WALDORF, Md. — Some of the world’s greatest youth flag football gamers are competing for a championship this weekend, together with a team from Waldorf.
“What makes it so particular is you are taking a homegrown child, any person who did not see this going previous their county, and now they get to exit and symbolize for his or her native football team as a flag football participant,” Jordan Reynolds stated.
Reynolds, basic supervisor of Southern Maryland Youth Flag Football League, says it has been rewarding to see youth flag football develop through the years, however what’s actually taken him unexpectedly is what number of younger women are embracing the game. Over 800 children take part in his league, with roughly 200 of them being younger women.
Maryland flag football gamers will shine on the NFL Flag Championships
Maryland youth flag football team heads to NFL flag championships
“We noticed women in our space. They had been simply standing round on the sideline, you understand, they had been throwing the football, they usually had been like, ‘effectively, we do not need to play with the boys.’ So, you understand, Reggie had an ideal concept. He stated, ‘you understand what, I’m gonna take that leap of religion. I’m gonna step out. And I’m going to make an all-girls division,'” Reynolds stated.
“For me, I’m extra of the visionary,” Reggie Barksdale stated.
It is that sort of ahead pondering that has helped Commissioner Barksdale’s league develop into what it’s as we speak.
“My group, SMYFFL was chosen and chosen as NFL Flag League of the Year, out of two,800 leagues, 48 states and Canada. We’re the primary league for big market, as they name it,” Barksdale stated.
This weekend, a number of of his gamers can be taking part within the NFL flag championships, hoping to convey a championship dwelling for his or her county.
“They placed on a really enjoyable occasion and simply to play a recreation at Canton, Ohio, they opened the doorways for everyone there, man. The children get to go to the NFL Hall of Fame. You get to play the sport on hole grounds up there. You meet children which might be YouTube sensations. I feel what makes it extra thrilling, man, you could possibly activate ESPN and ESPN 2 and you may see your pals that you simply get on the bus with taking part in a flag football recreation,” Barksdale stated.
Sunday’s semi-final and championships can be aired on WMAR.
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