ARLINGTON, Texas – Laura Hernandez Sanchez has been awarded an NFL Flag x RCX Foundation International Scholarship and joins UTA Flag Football for the Mavericks' inaugural season.

The NFL Flag x RCX International Scholarship is a global initiative designed to provide elite international women's flag football athletes the opportunity to pursue higher education and compete at U.S. institutions that sponsor varsity flag football. Hernandez Sanchez was selected from a worldwide applicant pool and will continue both her academic and athletic career at UT Arlington.

"Laura is incredibly deserving of the RCX Sports International Scholarship. She has dedicated most of her life to the game of football, making countless sacrifices along the way while showing unwavering commitment to both her athletic and academic pursuits," said Head Coach Melinda Nguyen. "Laura brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and international experience to our program. She is one of those rare athletes who truly eats, lives, and breathes flag football, and that passion is evident in everything she does.

Coach Nguyen continued. "This scholarship is a reflection of the hard work, perseverance, and excellence she has shown throughout her career. We're thrilled to welcome Laura from Spain to UT Arlington and are excited to see the positive impact she will make both on our program and in the global flag football community." 

Hernandez Sanchez arrives in Arlington with an impressive international résumé that spans nearly a decade of competition. She began playing flag football at the age of nine and has represented Spain at both the youth and senior national team levels.

Before UTA, Hernandez Sanchez competed during her freshman season at Kansas Wesleyan University, where she quickly established herself as a leader on and off the field. She was voted team captain by her teammates despite being only a freshman.

On the international stage, Hernandez Sanchez helped Spain's Under-17 National Team capture a European Championship title before advancing to the Spanish Women's Senior National Team. In 2025, she helped Spain earn a bronze medal at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) European Championships.

Hernandez Sanchez will continue her international competition this summer as she represents Spain at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany. The tournament will feature many of the world's premier national teams looking to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The addition of Hernandez Sanchez brings international experience, proven leadership, and championship-level competition to UTA's inaugural flag football program as the Mavericks continue building their foundation for success.

Laura Hernandez Sanchez

• Madrid, Spain
• Recipient of an NFL x RCX International Scholarship
• Began playing flag football at age 9
• Freshman season at Kansas Wesleyan University
• Voted team captain as a freshman
• Member of Spain's U17 European Championship team
• Bronze medalist at the 2025 IFAF European Championships
• Member of the Spanish Women's Senior National Team
• Scheduled to compete at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany