—from local favorites to visiting squads—creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that truly embodied the spirit of the WCT community. Coaches and athletes alike displayed exemplary sportsmanship, showing respect for their opponents and a commitment to fair play that elevated the level of competition and camaraderie on the Quad.

Highlights and Heroic Moments

  • Record-Breaking Evasions: A Parkour59 athlete stunned the crowd by scoring 8 evasions in a row, tying the existing adult record held by Xavia Rodriguez.
  • Grit and Determination: Griffon21 from Brittany arrived with no prior Quad experience and a team of just four players, yet showed exceptional resolve and teamwork throughout the tournament.
  • Youngest Competitors: Rook from Evry, featuring athletes as young as 12 (and physically smaller than some of their rivals), put up a spirited fight against more seasoned teams, proving that heart can trump height on the Quad.

Looking Forward: May in Evry-Courcouronnes

With the first leg of the championship complete, all eyes are now on the next event in May at Evry-Courcouronnes, where these five squads will continue honing their skills. Fans can also look forward to the arrival of three new teams—two from Brittany and one from Belgium—making the competition even more diverse and intense.

Shout-Out to Our Partners and Commentators

A huge thank you goes out to our event partners who helped make this inaugural WCT Academy event a success. We’d also like to extend our gratitude to our English commentators—@GregBall, a three-time world champion, and @TurndownforWalt, who provided dynamic play-by-play coverage. For our French-speaking audience, Alex from Quad Talk brought the action to life. Your support and enthusiasm truly elevated the experience for viewers both in-person and online.

Rewatch the Livestream

Missed the live action or want to relive the most electrifying moments? Catch the entire stream below.

Stay tuned for more updates as the WCT Academy season unfolds, and get ready to cheer on the next generation of chase tag athletes. The future of our sport looks bright—and fast!