Game On: NFL Flag Comes to Fauquier!
...And wait 'til you see the new jerseys!
After much thought, deliberation and effort we did it -- FYFFL has joined the National Football League's Youth Flag Football program. With such an explosive growth rate, and Fauquier County's proximity to a certain very important NFL team, NFL Flag welcomed FYFFL into its fold with open arms for the upcoming 2010 season.
What does this mean for the kids? Well for starters, it means really cool, shiny, reversible jerseys emblazoned with the logos of your favorite NFL teams -- all part of the standard registration fee. FYFFL is ramping up its ability to put your child's name on the jersey, so at season's end they will have the type of keepsake jersey we parents fork over big bucks to purchase. The kids will also play the games with official NFL flags, and official NFL flag footballs.
But our reason for the change goes far beyond cosmetics.
NFL Flag puts on exciting regional and even national tournaments. With such talent in our league, we are confident that we will field some teams that can go deep into the regional tournaments, and perhaps even make a push for the national tournament in Florida. The NFL goes all-out for these tournaments -- teams that make it to the nationals get all-expense paid trips, including airfare and lodging for the entire team and coaches! Since the closest regional tournament is hosted in Baltimore by the Ravens, we already have let it be known to the NFL Flag folks that Fauquier County wants to host a future regional tournament, and the FYFFL Board will be working hard to make that happen.
Another major factor in our decision is the NFL grants program. The NFL has numerous programs whereby leagues such as FYFFL can be given money to build their own fields and facilities, and offer additional enrichment activities for the kids in our league. With the current limitations on practice fields, and the burgeoning growth of our league, we will be aggressively pursuing these grants with the hopes of someday having our own practice and game fields that ours and future generations can enjoy.
Unfortunately, there was an increase in our cost-per-player to join NFL Flag. But the FYFFL Board did some number crunching, and made it possible for the league to carry half of the increase, rather than pass the entire difference on to the parents. With the exciting changes the NFL flag affiliation will bring, and other changes FYFFL has in the works to bring more excitement to gameday, we are confident that the slight registration fee increase will be money well spent on your child.
For starters, wait 'til they see the jerseys!
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The flag football league referenced herein (Flag League) is officially licensed by NFL Properties LLC, but none of the National Football League (NFL), its member clubs, NFL Ventures, L.P. or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries are sponsoring or operating the Flag League or will have any liability or responsibility for any claim arising in connection with participation in the Flag League. All NFL-related logos and marks, including, without limitation, the NFL Flag logo, are trademarks of the NFL or the respective member club.
