RCX Sports, National PAL Expand NFL FLAG Youth Football Access in Underserved Communities Nationwide
✨ Coach, Parents & Player Tips
Coach’s Clipboard: Sneak in quick diagonal sprints between drills—players dash from one corner to the sideline and jog back, stacking acceleration and agility reps without you needing a stopwatch (or a second drill plan).
Postgame Parents: When your athlete’s thoughts start doing gymnastics, have them grab a “reset breath”—inhale for three like they’re sniffing victory, exhale with a goofy roar, and remind them mistakes are just bonus highlight reels in disguise.
Players Snap: Give every play a goofy team nickname—when you scream “Flying Squirrels, assemble!” your squad locks in with a laugh and runs that snap like champions.
🔎 Feature Story
🏅 RCX Sports and National PAL Partner to Expand NFL FLAG Access Nationwide – YSBR
RCX Sports and the National Association of Police Athletic Leagues have launched a nationwide partnership to bring NFL FLAG programming to over 300 local PAL chapters, leveraging PAL’s network of 2 million youth and RCX’s experience with 765,000 participants. By focusing on accessibility, safety, and character development in underserved communities, the collaboration aims to grow youth flag football pathways and strengthen community bonds.
“This partnership is a natural alignment of two organizations committed to using sport as a powerful force for good,” said Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports.
🌍 Regional Roundup
New York: The New York Jets have announced their 2025-26 Jets Flag Elite rosters and launched a first-ever 14U travel team, partnering with Fathead to cover players’ travel expenses and significantly reduce costs for families. The organization will continue funding coaches, equipment, training facility space, and tournament fees to support elite girls’ flag football development and college-scholarship pathways.
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Metro Detroit: NFL FLAG has opened registration for its Winter League beginning January 11, 2026, across six locations—including Brighton, Beverly Hills, and Northville/Novi—offering a six-game, non-contact co-ed 5v5 format for pre-K through eighth graders. Each team receives reversible jerseys, flag belts, and weekly one-hour practices to build fundamentals and provide an introductory pathway to tackle football.
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Indianapolis: Girls flag football in Indiana has reached “emerging sport” status with the IHSAA after expanding to 78 high school teams, up from eight in 2023 and 27 in 2024, thanks in part to the Colts’ Girls High School Flag Football League. The Indianapolis Colts have committed $1 million through their “Road to 100” initiative to fund equipment, uniforms, training, and coaching stipends as schools work toward the 100-team threshold for full sanctioning.
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⭐ Player Spotlight
Kennedy Manning – senior quarterback/safety, Cary-Grove Trojans. In her final year on the tackle squad turned flag football star, Manning rushed for 180 yards, passed for 163 yards, scored four touchdowns and added two interceptions to fuel a thrilling 28–27 comeback and secure the McHenry regional title.
“She’s pretty intense, like Peyton Manning,” said C-G coach Cara Neff. “She makes things happen like Peyton Manning.”
📈 Flag Growth Focus
🔥 Empire State Elite Girls
The New York Jets have launched their 2025–26 Jets Flag Elite program, unveiling both the high school roster and the inaugural 14U travel team with Fathead joining as presenting partner to cover travel and fan-support expenses. This collaboration removes nearly all costs for athletes, enhancing access and creating pathways to college scholarships and the 2028 Olympic stage.
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🏈 National FLAG Access Boost
RCX Sports and National PAL have partnered to bring NFL FLAG to over 300 PAL chapters, expanding programming to communities serving 2 million youth annually. RCX will supply uniforms, curriculum materials, and operational support, strengthening safety, character development, and community policing through organized flag football nationwide.
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🔥 Indiana Girls Making History
Girls flag football in Indiana jumped from 8 to 78 high school teams, earning “emerging sport” status from the IHSAA and driven by the Colts’ $1M “Road to 100” investment in equipment, uniforms, and coaching stipends. The growth milestone advances the sport toward full sanctioning and showcases expanding opportunities for female high school athletes.
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⚡ FlagSnap Daily Blitz
USA TODAY Sports released its Week 6 Super 25 girls flag football rankings, marking North Pole’s return and Milton, Georgia, rising to No. 14.
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Registration is now open through December 14 for the NFL FLAG Winter League in metro Detroit, featuring six-game, co-ed, non-contact sessions starting January 11 at six suburban venues.
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Westridge stayed alive in the CIF Southern Section playoff race with a 32–6 victory over winless Temple City, highlighted by QB touchdowns from Abigail Withers and Ilyana Papke-Flores and two sacks by freshman Lucia Vargas.
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The Denver Broncos hosted an NFL Flag clinic at London’s Grey Court School, where Super Bowl champ Steve Atwater led about 60 sixth-graders through American football drills and scrimmages.
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Northside High School topped Brookwood in Samantha, Ala., thanks to Baylee Appling’s passing and Avery Patton’s game-sealing interception.
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The NFL plans a “reimagined” Pro Bowl Games in the next Super Bowl host city—tentatively Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX—featuring flag football and Olympic-bound athletes.
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Undefeated JSerra Catholic claimed the Trinity League title with a 21–20 win over Orange Lutheran on a late freshman Kate Meier touchdown pass, boosting its record to 23–0 behind stars Kai Beary and GG Szczuka.
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🏁 Final Whistle
— Peyton Manning
