Big finish for spring/summer flag football

The final day of the Niagara Youth Flag Football spring/summer league was a huge success.

“Niagara Youth Flag Football finished their season with an incredibly fun, competitive and first-class display of sportsmanship by everyone for the final day tournament,” league founder and coach Matt Hill said.

The final day tournament saw 57 teams in action and 88 games were played on the day.

“We had five age groups with each division having eight to 16 teams to create great competition and parity amongst the group,” he said. “To see a final day tournament of this size go on as smoothly as it did speaks volume of where the program is at with its players, coaches, staff, the referees, the parents and all the amazing volunteers.”

Hill was thrilled with the day.

“I’ve seen hundreds of flag football tournaments and they always have some hiccups but I am so grateful for how natural and easy this event ran,” he said.

Niagara Youth Flag Football’s house league program will now go on a short hiatus before launching its summer/fall season. More than 400 players have already registered for the leagues.The summer/fall season will start Aug. 10 for the younger kids and Aug.12 for the older kids. The games will be played under the lights at Kiwanis Field. Parents interested in registering their children can head to the website to register. There are only a few spots left. The website is www.niagarayouthflagfootball.com.

While the action in the house leagues takes a break, the association’s travel teams are getting ready for some important tournaments. Three of NYFF’s under-12 co-ed teams will compete at the NFL Flag Canadian Championship in Toronto. This tournament has 18 teams from Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton,Burlington, Windsor, Waterloo, London and other areas.

“To be able to send three competitive travel teams speaks volumes of the amount of talent in the league,” Hill said.

The winner of the NFL tournament will go on to represent Canada at the NFL Pro Bowl next year.

Niagara Youth Flag Football also has an under-16 team made up of its players and coaches representing Ontario at the national championship in P.E.I. Aug.12-15. In addition, there are NYFF players, coaches and referees representing the U20 team Ontario at the national championship in P.E.I.

The NYFF travel program will be hosting a tournament Saturday, Aug. 20 at A.N. Myer in Niagara Falls. Between 24 and 32 teams are expected to take part in the event.