Flag football sign up ends Aug. 26

A week remains for the city of Maricopa’s flag football sign-ups.

The league is a partnership with the NFL Flag Football and Aug. 26is the cut-off day for registrations. The cost is $50 per player and divisions range from 4 to 15 years old.

The league started in 2004 with only 32 kids and four teams, but has come a long way in a short amount of time. There have been around 250 kids playing for the last couple of years. For their participation, each kid receives a reversible jersey, trophy and is invited to the end-of-season party.

All regular season games are played in Maricopa, with the exception of the Arizona Cardinals conduct flag football tournaments in the fall.

***ADVERTISEMENT***In the past, kids have played at halftime of the Arizona Cardinal’s games. Maurice “Mo” Streety will be the youth outreach coordinator for the Cardinals and serves as an ambassador for NFL Flags throughout the area.

In 2006, 24 kids of Maricopa Flag Football took a trip to the Cardinals training center for a football camp with former Cardinal running-back Marcel Shipp. In previous years, the flag football league has received tickets to Cardinal games, and team merchandise.

Practices will begin on Oct. 3 with games starting later that month. Kids who join the league can safely learn the basics of football, and all kids have the opportunity to play, which doesn’t always happen in tackle football leagues.

Each team is comprised of only 8-10 kids, where as in tackle leagues, there can be separate teams for defense, offense and special teams.

It is a volunteer league, so coaches and officials are encouraged to participate. Players and volunteers may register at City Hall 45145 W. Madison Ave. or online at www.maricopa-az.gov.