Flag football in Illinois: Leagues, Schools & Community Games

 

Welcome to the Flag Football Resource Center (FFRC), your online destination for everything related to the sport of flag football in Illinois. In this blog post, we will give you an overview of the leagues, schools, and community groups playing flag football in the state. Whether you are a parent or a player, a beginner or a veteran, we hope you will find something useful and interesting here. Thank you for reading our blog and supporting our website.

If you wish to add your game to our list, please REGISTER and add your game in the comments or email us at info@flagfootball.com and we will be happy to include it. Now, let’s get started with the introduction to flag football in Illinois.   ~Coach Mike & The Team

 

If you love football but don’t want to play tackle, NFL FLAG is the perfect option for you. NFL FLAG is the largest and most popular flag football league in the U.S., backed by the NFL and powered by Reigning Champs Experiences (RCX). NFL FLAG offers boys and girls of all ages and skill levels a chance to learn, play, and have fun with official NFL gear.

To find an NFL FLAG league near you, you can use the league finder tool on the NFL FLAG website . Just enter your zip code and radius, and you’ll see a list of available leagues in your area. You can also filter by age group, gender, season, and program type.

Some of the leagues you can join are:

– NFL FLAG Regional Leagues: These are competitive leagues that run in the spring and fall seasons. They offer high-quality coaching, officiating, and equipment. Regional leagues are also eligible to compete in the NFL FLAG Bowl, the national championship tournament held at the Super Bowl.

– NFL FLAG In-School Leagues: These are recreational leagues that run in the winter and spring seasons. They are designed to introduce flag football to students in elementary and middle schools. In-school leagues are supported by RCX with curriculum, training, and equipment.

– NFL FLAG Community Leagues: These are recreational leagues that run year-round. They are organized by local community organizations, such as parks and recreation departments, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. Community leagues are supported by RCX with grants, training, and equipment.

You can find more information about each league type on the NFL FLAG website : Find an NFL FLAG league

 

– The United Flag Football Affiliated Leagues are sanctioned under the United Flag Football League (UFFL), a league that is built on honesty and integrity. The UFFL Affiliated Leagues are located in different states across the US, including Illinois and they offer various formats, levels and divisions of flag football for men, women and youth.

One of the places to play is Northfield Flag Football League: This league offers 4v4 flag football for men only. The registration fee is $40 per player or $400 per team, and the season runs from June to August. You can contact them at northfieldflagfootball@gmail.com or visit their website at https://www.northfieldflagfootball.com/.

This is just one of the UFFL Affiliated Leagues that you can join but you can search for other locations in Illinois. For more information about the UFFL and its affiliated leagues, you can visit their website at https://www.unitedffl.com/ or email them at unitedflagfootballleague@gmail.com.

 

 

 

– Football ‘N’ America (FNA) is a non-contact youth co-ed flag football league for children in grades K-10, founded by NFL star Drew Brees. FNA offers leagues in various cities and towns across the country including many places in Illinois, where you can learn the game, compete, and make friends.

Here are some of the benefits of joining FNA:

– You get a custom jersey and shorts, Brees Clips with flags, mouth guard, and other perks from local and national sponsors.
– You play on quality fields with certified referees and coaches.
– You enjoy a positive and sportsmanlike environment that fosters friendship, family, and football.
– You can start your own league in your community with the support and resources of FNA.

To find out more about FNA, visit their website at https://playfna.com/. There you can search for a league near you, register online, view schedules and standings, and contact the FNA staff. Registration dates and costs may vary depending on the location and season, so make sure to check the details before signing up.

 

i9 Sports®: The i9 Sports East Kane/NW DuPage/NW Cook, IL franchise offers youth sports programs in the Chicago, St. Charles, Bartlett, and Elgin area. Their flag football program provides kids of all ages with the opportunity to play in a fun and organized environment. The program emphasizes basic skills, sportsmanship, teamwork, and safety. Check their website for more info: Youth Sports Programs for Kids, Leagues, & More at i9 Sports®

 

Chicago

If you’re interested in playing flag football in Chicago, IL, you have plenty of options to choose from. There are leagues and teams for different age groups, skill levels and locations. Whether you’re looking for a competitive or recreational experience, you’ll find something that suits your needs and preferences.

Here are some examples of flag football leagues and teams in Chicago:

– Spring Break Camp: This is a camp for kids aged 5-12 who want to learn the basics of flag football and other sports. It runs from March 25-29 at Hi-Five Sports Chicago. The cost is $375 per week or $85 per day.

– SII. Flag Football (3-5): This is a program for students in grades 3-5 who want to play flag football at Francis W. Parker School. It runs on Mondays from 3:15 to 4:15 pm. The cost is $200 per session.

– Gridiron Football All Stars (Sunday): This is a program for kids aged 6-12 who want to improve their flag football skills at Hot Shot Sports LLC. It runs on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00 am. The cost is $150 per session.

– Junior Flag Football (Tuesday): This is a program for kids aged 4-6 who want to learn the fundamentals of flag football at Hot Shot Sports + Bradley Fieldhouse. It runs on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. The cost is $150 per session.

– Sports & More Enrichment (Wednesday) Spring 2024: This is a program for kids aged 5-12 who want to play flag football and other sports at Hot Shot Sports LLC. It runs on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. The cost is $200 per session.

– Flag Football Skills: This is a program for kids aged 7-14 who want to develop their flag football skills at OAK BROOK PARK DISTRICT. It runs on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. The cost is $60 per session.

– Hot Shots Sports Tiny Tot Sports Camp: This is a camp for kids aged 3-5 who want to try out flag football and other sports at Community House in Winnetka, IL. It runs from July 1-5, July 8-12 or August 5-9 from 9:00 am to noon. The cost is $175 per week.

You can find these leagues and more info at Flag Football Leagues & Teams in Chicago, IL (active.com)

– The Junior Flag-Football League (JFL) in Chicago is a non-contact league that offers outdoor and indoor seasons for kids aged 4-14. The outdoor season runs from August 16 to October 11, with games on Friday nights under the lights at various locations in the city. The indoor season runs on Fridays at the Comed Rec Center. All participants receive a customized jersey with their name on it, a weekly practice, eight games, and awards for championship teams and runner-ups. The champions also get a ring!

The JFL produces weekly “Plays of the Week” videos that showcase the best moments from each game. You can watch them on the JFL YouTube channel. The JFL also offers cheerleading camps for girls who want to learn cheers, chants, and routines. To register for the JFL, you can visit their website at https://www.thejfl.com/thejfl.html.

– The Flag Football programs offered by Chicago Rec Sports are designed for boys and girls of all skill levels, from beginners to more advanced participants. The curriculum is based on child development and aims to progress the players’ social, emotional, and physical skills.

Program Details

• Location: Dunbar Park Outdoor Turf, 300 E. 31st St. Chicago, IL 60616
• Practices: Tuesdays, April 2nd – May 28th, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. No practice on May 7th
• Games: Fridays, April 5th – May 31st, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. No game on May 10th
• Season: 8 weeks

Registration Options

• Practice Only: $195 (Includes jersey)
• Games Only: $195 (Includes jersey)
• Practice & Games: $260 (Includes jersey)
• Rec Sports Super Deal: Combine any two Rec Sports Programs for $325

For more information or to register, please visit the Chicago Rec Sports website.

Flag Football for Girls in Illinois

– The NFL Youth Flag Football League for all girls ages 7 -14 runs from September  to November  with playoffs at the end of November. Each division winner will advance to the Neighborhood Sports State Tournament. The registration fee is $85, which includes an official NFL Flag Team Reversible Jersey, game shorts, flag belts, league-approved ball, regular season games, playoff tournament, facility rental, game officials, and end-of-season awards. For more information, visit their website at cpsathletics.com.

– The Chicago Public Schools launched the first-ever High School Girls’ Flag Football League in the state of Illinois in 2021. In 2022, the league expanded to over 50 teams and in 2023 the league now has over 100 teams across Chicagoland!  Check out info for next year’s program on their website High School Girls Flag Football Initiative – Chicago Public League (IL) (cpsathletics.com)

 

– The Chatham Community Football League (CCFL) is offering a spring flag football season for grades pre-k through 8th. You can register online at https://www.chathamccfl.com/ and join the fun!

The spring flag football season will be an all-Chatham league, meaning that all games will be played at Chatham Community Park on the CCFL fields. No need to travel or worry about conflicting schedules. You can enjoy the game with your friends and neighbors every Friday night from April 5th to May 10th.

The CCFL also offers tackle football and cheerleading programs for those who want to take their game to the next level. You can find more information about these programs on their website, as well as contact details for the CCFL coordinators. If you are new to football, you can also check out their free intro resources to learn more about the sport.

 

If you are a girl who loves flag football, you will be happy to know that it will become an official Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sport in 2024. This means that you can join a team at your school and compete with other schools across the state. Here are some details you need to know:

– The IHSA made the decision to sanction girls flag football after seeing the success of the Chicago Public League, which has been running a girls flag football program since 2021 with the support of the Chicago Bears.
– The Chicago Bears have been promoting and sponsoring girls flag football in Illinois as part of their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. They have provided equipment, uniforms, coaching clinics and funding for the program.
– The Chicago Public League has over 2,500 girls participating in flag football across 60 elementary and high schools. The league has seen positive outcomes in terms of physical fitness, academic performance, leadership skills and self-confidence among the players.
– The IHSA will offer girls flag football as a fall sport, starting from August 2024. The season will run for 10 weeks, with a maximum of 14 games per team. The state championship will be held in November 2024.
– To register for girls flag football, you need to contact your school’s athletic director or coach and fill out the required forms. You also need to have a physical examination and pay a registration fee. The fee may vary depending on your school or district.
– To find out more about girls flag football in Illinois, you can visit the following websites:

– IHSA Girls Flag Football: https://www.ihsa.org/Sports-Activities/Girls-Flag-Football
– Chicago Public League Girls Flag Football: https://cps.edu/flagfootball
– Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football: https://www.chicagobears.com/community/girls-flag-football

 

Effingham

– The Effingham Park District‘s youth flag football leagues are open for 2nd through 6th graders and start in late August. The games are played on weeknights at the Effingham Park District’s fields.

There are two leagues available: Flag Football “A” League for 5th and 6th graders, and Flag Football “B” League for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. The leagues are designed for minimal contact and focus on teaching the basic skills and rules of the game. The registration fee is $40 per child and includes a team shirt.

To register your child, you can visit the Effingham Park District’s website https://effinghamparkdistrict.org/ or call them at (217) 342-4415. You can also find more information about their other youth sports programs, such as baseball, basketball, rugby, soccer, softball, and swim team.

 

Springfield

– Springfield Youth Football has flag football programs for kids from kindergarten to eighth grade in Springfield, Illinois. Here is a summary of what they offer and how to register:

– Flag football is a non-contact version of football that teaches the basics of the game, such as passing, catching, running and teamwork.
– Springfield Youth Football has flag football leagues for different age groups: K-2nd grade, 3rd-4th grade, 5th-6th grade and 7th-8th grade.
– The flag football season runs from April to June, with games on Saturdays and practices during the week.
– The registration fee is $75 per player, which includes a jersey, flags and insurance.
– Registration opens on February 1 and closes on March 15. You can register online at http://www.springfieldyouthfootball.com/registration.html or in person at the Springfield Park District office.
– Springfield Youth Football also offers tackle football programs for kids from second to eighth grade in the fall. Registration for tackle football opens on February 15 and closes on July 15.

– Springfield YMCA Flag Football: This program is for boys and girls in grades K-6. It runs from August to October, with games on Saturdays at the YMCA. The registration fee is $65 for members and $85 for non-members. You can register online at https://www.springfieldymca.org/flag-football/ or call 217-544-9846 for more information.

– Springfield Park District Flag Football: This program is for boys and girls ages 5-14. It runs from September to November, with games on Sundays at Lincoln Park. The registration fee is $50 per player. You can register online at https://www.springfieldparks.org/programs/youthsports/flagfootball.aspx or call 217-544-1751 for more information.

– Springfield High School Flag Football: This program is for high school students who want to play flag football in a competitive environment. It runs from August to November, with games on weekdays at various locations. The registration fee is $100 per player. You can register online at https://www.sps186.org/schools/springfield/flagfootball/ or call 217-525-3100 for more information.

Quincy

The Quincy Youth Flag Football League is for kids entering first through fourth grades and offers a 7-on-7 format with 16 teams in two divisions. The league will start in August and run until October, with games played at Johnson Park and a championship game at QU Stadium. The cost is $75 per player and includes a T-shirt and mouthpiece. You can register online at qyffl.sportngin.com and find more information about the league, the rules and the schedule.

 

Evanston

– Quad Indoor Sports in Evanston, IL is powered by USA Football and is the official youth flag football program of the NFL for boys and girls ages 5-14. You can learn valuable skills, such as sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and commitment, while having a blast practicing and playing the game.

Quad Indoor Sports has different leagues for different age groups and skill levels. You can choose from 6v6 or 7v7 formats, depending on your preference. The leagues run for 7 or 8 weeks, depending on the season, and each player gets an official NFL Flag jersey and flag belt. The games are played on Saturdays or Sundays, depending on the age group, at the state-of-the-art indoor facility of Quad Indoor Sports. The game times may vary depending on the registration numbers, but you can find the updated schedule on your DASH platform.

If you are interested in joining the NFL Flag program at Quad Indoor Sports, you can register online by following the links below. The registration fee is $240 per player, which includes all the equipment and coaching resources. The registration deadline for the Winter II season is January 13th. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Quad Indoor Sports at 847-864-0995 or email them at info@quadindoorsports.com.

Here are the links to register for the NFL Flag program at Quad Indoor Sports:

8U Registration: https://www.quadindoorsports.com/nflflag/8u-registration
10U Registration: https://www.quadindoorsports.com/nflflag/10u-registration
12U Registration: https://www.quadindoorsports.com/nflflag/12u-registration
14U Registration: https://www.quadindoorsports.com/nflflag/14u-registration
16U Registration: https://www.quadindoorsports.com/nflflag/16u-registration

 

Rockford

The NFL Flag Football program offered by the Rockford Park District is designed for kids ages 5 to 14 who want to learn the basics of the game without tackling or contact. The program follows the official NFL Flag Football rules and provides each player with an NFL team jersey and flag belt.

The NFL Flag Football program runs from September to October, with games on Saturdays at Mercyhealth Sportscore One in Loves Park. The registration fee is $85 per player, which includes eight games, practices, equipment, and a participation award. You can register online at https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/nflflag or by calling 815-987-8800.

The Rockford Park District also offers a junior tackle football team for kids ages 8 to 14 who want to play in a competitive league. The team is called the Rockford Wolves and it competes against other teams from northern Illinois. The Rockford Wolves practice and play at Guilford High School from August to October. The registration fee is $150 per player, which includes equipment, uniforms, and insurance. You can register online at https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/football/ or by calling 815-987-8800.

 

O’Fallon

The O’Fallon Little Panthers Flag Football program runs for nine weeks, starting in late August, with one game per weekend on either Saturday or Sunday. The games are played at the O’Fallon High School Football field or at other locations within a 50-mile radius. The league follows the IHSA rules with some modifications for younger divisions. The players are divided into age groups and have weight limits and position restrictions based on their age and size.

The program also has a strong connection with the O’Fallon High School football team, which provides support and guidance to the Little Panthers coaches and players. The coaches are respectable members of the community who have a good knowledge of football and know how to motivate and instruct young players. The program also has a volunteer policy that requires parents to contribute some hours to help with various tasks throughout the season.

If you are interested in signing up your child for the O’Fallon Little Panthers Flag Football program, you can log into or create your account using the “Login / Register” buttons in the top right corner of their website: https://www.littlepanthers.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1077903. You can also find more information about the program’s philosophy, schedule, rules, and contact details on their website.