Girls flag football is coming to Peoria.
The Peoria Park District is partnering with the NFL to start a youth girls flag football league on August 13. This program is the first of its kind for PPD, which offers a chance for girls ages 9 to 14 to "learn the game of football in a safe setting."
“It’s an opportunity for the young ladies in the town to experience the game of football,” PPD youth sports engagement specialist Mike Dixson said.
Practices will be held twice a week with games on Sundays through Oct. 6 at Peoria Stadium. The cost to play is $75 and includes a replica NFL jersey. Scholarships are available.
Dixson, who played football at College of DuPage and Upper Iowa, has coaching experience at Western Illinois, Robert Morris, Richwoods and now helps at Manual.
“Football’s always been a big part of my life,” he said, “so I’m hoping that it can bring some join to some families. … I just want to pass my knowledge down to everybody else.”
Proctor Center forming a team
Proctor Recreation Center is one of the PPD’s facilities that will be fielding a team.
“I’m really excited about it,” Proctor Center general manager Jonelle Polk McCloud said. “You know anything that’s going to give women a chance to play sports and go to college.”
Practices will be at Proctor with transportation to all games being provided by the rec center, according to McCloud. Getting those after-school programs involved, says Dixson, is critical to success of keeping the flag football league alive.
This can help nearly eliminate barriers regarding travel for potentials players.
“That goes a long way to helping the program grow,” Dixson said, “and help get kids excited about football.”
IHSA beginning girls flag football
This is the second big announcement regarding flag football and Peoria in 2024.
In February, Peoria High, Richwoods and Manual confirmed its plans to play in the Illinois High School Association’s newest female sport for the 2024-25 school year. This comes after the NFL’s Chicago Bears served as the Illinois prep girls flag football organization for the last three years.
Now, the IHSA has its inaugural season starting with practice on Aug. 12, games beginning Aug. 26 and the state finals held on Oct. 18-19 in Villa Park at Willowbrook High School.
For more information on the PPD girls flag football league, Dixson can be reached by email at mdixson@peoriaparks.org.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
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