A new youth flag football league is coming to the Barrie/Innisfil area, with registration now open for its fall season kickoff.
The league - "RISE Flag Football" - is a global organization, but each division is owned and operated by a local community youth sports leader.
Chris Cochrane is the operator/owner of the Barrie/Innisfil division and says anyone from Kindergarten to grade 12 (boys and girls aged 5-18) can join.
"The whole premise is that we're using a five-on-five or six-on-six system, so really small numbers, small roster sizes, everyone plays," Cochrane told Barrie 360. "You don't have a whole ton of kids sitting on the sidelines. They know that when they show up to the field, they're going to get a substantial amount of playing time."
The fall season runs on Fridays starting on September 8th till October 27th, with games and sessions in the evenings.
Cochrane says games will be at the Innisfil YMCA in September and then they will move over to the turf field at Georgian College in October.
He added that the unique aspect of the league is its Under Armour sponsorship.
"Team uniforms are affiliated with NFL or CFL teams," said Cochrane. "So, if you want to play for the Buffalo Bills or the Dallas Cowboys, you could have those t-shirts and shorts."
He says the first session on September 8th will be geared toward orientation.
"We're going to do a bit more of a slow launch," said Cochrane. "The first week's games won't count. We're going to do more skills and drills, get to know your coach and talk to referees. Get everyone on the same page."
Cochrane noted that they will accept registrations right up until the first session.
"We've had lots of interest and we don't want to cut anyone off," said Cochrane. "I think they're just hearing about it now so we want to give them a little bit of time to make that decision. So, we will accept some late registrations."
For more information and to register, click here.
Banner image via Rise Flag Football Barrie
