Updates

The NFL and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have partnered to increase flag football participation across the country. The new partnership seeks to introduce more than 100,000 boys and girls ages 6-18 to the fundamentals of flag football and to the NFL FLAG community.

The NFL will provide annual grants to 400 local Boys & Girls Club locations. Boys & Girls Clubs will receive equipment, support for field maintenance, training for coaches and officials and program materials.

"Creating opportunities for young people to participate in team sports helps build skills that can lead to an active, healthy life," said Jim Clark, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We're proud to partner with the NFL to ignite kids' passion for sports, teach healthy habits and build leadership skills than can last a lifetime."

In addition to learning on-field aspects of the game, teenage participants will be able to join the new NFL FLAG Teen Officials Program. The program is a work-based learning opportunity that prepares teens to serve as flag football officials at their local Boys & Girls Clubs and broader communities.

"Flag football provides kids of all ages an entry point into the game and a venue to learn valuable life skills and lessons that will translate well beyond the football field," said Natara Holloway, NFL Vice President of Youth and High School Football. "We're proud to team with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to offer more opportunities and access to NFL FLAG and positively impact thousands of kids across the country through football."

The partnership kicked off during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week in Canton, OH, where more than 200 kids from local Boys & Girls Clubs were introduced to the game of flag football by USA Football certified coaches.