Youth Sports offers flag football program for Combat Center children

October 2nd, 2009
Combat Centers around the globe have announced they will offer flag football programs to military children (ages 7-12). These programs are meant to give these children an outlet to exercise and meet children their age, while learning the game of football in a safe and fun environment. The older children will play in organized games as they learn the sport, while younger children participate in drills to learn the fundamentals of football and sportsmanship.

Children ages 7 through 12 will be able to sign up and join a flag football team until Oct. 30. Children ages 5 and 6 can participate in the Youth Sports Start Smart Flag Football program, to learn the fundamentals of the sport, said Courtney Chambers, an MCCS Youth Sports recreation assistant.

“Flag football gives them an outlet to interact with children their own age while being active and having fun,” Chambers said. “By participating in a sport like flag football, they learn to work together.”

Joe Rosselli, the director of Youth Sports, agreed with Chambers and added that teamwork is essential in Youth Sports.

“Flag football will help them become more competitive in a team situation,” said Rosselli, a Shenandoah, Penn., native.

Because the Youth Sports program is designed to teach children about the sport and give them the skills they may need to progress to a higher level, the younger leagues participate in a less-competitive league, which instructs the children on the fundamentals of football without the pressure of winning, said Chambers, a Twentynine Palms native.

Rosselli said the $20 Registration fee will pay for a customized uniform for each child and a trophy at the end of the season.

The amount of teams and games played will depend on how many children sign up to play, Rosselli said.

Start Smart flag football is a parent and child interactive learning experience where parents work individually with their children during practice under a coach’s supervision.

The program does not have the children participate in games, but will have the children move to different stations where players will learn how to properly hold, throw and punt a football, and other skills like blocking and how to pull a flag, Chambers said.

Youth flag football and Start Smart flag football are still looking for coaches and officials. For more information, contact the Youth Sports at the Community Center at 830-8421.

Picture Sources (in order shown):

1. http://www.eteamz.com/wasuplv/images/coloredlogo.jpg
2. http://www.sanibelflagfootball.com/ImagesRepository/sanibelflagfootball/DesignElements/My%20Images/37986/37986_2.JPG
3. http://www.eteamz.com/wasuplv/images/12_14_Girls_ArizonaCardinals.jpg