Over 4,000 Free Kits Distributed Nationwide as Program Inspires Youth Physical Activity and Sportsmanship
The National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with GENYOUth and NFL FLAG, is excited to announce the launch of the 11th year of the GENYOUth NFL FLAG-In-School program. As part of this initiative, over 4,000 NFL FLAG-In-School flag football kits will be distributed for free to schools across the United States for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. This program aims to inspire youth to develop a love for sport and physical activity, regardless of gender, ability, or skill level.
Applications for the free NFL FLAG-In-School flag football kits are now open to educators and school-based community organizations, with the deadline set for May 15, 2024. Through a renewed commitment of $1.5 million from the NFL Foundation, this program continues to provide opportunities for students to engage in physical activity and sports.
Since its inception in 2014, NFL FLAG-In-School has distributed 37,000 kits to schools and school-based community organizations, engaging an estimated 17 million students nationwide. This initiative aims to address the lack of accessibility to physical activity opportunities for students, particularly in schools facing budget constraints.
One of the remarkable aspects of NFL FLAG-In-School is its positive impact on girls’ participation in physical activity. Schools have reported increases in female students’ involvement, leading to the emergence of all-girl after-school flag football programs and a growing movement toward girls’ flag football as a varsity sport at the high school level.
Flag football, already experiencing significant growth in the United States, is set to reach even greater heights with its inclusion in the Olympics program for the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles. NFL FLAG-In-School has played a crucial role in fueling this expansion by inspiring youth to participate in the sport.
Ann Marie Krautheim, CEO of GENYOUth, emphasized the importance of programs like NFL FLAG-In-School in promoting physical activity among youth. With a significant portion of school-aged youth not meeting the recommended daily physical activity levels, initiatives like this are crucial in encouraging lifelong habits of physical fitness.
Troy Vincent, Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, highlighted the inclusive nature of NFL FLAG-In-School, which provides opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to benefit from the values of football.
Alexia Gallagher, NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of NFL Foundation, underscored the foundation’s commitment to providing accessible opportunities for youth to engage in sports and physical activity.
Izell Reese, NFL FLAG Executive Director and CEO of RCX Sports, reaffirmed NFL FLAG’s dedication to making sports accessible to all athletes, working in partnership with GENYOUth and the NFL to ensure the widespread availability of NFL FLAG-In-School programs.
To further promote flag football and NFL FLAG-In-School, a series of in-school flag football clinics and unboxing events will be held in cities across the country, providing students with opportunities to develop their flag football skills.
In the Detroit region, NFL FLAG-In-School will partner with the Detroit Sports Commission, the NFL, and Alltroo to bring the program to middle schools for the 2024-25 school year. This partnership, aligned with the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, will support NFL FLAG-In-School through the Alltroo Rally fundraising effort, as part of the Detroit Sports Commission’s Living Legacy initiative focusing on Education and Youth Sports.
Educators and school-based community organizations interested in applying for an NFL FLAG-In-School kit for their school can visit the official website. Additionally, those looking to find or start an NFL FLAG league in their community can visit the NFL FLAG website for more information.
With the continued support of the NFL, GENYOUth, and NFL FLAG, the NFL FLAG-In-School program aims to inspire millions of students across the nation to embrace a lifelong love of sport and physical activity. https://flag.genyouthnow.org/
