NYS flag football season is underway

Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is a non-profit organization providing recreational and competitive sports experiences for children ages four to 18 in the Niwot, Gunbarrel and South Longmont area, and fall brings back the NYS flag football program.

The NYS NFL Flag Football League is a premier youth flag football league for boys and girls that includes games against other NFL flag football teams in the Boulder County area. Flag football is a non-contact sport where players wear flags and defenders are tasked with removing the flags in order to "tackle" their opponent. Interest in the game of flag football is increasing across the country, even making a debut as an Olympic sport when the games come to Los Angeles in 2028.

Last spring, the Colorado High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) sanctioned flag football for girls at the high school level for the first time, joining 10 other states which offer the sport.

For Niwot Youth Sports, there is no shortage of interest in the program, which has grown from 45 participants in 2020 to 170 in 2024. The program's coaches teach good sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy competition, which creates a competitive yet balanced league.

Following a successful summer of NYS youth baseball and softball, and the much-anticipated ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration of the Monarch Improvement Project, the NYS flag football season is officially underway.

For some young athletes who just completed their summer sports season, there is no time to rest as they now bring their skills and energy to the football fields. As children head back to school, players from kindergarten through the eighth grade are heading to the practice field in preparation for their season openers, which start on Sept. 8 at the Niwot High School football field. For players, parents, and fans, there is no shortage of excitement in the air.

"It's great to have a local organization with a variety of sports offerings that are available to kids starting at 4 years old," said one parent whose child plays baseball, flag football, and basketball through the Niwot Youth Sports organization. "The seasons are timed perfectly so they do not overlap, and the sports variety is enough to keep us busy. I also like that practices and games

are local, so we are not in a rush to go from school to practice, trying to eat dinner in between."

Adam Robinson has been the Director of Flag Football for Niwot Youth Sports since 2020. When asked what he likes most about the program, he said, "I'm looking forward to seeing the kids excited about playing football and loving the game."

Robinson, whose children began playing in the program when they were in kindergarten, appreciates the "show of smiles" and the level of excitement that the kids express when they get the ball or make a play by pulling their opponent's flag. He also pointed out that it is not all about winning but also about learning, growth, and development.

The 2024 NYS flag football season consists of 170 youth participants from kindergarten

to the eighth grade. Prior to the start of the season, participants took part in a skills

challenge to showcase their abilities and were then drafted onto 18 teams based

on grade level. This season, the league formed one team at the kindergarten level, four teams in the 1st and 2nd grade division, six in the 3rd and 4th grade division, five in the 5th and 6th grade division, and two in the 7th and 8th grade division.

The program's success would not be possible without parents and local volunteers who help

make it happen. Volunteers help with preseason camps, skills challenges, coach

training, background checks, as well as filling head coach and assistant coach positions for each team. The cooperation from Niwot High School coaches and administrators for the use of their field, their help in putting together youth football camps, as well as many NHS student referees are key contributions as well.

Although NYS does not offer a fall soccer league, NYS does offer a small program in April for K-2nd graders.