A lot of people may associate football with fall – but in the midwest, it’s great to play football any time the weather permits! And now that spring is arriving, flag football season is on its way. Last fall we shared an article entitled: The Number of Girls Playing Football is on the Rise — and this spring you can add one more to that number as my daughter will be lacing up and taking the (flag) football field for the very first time!
My daughter is 10 and has always loved athletics and competition, but up until this last year – it was baked into her mind that football (and flag football) was a game only for males. There is no denying that historically it has been a male dominated sport – but that is quickly changing and the number of opportunities for females in the sport of football is continuing to increase.
Positive Impact Flag Football has on Girls
We spoke to a local, Madison-area mom last fall about the positive impact that flag football has had on her daughter and it was so inspiring to hear her story about how her daughter has fallen in love with the game of flag football. She also shared that flag football has been a huge confidence builder for her.
That story has now led my 10 year daughter to the game — and has given her the courage to give it a go! I’m so excited to see her play – and would love for more girls to get involved. It would be incredible if the Madison area could get enough girls involved in flag football to field teams at the high school level! Currently Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and New Jersey offer flag football at the high school level.
Benefits to Flag Football
There are so many benefits to playing flag football — from teamwork and camaraderie, to self-discipline and hard work, to self confidence, exercise and focus. It’s truly an amazing sport that combines a lot of skills to help build a well-rounded athlete.
If you are interested in signing up your child – you can click here to find a league near you!
Troy Vincent Named to the 2023 Class of the College Football Hall of Fame
While it’s really rewarding to see the positive impact it can have on youth — it’s also rewarding (and refreshing) to see the positive impact that former players can have on the game. As is the case with Troy Vincent – a former University of Wisconsin standout.
He has been an advocate for getting girls involved in flag football and in 2023 he is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Troy Vincent starred for Wisconsin from 1988-1991 and after graduating – he was the 7th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played 15 seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2006 and is currently the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL.
He’s been an amazing role model for so many youth and has used his influence and his platform for good, helping in philanthropic efforts across the nation.
It’s amazing to see another former Badger inducted into the Hall of Fame – and particularly a player who cares so much about building community through football and who believes that football should be for EVERYONE.
The National Football Foundation
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people.
The mission is to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic excellence in America’s young people.
Future For Football is an initiative by the National Football Foundation to promote and celebrate the game at all levels. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also visit their site for other helpful resources and click here to find a league near you!
