Q&A with Bill Cowher: Former Steelers head coach discusses preparation, trust and the fun of football

By Joe Frollo | Posted 9/4/2014

Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association Earns 2024 Gold Level Status in USA Football Program

By Ainsley McKay | Posted 12/17/2024

The Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association located in Watertown, Conn., has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s League Excellence Program for the 2024 season.  

USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.       

The Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association offers an opportunity for kids ages 5-13 to participate in both flag and tackle football. With five divisions, every young athlete can find their place. The primary goal of the association is to provide a safe environment for each athlete while continuing to find unique ways to have fun.  

Association President Matt Geer explained one of the ways the organization provides unique opportunities and ensures a fun experience for athletes is by incorporating a tunnel entrance at every home game. This thoughtful approach, sponsored by local businesses, helps athletes get excited for game day.  

Geer also highlighted the dedication of the association’s board members and volunteers, who are committed to fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere for each athlete. The association relies on these passionate volunteers to run the program and build a strong sense of family and community.  

“Providing an opportunity for our athletes to participate in the game of football and witnessing the smiles on their faces are the driving forces for each one of our volunteers,” Geer said. “Our athletes work hard in practice, but the bond they are forming with the other athletes on their respective teams is a brotherhood that they will remember forever.” 

The association’s volunteers aren’t just focused on creating a great experience for the kids; they’re also committed to supporting one another.  

“The community we have built here is bigger than football,” Geer said. “Football is more than just a game and our athletes realize that quickly when participating in our organization.”  

When a family is struggling, the entire Watertown youth football community rallies together to offer support, proving their camaraderie extends far beyond the field.  

 The association has been a member of the League Excellence Program since 2021, but 2024 is its first year reaching Gold Level.    

“USA Football’s League Excellence Program allows our program to be recognized for our hard work and commitment to maintaining high operational standards and providing a great environment for our athletes and their families,” said Geer. “The recognition of being named a Gold Level program is instrumental in being able to highlight to our current families, as well as prospective families, that our organization prioritizes the safety of our athletes, always. That means a lot to us as player safety is paramount!” 

Congratulations to the Oakville Watertown Youth Athletic Association on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status.    

Goldbacks Youth Football Earns 2024 Gold Level Status in USA Football Program

By Ainsley McKay | Posted 12/9/2024

The Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League located in Newburgh, N.Y., has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s League Excellence Program for the 2024 season.       

USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.      

The Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League offers an opportunity for kids ages 5-13 to participate in both flag and tackle football, as well as cheerleading. With four divisions based on age, every young athlete can find their place. The primary goal of the league is for athletes to enjoy the sport, embrace teamwork and have fun while competing. 

“Our mission is for everyone who comes and joins us is treated like family,” said Rick Ceglio, who has served as the program’s president for a decade. “Every decision we make checks two boxes. We ask, is it good for the kids, and is it good for our program?”  

The league relies on volunteers to run the program, helping to create a strong sense of family and community. These individuals dedicate their time to enhance the kids’ experience both on and off the field. It’s important to Ceglio that the kids “be brothers and sisters and remember their youth football days fondly.” 

This year, the league was proud to host its first-ever prep rally, which had a carnival theme.  

“The community came together to make this possible for the kids” Ceglio explained. “We had multiple fire departments and local ambulances come to our event to support the kids. We even did a candy drop from the ladder truck. This event was enjoyed by all the families in our league. We had various carnival snacks and bounce houses for everyone to enjoy.”  

The effort put into this prep rally highlights the program’s commitment to creating a strong community and family atmosphere off the field.  

As the Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League expands, Ceglio continues to receive support from USA Football to ensure he and his team of volunteers can continue their great work in their community. USA Football’s grants program helped the program scale to meet the needs of its athletes.  

“We have received a Riddell grant from USA Football,” said Ceglio. “This has allowed us to get new equipment for our expanding program and to ensure we have the best equipment for our athletes at a cost that is more affordable.” 

The Goldbacks Youth Football & Cheer League is a standout organization that entered USA Football’s League Excellence Program at the Bronze Level in 2021 before achieving Gold Level status in 2023 and 2024. Ceglio is grateful for the support he’s received as the league continues to raise its high standards.  

“USA Football helps provide support to leagues like us by creating a road map to ensure your league is offering the best experience for your players, coaches and parents,” he said. “These resources are invaluable to us. The support is instrumental in our continued success.”

Access to USA Football's Online Community, where coaches and league leaders can network and learn from each other, is available through USA Football Membership.  

Congratulations to the Goldbacks Youth Football and Cheer League on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status.   

The Pursuit of Excellence: Anderson Lee U.S. National Team Athlete Spotlight

By Samuel Teets | Posted 9/5/2024

Last summer, Anderson Lee watched as USA Football’s U.S. National Teams sweep the gold medal standings at the 2023 Junior International Cup and IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship. The men’s and women’s teams both outlasted Mexico in close competitions while the 15U and 17U girls’ and boys’ teams all defeated Japan.  

As he watched the live streams and recordings, Lee realized he wanted to celebrate the joy of winning a gold medal alongside the nation’s other top flag football players. It became a central goal of his, something he visualized with fliers, pictures and a hand-drawn U.S. National Team logo pinned at the center of a bulletin board in his room.  

“I created a vision board with visual representations of those goals. USA Football is in the dead center,” Lee explained. “Beside it are [visuals of the] Junior International Cup, the Junior National Team Pathway, LA28 and past U.S. National Team players. The vision board has helped me stay focused on my goals, especially for the Junior International Cup and the National Team. Visualizing and seeing that every day when I woke up was my superpower for this entire process.” 

Lee’s flag football journey began in 2020 as a way to learn the skills he needed for the tackle version of the sport. He was always interested in football despite not playing it from an early age. A shoulder injury in 2021 put his tackle football aspirations on hold but opened the door for him to spend more time building his agility, balance and speed with the non-contact version of the sport.  

“I firmly believe flag is the best athletic foundation for any other sport,” Lee said. “I see it as a great opportunity to represent my country while doing something I love.” 

Lee’s unique background set him up well to learn the sport quickly. He credits two uncommon practices with developing his athleticism and coordination.  

“My family is originally from Massachusetts, and we had a lake in our backyard. We were very big ice skaters,” Lee said. “I took a lot of lessons growing up. That helped me develop my balance, strengthened my body and prepared me to play football. I’ve noticed the impact it had on my game. Drumming has also helped. You have to be very coordinated, and it translates to physical activity. Everything works together to build my skills in football.” 

The more time Lee spent with flag football, the more his desire to play at an elite level pushed him to find new opportunities, including the U.S. National Team. He was pointed in the direction of the GMTM Digital Combine, one of several National Team Pathways, by one of the sport’s biggest stars.  

“One of the athletes on the women’s team, Amber Clark, came to a local Kansas City flag football skills camp,” Lee said. “I was helping out with training at the event. Amber introduced me to the Digital Combine and told me I should try it.”  

Lee and approximately 140 other junior athletes at the 15U and 17U levels were invited to U.S. National Team Trials in Charlotte, N.C. in March to compete for roster spots. He was one of 18 boys at the 15U level to be invited back to U.S. National Team Training Camp in June. Only 12 athletes make the final roster.  

Lee made the team and joined the other Junior National Teams in Los Angeles in July for USA Football’s Junior International Cup. Over the course of several days, Lee and the 15U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team faced national teams from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Panama in pool play before progressing to the knockout stages.  

“I always dream about being one of the best. It’s a focus of mine to be excellent in anything I do,” Lee explained. “Living up to that personal standard and competing against the best athletes in the world made the Junior International Cup an enjoyable experience. It really opened my eyes to see what kind of talent and people are out there.” 

The 15U boys went undefeated in pool play, but their perfection wasn’t uncontested. Japan pushed the U.S. in a 20-18 game, but overcoming the adversity reinforced the confidence Lee and his teammates had in each other and their coaches. It was the toughest competition Lee had faced in flag football.  

“The highest level of competition I faced previously was at nationals, but the jump between that and facing national teams from other countries is pretty substantial,” Lee said. “Seeing all those countries show their love for this game was encouraging. That shows how much the sport has grown and makes you wonder how far it can go.” 

Between games and practice time, Lee and his teammates found opportunities to build chemistry and share their knowledge of the sport. He found his experiences in Charlotte and Los Angeles invaluable and believes they helped him develop his skills.  

“Being around the best athletes in the country and competing with them at Training Camp and during the Junior International Cup was a great experience,” Lee said. “What you gain from that physically, mentally and in every aspect of the game is unmatched. We brought out the competitiveness in each other. Just being around and working with my teammates has sharpened my skills.” 

Lee and the 15U team faced Japan again in their championship game, winning 43-20 to secure an undefeated 6-0 record in the tournament. As the sun began to dip on a hot Los Angeles afternoon, Lee and his teammates soaked up cheers from the crowd as they received gold medals for winning their division.  

“It was so surreal. I remember watching videos of last year’s medal ceremony, wishing to be a part of those teams,” Lee said. “To be up on that stage, holding a gold medal a year later was the most rewarding and surreal moment I’ve experienced. All of that work I put in behind the scenes finally came to fruition.” 

He knew exactly where he wanted to put the medal when he returned home.  

“When I got back from Los Angeles, I put my medal on the vision board,” Lee said. “That was one of the best moments of the year. I’m really thankful I put that board together. Having the vision and the goals I do will always make me better because I’m constantly working toward something.” 

Anderson Lee finds flag football glory with U.S. National Team through GMTM Digital Combine

By Samuel Teets | Posted 8/8/2024

Opportunities to represent the red, white and blue as part of USA Football’s adult and junior U.S. National Teams are gaining prominence as flag football prepares for its debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. There are several pathways to the U.S. National Team, including the Digital Combine.   

USA Football is partnered with GMTM (pronounced Gametime) to provide athletes like Missouri resident Anderson Lee with a pathway to represent their country as part of the U.S. National Teams

Lee joined USA Football’s National Team Pathway through GMTM’s free Digital Combine and eventually won a gold medal as part of the 15U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team.  

“I always want to do things with excellence. That’s just my personality,” Lee said. “I prepared a lot for the Digital Combine, and everything paid off in the end. The combine was straightforward and gave me a great opportunity to be in the U.S. National Team’s system.” 

In early July, Lee and his teammates soaked up cheers from the crowd as they received gold medals for winning their division at USA Football’s Junior International Cup. The team defeated Japan 43-20 in their championship game to secure an undefeated 6-0 record in the international tournament. 

American adult and junior athletes who complete the U.S. National Team Digital Combine through GMTM are included in the pool of athletes considered for invitations to 2025 U.S. National Team Trials. This year, Digital Combines will run from Aug. 2 – Sept. 16 and Oct. 18 – Nov. 18.  

“The U.S. National Team Digital Combine with GMTM is a free opportunity for athletes to prove they have what it takes to compete on the international stage,” said USA Football Manager of National Teams and Head of Player Personnel, Charles Torwudzo. “USA Football is breaking down barriers to participation and engagement by providing multiple opportunities to join the U.S. National Team Pathway. We’re excited to continue partnering with GMTM to connect with talent transfers from other sports and existing elite flag football players.” 

Several athletes identified through Digital Combines have earned invitations to U.S. National Team Trials in each of the past two years, including Lee and 2024 U.S. Women’s National Team member Isabella Geraci. Lee’s performance in the Combine and Trials stood out to coaches, securing him a spot on the 15U final roster.  

“Being around the best athletes in the country and competing with them at Training Camp and during the Junior International Cup was a great experience,” Lee said. “What you gain from that physically, mentally and in every aspect of the game is unmatched. Being surrounded by that environment of excellence is very surreal. It really took my competitive mindset to the next level. There are so many ways that I’ve grown in knowledge of the game this summer. Just being around and working with my teammates has sharpened my skills.” 

GMTM is an easy-to-use social network that connects athletes with coaches and talent evaluators across a wide variety of sports and events. Athletes interested in the free Digital Combine should download the GMTM app and create profiles. 

The Digital Combine features an athlete background section where participants may upload highlights and share their past experiences. The process also includes completing several drills that measure agility, speed, etc. Athletes 17 or younger as of Dec. 31, 2025 will complete the junior combine, while athletes 18 or older as of Dec. 31, 2025 will complete the adult combine.  

The top athletes identified through this year’s Digital Combines will be eligible for invitations to 2025 U.S. National Team Trials this coming spring. Following Trials, 18 athletes per team will be invited to U.S. National Team Training Camp, after which alternates and the final 12-athlete roster will be announced.  

Athletes who don’t make the U.S. National Team are still eligible to join USA Football’s National Team Development Program as a member of a regional Select Team.   

Learn more about pathways to the U.S. National Team at usafootball.com

Palos Verdes Youth Football and Cheer Grows Girls’ Flag Program with Help of USA Football Grant

By Samuel Teets | Posted 7/26/2024

Palos Verdes Youth Football and Cheer (PVYFC) in Calif. has existed for more than 50 years, but the organization is still finding new ways expand and offer more opportunities for athletes to play America’s favorite sport. Palos Verdes launched a girls-only flag football program in 2023 and is preparing for significant growth in 2024 thanks, in part, to a Girls Flag Grant from USA Football.     

Palos Verdes Youth Football and Cheer offers a multitude of ways for young athletes to engage in athletics. The organization has tackle football and cheerleading programs and also offers co-ed flag football for athletes in first through eighth grade. The girls’ flag football program runs from third through eighth grade before feeding into Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Palos Verdes High School.  

“It’s a great program. It’s been one of the joys of my life to start the flag league and see it through to this point,” said Holly Woesner, who led the development of the PVYFC flag football program as the Athletic Director of Flag Football from 2018 until she became the organization’s President in the fall of 2023.  

Woesner played a large role in restructuring the co-ed PVYFC flag program to help increase participation from 200 to roughly 300 athletes and foster local competition to decrease travel time for parents. She was also a driving force behind the launch of the girls’ flag program and remains closely involved in its operation.  

“I love the idea of a pathway for everyone to keep playing football, getting exercise and being on a team,” Woesner said. “Those are all good things for kids in terms of learning life skills and positioning them to be better adults.”  

PVYFC is hoping to have around 100 girls sign up for their fall season, and the grant from USA Football is helping to make that goal a reality.  

“The grant has given us the freedom to grow and not have to focus on fundraising or charging people more because we’ve had this support from USA Football that has allowed us to focus on what is important,” said Woesner. “I was blown over by what USA Football has done for us. I’m just so grateful to have that wealth of knowledge and support.”  

USA Football’s grant helped PVYFC get creative with its marketing to reach a larger audience and attract more potential participants. The grant also ensures PVYFC can keep costs low and make the program accessible to everyone in the community. Additionally, PVYFC received a wide array of brand new practice and game equipment.  

“We were able to keep our registration costs low so we can give more girls access to play and make sure everyone can afford it. We’re also still offering scholarships to assist families,” Woesner explained. “USA Football also provided a boat load of equipment for the girls. We got everything from sports bras to athletic ladders to little customized pinnies that say ‘Mavericks’ and look amazing. I can’t even believe this equipment that we have to work with next year. It’s incredible.” 

Woesner is also excited about the relationship PVYFC has with local Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Palos Verdes High School, which both field varsity girls’ flag football teams. PVYFC, which recently hosted a clinic for its girls with Peninsula High School’s varsity team, hopes to establish a pipeline where the program trains girls to play flag football in elementary and middle school before they transition to high school.  

“Our goal is to prepare all of our kids for high school athletics, whether it be cheer or football, and to partner with the schools to support each other,” Woesner said. “We will advertise any kind of clinics our high schools do for football or cheer activities, and we encourage our kids to go watch their games. I’m really excited that we’re continuing to build on our relationships for the benefit of the girls.”  

Flag football, which is a sanctioned high school varsity sport for girls in California and ten other states, is exploding in popularity. Per USA Football research, the number of girls ages 6-12 playing flag football has increased 222% in the past decade. During the same time, there was a 44% increase in girls ages 6-17 playing the sport. 

“This is the time to jump on board and expose your kids to flag football,” Woesner reinforced. “It’s growing for both girls and boys, especially with its inclusion as an Olympic sport in 2028. I know USA Football fields the U.S. National Teams. That’s a neat opportunity for kids to dream about.”  

Flag football will make its debut as a men’s and women’s sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. USA Football’s U.S. National Teams will represent the country on the world’s stage. USA Football’s 15U and 17U Boys’ and Girls’ National Teams were in Los Angeles from July 9-12 this summer to face teams from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Panama in the third annual Junior International Cup.  

Flag football is also opening opportunities at the college level. Top high school girls flag football players can earn scholarships at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level and compete for a national championship.  

Programs and league leaders like PVYFC and Woesner are paving the way for young girls to enjoy football more than ever before and to take advantage of the exciting new opportunities flag football presents.  

USA Football building on Football Development Model with latest stages

By Samuel Teets | Posted 7/18/2024

In 2019, USA Football began piloting the Football Development Model (FDM) before fully adopting the model post-pandemic as a method to help coaches teach athletes based on their age, the skill they are learning and game type. This year, USA Football will release the remaining three stages of the FDM, providing a clear path for athletes to stay in the sport and continue learning beyond the existing stages.  

USA Football is the sport’s governing body, a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and a leading national voice in the football space. Its FDM is the first national application of a long-term athlete development model for American Football.  

What is the Football Development Model?  

The FDM was developed in partnership with the Football Development Model Council, which consisted of medical, child development, long-term athlete development and football subject matter experts.  

Several notable members included recently retired NCAA Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian Hainline, NFL Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Allen Sills, Director of the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children's National Hospital, Dr. Gerard Gioia, former U.S. National Team athlete and current Cleveland Browns assistant wide receiver coach Callie Brownson and more.  

The FDM is based on the USOPC’s American Development Model’s principles. Its progressive skill instruction focuses on developing the whole athlete, on and off the field, while meeting them at their current stage of development. This approach reduces contact early in an athlete’s progression while teaching age-appropriate skills. 

USA Football’s accredited Coach Certification program encompasses the FDM. Since 2012, USA Football has delivered more than 1.1 million coach certifications, ensuring the sport is coached and played smarter now than ever before. USA Football’s program is the only youth football coach certification to be accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence’s (USCCE).  

Reintroducing the FDM Stages  

The FDM begins with the Discover and Play stage for athletes who are five years old or older. This beginning stage allows athletes who are new to the sport to explore and play multiple positions in a fun, positive environment. The focus is on providing an enjoyable experience, not keeping score. A fun introduction to the sport makes it more likely that athletes will want to continue playing. USA Football’s First Down Program is a great way to introduce the game. 

Similar to the first stage, Play and Develop primarily focuses on athletes who are new to football. At this point, younger athletes are still learning and developing basic movement skills, such as running, throwing and catching while older athletes are learning to connect the movement skills they already know with basic football skills. Most children are still deciding if they enjoy the sport at this stage, so teams should create a fun, active setting with mini-competitions and games rather than drills. This stage prioritizes the experience over wins and losses.  

Next, athletes who reach the Develop and Achieve stage are beginning to control their movements. The emphasis shifts toward teaching and learning more advanced concepts, including agility, balance, coordination and speed. Leaders should regularly encourage and congratulate athletes for learning football and life skills like teamwork. The athlete’s achievements and development are prioritized over team records and final scores as they continue learning the game. 

By the Achieve and Advance stage, football will likely be one of an athlete’s primary sports. Since players are more mentally and physically developed at this point, coaches may begin to introduce position-specific skills and football tactics. Some athletes will learn these more advanced concepts quicker than others, but it’s important to support all athletes as they adapt to this new level of play.  

Athletes in the Advance and Compete stage who started playing as youth are wrapping up middle school or entering high school. Football settings are more competitive at this stage. Athletes transitioning through puberty become stronger, quicker and more agile, allowing them to build position-specific skills. A wider range of athletic movements and competitions and now open to athletes.  

For many athletes, Advance and Compete is the first stage that plays a part in USA Football’s U.S. National Team Pathway. Athletes in this age range are eligible for positions on 15U U.S. National Teams. The next two FDM stages are also connected to pathway.  

Compete and Excel welcomes athletes who are nearing the highest levels of competitive football. At the scholastic level, this includes players who are entering the final years of their high school aged careers. The focus in this stage is on mastering position-specific techniques as well as tactics. The mental aspect of the game plays a larger role at this level as competitive opportunities.  

Finally, Excel for High Performance is the last stage of the FDM. Athletes in this stage are adults or near adulthood and play at the most competitive levels of the sport. They spend significant parts of their daily lives straining and competing to win. Players have largely mastered the game but continue to learn and develop position-specific skills, tactics and football intelligence. Proper rest and recovery play a large role as athletes mold their routines to meet the demands of the competitive environment.  

How USA Football Helps 

USA Football supports the development of pathways to bring athletes up and through Stages 5-7 of the FDM, which connect to the U.S. National Team pipeline. Our extensive grants program, which has awarded more than $20 million since 2006, solidifies grassroots organizations that prepare young athletes for the upper stages of competition.  

USA Football’s U.S. National Team program introduces athletes at the 15U, 17U and adult levels to elite international competition in flag football through IFAF World Championships, IFAF Continental Championships, the Junior International Cup, The World Games and upcoming events like the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.  

Earlier this year, USA Football unveiled the National Team Development Program. The program and its Select Teams provide athletes at the 12U level and up to with opportunities to stay engaged with USA Football and pursue invitations to U.S. National Team Trials. In July, USA Football will host the first annual Select Bowl, a premier multi-day competition between regional Select Teams at various age divisions. 

Additionally, USA Football fields junior and adult U.S. Tackle National Teams to compete in IFAF events. USA Football’s Women’s Tackle National Team, led by head coach Callie Brownson, won gold at the 2022 IFAF Women's World Championship.  

USA Football’s U.S. National Team has produced several notable alumni with significant achievements at the collegiate and professional levels, including current or former NFL All-Pros Trevon Diggs, Tyrann Mathieu, Jordan Poyer, Jonathan Taylor and Wyatt Teller. Fifteen former members of the U.S. National Team program have gone on to be first round picks in the NFL Draft. 

Former U.S. National Team athletes, like Brownson, may receive opportunities to stay involved in the sport through public speaking, coaching, scouting or other leadership opportunities. Five current or former U.S. National Team athletes sit on USA Football’s Board of Directors.  

Arkansas approves USA Football Youth Coach Certification

By Samuel Teets | Posted 5/23/2024

The Arkansas Department of Health has approved USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification as a pathway for football coaches to satisfy the Coach Safely Act.  

Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023, the Coach Safely Act requires Arkansas youth football coaches to pass a coach training program approved by the state. With the decision from Arkansas’ Department of Health, football coaches and programs in the state now may continue to use USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification to prepare for their seasons.  

As football’s governing body in the U.S., USA Football welcomes opportunities to coordinate with national, state and local leaders to share the latest educational materials, recommendations and research. USA Football supports youth programs in all 50 states, helping organizations provide athletes with memorable experiences. More than 5,500 youth programs serving over 1.3 million athletes enrolled with USA Football in 2023.  

More than 1.1 million coach certifications have been completed since 2012 nationally, reinforcing the football community’s goal to ensure the sport is coached and played smarter than ever before.  

“USA Football's Youth Coach Certification is a comprehensive, athlete-centered program that helps coaches support the health, well-being and performance of athletes,” said Lauren Davenport, USA Football Senior Manager, Education & Training. “Our certification offers pathways for both tackle and flag football coaches and covers a range of topics, including head, heart and heat materials, on-field drills and skills, practical coaching, team management and abuse prevention. We support coaches in creating environments for athletes to participate, develop and compete in football.” 

USA Football’s certification encompasses interactive, instructive modules built with experts in medicine, long-term athlete development and sports. These modules cover all specified areas of the Arkansas Coach Safely Act, including emergency preparedness, concussions and head trauma, heat and extreme weather-related risks, physical conditioning and training equipment usage and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).  

“USA Football’s certification represents the best of youth sports,” said Director of the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children's National Hospital, Dr. Gerard Gioia. “From player safety to exciting player skill development, this is what 21st century youth sports coach preparation looks like, and it’s what moms and dads should expect from a sport’s governing body. USA Football does vitally important work, advancing youth athletes’ health and wellness through a terrific team sport for our kids.” 

Nationally accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE), USA Football’s certification has undergone a rigorous review process to meet the evolving needs of coaches and provide best-in-class education.  

“Accreditation [through the USCCE] ensures that a coach education program can deliver evidence-based knowledge, resources, and skills to its coach members,” said USCCE Accreditation Chair Andrew Driska, Ph.D. in 2022. “USA Football has developed a comprehensive program that prepares coaches to meet youth athletes at their stage of development while prioritizing quality experiences and healthy environments.” 

USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification is trusted by coaches in all 50 states and has been completed in 15 foreign countries across six continents.  

Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida Launches Girls’ Flag Football Program with Support from USA Football Grant

By Samuel Teets | Posted 5/16/2024

Police Athletic Leagues (P.A.L.s) of South Florida recently concluded its first girls’ flag football season. The spring league featured eight P.A.L. chapters from across the state and approximately 76 participants in fifth through eighth grade. For Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida Executive Director, Tim Albury, the successful season marked the culmination of a year of planning.  

Albury met USA Football’s Director of Consulting Sales, Mike Cuzzone, at a national conference in 2023. The two discussed the benefits of launching a girls’ flag football program focused on filling the gap between the early youth and high school levels. It didn’t take long for Albury and his team to begin the process of making girls’ flag football the Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida’s first sports program.  

“We started looking at adding girls’ flag football last year, and the pieces all fell into place,” Albury said. “It was an opportunity to kick things off together [with USA Football] and then try to make this something really good down the road.” 

The league’s success has Albury and Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida looking into offering opportunities to play in the fall as the program continues connecting with the communities its P.A.L. chapters serve.  

“Our mission is similar to the mission of each individual Police Athletic League, which is to give kids a place to be involved in activities, including sports, educational spaces, mentoring opportunities and many other programs,” Albury explained. “Our job is to support each individual Police Athletic League together as a unit. We’re stronger together than we are individually, so our goal is to help Police Athletic Leagues succeed by working together.” 

Albury, who ran his own individual P.A.L. chapter for 11.5 years while working for the Davie Police Department, is a long-running supporter of Florida’s local communities. He and Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida hold annual conferences for youth and adults and offer a “Stop the Violence” curriculum that several chapters visit schools to teach.  

“We wanted to do sports from the start, but we wanted to establish our organization and get ourselves up and running first,” Albury said. “Once we did that, it was just a matter of making contacts.” 

Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida applied for and received a girls’ flag grant as part of USA Football’s grants program, which has already awarded 10,000 flag belts and 1,500 footballs in 2024 to support the development of flag football. Albury’s organization took full advantage of the opportunity to launch its inaugural season.  

“The grant was instrumental. By providing the necessary equipment and informational material with rules, coaching practices and the opportunity to get our coaches certified, USA Football made it so we didn’t have to re-invent the wheel,” Albury said. “The grant also meant that we didn’t have to go out there and try to find ways to raise the money to put on this program. Police Athletic Leagues are non-profits and rely heavily on donations and fundraising. This opportunity was a great fit for us. Without the girls’ flag grant, it probably would’ve taken us another year to get the program started.” 

Flag football, which is a sanctioned high school varsity sport for girls in 11 states, is exploding in popularity. Per USA Football research, the number of girls ages 6-12 playing flag football has increased 222% in the past decade. During the same time, there was a 44% increase in girls ages 6-17 playing the sport. Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida is doing its part by inspiring young athletes to fall in love with the game.  

“There was a mother that I spoke to who said her daughter found a new passion through flag football,” Albury said. “She just loved playing. She was just so in love with the game that she enjoyed every minute of it regardless of whether her team was winning or losing. That was really cool to hear.” 

The league hosted its championship in March, concluding a successful first season in front of supportive family members and representatives from the local community.  

“It was great to see all of the people out there. There was a young girl with a sign supporting her sister, which was cool to see,” Albury recalled. “The Chief from Miami Gardens Police Department and some of her staff came out to support the event. We had a lot of support from the community, police departments and the coaches, which made it an awesome experience. That’s why we’re looking to do something in the fall.” 

Teams line up in one of the first games of Police Athletic League of South Florida's championship day.
Teams line up in one of the first games of Police Athletic League of South Florida's championship day.

Several P.A.L. chapters that Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida serve are taking significant steps to capitalize on the league’s momentum by keeping their athletes engaged deeper into the spring. Girls’ teams from Boynton Beach P.A.L. and Miami Gardens P.A.L. recently participated in USA Football’s Southeast Qualifier tournament in Tampa, marking the first time some athletes attended a regional flag football event.  

“This is the first time that I’ve ever been involved with flag football for girls,” said Bill Tome, President of Boynton Beach P.A.L. “I’ve been affiliated with tackle football for boys for the past 40 years. USA Football sponsored our girls’ team, [helping] with the equipment, uniforms and everything else. It [the Southeast Qualifier] was a great experience. Our girls had never played in a travel tournament until we came here.” 

Police Athletic Leagues of South Florida’s season ran smoothly with plenty of positive feedback and excitement for organizers and P.A.L. chapters to carry over into the fall or next spring. Now, Albury is focused on expanding the program to bring in more P.A.L. chapters and athletes.  

“We’re really excited about the opportunity USA Football gave us to start this program,” Albury said. “We look forward to making this grow into something bigger.” 

East End Athletics Earns Gold Level Status in USA Football Program

By Phoebe Baraker | Posted 4/11/2024

East End Athletics Inc. located in East Moriches, N.Y., has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s League Excellence Program for the 2023 season.      

USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.     

East End Athletics Inc. offers a diverse range of inclusive sports programs tailored to meet the needs of every child, including all-girls and co-ed flag football, along with the Super Star League, which is dedicated to children with special needs. Additionally, the league is launching a new Youth Wheelchair Flag Football League to ensure all athletes have access to sports. Athletes aged six to seventeen can participate in the divisions offered. 

“Being one of the first official youth flag football leagues on the east end of Long Island, we are giving the opportunity to have all children play regardless of their skills, ability and athleticism,” said East End Athletics Inc. President Ali Adlah. “Inexperienced players who typically did not excel in school sports are coming out looking like champions on the flag field.” 

Additionally, the program partners with the physical and occupational therapy programs at a local university to get physical and occupational therapists engaged in supporting adaptive sports. Adlah, who is an occupational therapist, is excited for the opportunities created by this collaboration. 

East End Athletics Inc. is “proud and honored to be part of the [USA Football] community,” as the league earned multiple recognitions in 2023 for its outstanding effort. East End Athletics Inc. has also benefited from USA Football’s Grants Program, which helped secure new equipment for the league. 

“There are many great things I take advantage of through USA Football,” Adlah said. “However, I must say that the Community has been the most positive aspect of getting the league going. It's filled with positive feedback and motivation. There have been many times where I was ready to throw my hands up, but then I read what others are going through and what they have overcome and endured, which then motivates me to keep pushing.” 

Access to USA Football's Online Community, where coaches and league leaders can network and learn from each other, is available through USA Football Membership

Congratulations to East End Athletics Inc. on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status.  

USA Football introduces new Road to The One

By Samuel Teets | Posted 3/28/2024

Beginning in 2024, USA Football is introducing a new Road to The One Flag Championship that alters who is eligible to play and how teams qualify for the tournament. The One is USA Football’s annual flag football national championship in July for youth through adult age groups. The tournament follows the five-on-five playing style and rules that will be used in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.  

There are three types of events teams looking to join USA Football’s 2024 competition cycle should understand, beginning with sanctioned tournaments.  

USA Football Sanctioned Tournaments 

USA Football sanctioned tournaments are events run by independent tournament operators. Sanctioning standards are set to enhance the quality of events for athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. These events will take place throughout the country in 2024.  

Starting in 2024, every athlete participating in a sanctioned tournament must have a current USA Football Athlete Membership. Minor-aged athletes must have their Membership purchased by a parent or legal guardian. Failure to fulfil this requirement no less than three business days prior to a sanctioned tournament may result in the athlete not being allowed to participate. Athletes will be grouped by age level based on their age as of Jan. 1 of the competition year.  

Coaches participating in sanctioned tournaments must have a current USA Football Coach & Commissioner Membership no less than three business days prior to the event. Any athlete or coach who doesn’t have an active Membership won’t be eligible to participate in sanctioned tournaments. Visit usafootball.com/membership to learn more about the benefits of membership. 

Teams that compete in sanctioned tournaments will earn points toward the USA Football Team Rankings. Teams can improve their ranking by competing in more USA Football sanctioned tournaments and placing well in those events. High ranking teams are eligible to receive bids to The One.  

Team rankings also help establish seeding going into pool play at USA Football Qualifiers. Rankings will be updated monthly.  

If you are a tournament operator, you can apply today to sanction your tournament with USA Football! 

There will not be 6U and 8U divisions at The One, but those divisions are still encouraged to participate in sanctioned tournaments.  

Athletes participating in USA Football sanctioned tournaments are eligible to be scouted for positions on the junior and adult U.S. National Teams. Top performers may receive invitations to the 2025 U.S. National Team Trials or the National Team Development Program’s 2024 USA Football Select Teams.  

Check usafootball.com regularly to stay up to date on the latest sanctioned tournament schedule. Event information will be posted as sanctioned tournaments are added. Dates and locations are subject to change.  

USA Football Qualifiers  

Teams will have opportunities to secure bids for The One by winning their division level at one of four USA Football Qualifiers. The USA Football-operated events will be located in four regions of the country with stops in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, Houston, Texas, Tampa, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada.  

The winners of sanctioned tournaments aren’t guaranteed bids to The One, but winners of Qualifiers receive full bids. Winning a division at Qualifiers is the only way to guarantee an invitation to The One.  

Athletes and coaches do not need to be USA Football Members to participate in Qualifiers, but they will need to join Membership to play when Qualifiers return in 2025. Athletes participating in these events may be scouted for the U.S. National Teams or Select Teams.  

U.S. National Team Talent ID Camps hosted with local NFL teams will be held in all four Qualifier markets on the day after the Qualifier tournament. Additional Talent ID Camps may be added throughout the spring. The camps allow athletes ages 11-18 to compete in combine testing, one-on-one drills and five-on-five team competitions in front of U.S. National Team coaches and personnel. 

The One Flag Championship 

The One is a USA Football-operated national championship designed to provide the sport’s top athletes with premium experiences and opportunities to compete against fellow elite athletes.  

The One was an open tournament that all teams were eligible to sign up for in 2023. This year, teams will be invited based on their performances at Qualifiers and team rankings established by outcomes at sanctioned tournaments.  

To be eligible to participate in The One, athletes must have played for their team at a sanctioned tournament or Qualifier. New athletes may not be added to rosters between a team’s final event and The One. Athletes and coaches are encouraged to join USA Football Membership.  

Age ranges 10U and up are eligible for The One. Athletes are not allowed to play for multiple teams. They must compete on one team and in the proper age division. Playing up an age division is not allowed.  

Now that you’re up to date on the Road to The One, learn more about the benefits of USA Football Membership and sign up today!