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Flag football looks to start in spring 2020

Program to serve city and region
football

Youth will have a new football option in Yorkton starting next April.

The Yorkton Flag Football League is set to launch with teams across a range of ages for youth.

“We felt there was an opportunity to give youth in the area a chance to play football with a non-physical approach,” said Jeff Hannotte a driving force behind the new organization.

Hannotte said there are those who “want to enjoy football” but are not looking for the highly physical nature of tackle football.

Since flag football is still football injuries can occur, said Hannotte but with “proper techniques and coaching we hope to lessen much of that.”

The new flag football program will run from April into June, so Hannotte said it will also be an opportunity for some players from fall tackle programs to play football in the spring to hone some skills.

Hannotte said they are not looking to replace tackle football, but to offer an option in the spring.

“We hope our program compliments the tackle program,” he said.

The new league will be based in Yorkton with practices and games at Drake Field in the city, Hannotte said they will welcome players from the entire region.

“This is for the Yorkton Parkland,” he said, adding if a parent is willing to commit to driving their son or daughter to weekly activities they are welcome.

Longer term Hannotte said the league hopes teams in different age groups might organize in area communities such as Foam Lake, Canora or Melville.

The plan is for teams to be made up of eight-to-10 players, with games played five-on-five. At the younger ages teams are co-ed.

Teams are planned for six/seven, eight/nine, 10/11 and 12/13 as co-ed, with the 14/15 and 16/17 age teams split boys and girls.

The overall approach for the league will be for players to have fun.

“There are no scholarships, no Stanley Cup, at the end of this one,” said Hannotte. “It’s a fun kind of league.”

Organized under NFL Flag rules, each player will receive a jersey and flag belt as part of registration set in year one at $125. Players will be required to have a mouth guard, and cleated shoes are recommended.

Teams will practice Wednesday evening and play games Saturday mornings.

Details on registration, including forms can be found at www.yorktonflagfootball.com

And, there may be a league for adults too.

Hannotte said there has been interest in adult teams and they have brought on a director “just to run that part of the league” if it is decided to go ahead with adult play in 2020. That will be decided at board meeting later this month.

“We’ll make the decision then what the direction of that will be,” said Hannotte.