Boys & Girls Club reviving Flag & Tackle Football League

The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana is continuing to revamp its impact on area youth along the I-20 corridor.

In addition to re-imaging and expanding its regular afterschool and summer programming this past year, the Boys & Girls Club will also begin a flag and tackle football league in Ouachita Parish, beginning this fall.

“After successfully revamping and revitalizing our Evergreen (West Monroe) Unit, we felt that we were ready to add flag and tackle football leagues to our regular afterschool activities,” said Eldonta Osborne, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana.  

The clubs within the organization currently offer academic assistance, and instruction in healthy lifestyles and character development to children ages 6 to 18.

The fall football league will roll out in phases, beginning with the western part of Ouachita Parish (West Monroe and Calhoun school students) this fall. Phase 2 will include the eastern part of the parish (Monroe and surrounding areas) in Fall 2022. 

Teams will be school-based. Children (ages 6-9) can participate in flag football, and those 10 to 12 years of age can participate in tackle football. Registration will begin this summer, with eligibility based on actual age as of Sept. 1.

“This is a milestone that would not have happened without the support of (Superintendent) Dr. (Don) Coker and the Ouachita Parish School Board, who made it possible for the games to be played at Ouachita Parish middle schools on Saturdays,” Osborne added.

 “The success of these leagues, as well as that of all of our programs, depends on the support of individuals, families, companies, agencies and the community as a whole. This is a major undertaking that will require volunteers and donors.”

Among those needed to move the leagues forward are volunteer coaches who must attend a clinic hosted by West Monroe and West Ouachita high schools. Those interested in volunteering or have additional questions, email sports@BGCofNL.org.

The football league is part of the footprint that the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana is continuing to grow along the I-20 corridor. The organization already has clubs in Ruston, Jonesboro, Grambling, Arcadia and West Monroe.

Conversation to bridge the gap into Monroe has already started with Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis and public school officials with the goal of providing afterschool programming to Monroe students this fall.

More information will be available in the coming weeks as we prepare for these exciting transitions. Stay informed through our website at BGCofNL.org and Facebook @BGCNELA.