Article updated: 7/1/2009 5:08:11 PM
You probably remember flag football from high school. It was a great way for everyone to learn about the game without the high-impact of the tackle version. But what you may not realize is that there are several very active leagues across Virginia and throughout the country that play competitive flag football almost every weekend of the season.
Reg E. Roland played in the local leagues for over 10 years. “I got involved in 1998 as a player in the Chesterfield County league. A co-worker got me into it since I was new to the area.” Roland played on various teams until he eventually started a 5-on-5 league that has grown rapidly and is now governed by the Virginia Flag Football Association (VFFA) which was formed in 1977. One of its founders was actually a director of Virginia Parks and Recreation and he identified seven other leagues playing flag football in Virginia. All of those leagues were interested in having their teams compete in a state event.
The VFFA follows the National Touch Football League rules (the National rules published by The Athletic Institute), and then the USFFA (United States Flag Football Association) National rules.
Roland has been involved in the game at various levels including VP of the state association. “We believe in promoting the players first, last and always. We do this by constantly educating them regarding the game’s rules and regulations,” says Roland. “A partnership is forged between the players and officials.
The greatest partnership we have is with the City of Richmond Parks and Recreation.”
As the sport has caught on throughout the region, the number of teams has grown quickly. When Roland first got involved, there were maybe 35 teams. That number jumped quickly and last year there were a total of 88 actively participating in the sport on a local level. There is a spring and a fall playing season that builds up to the state tournament held the second week of December. Many games are played locally at Dorey Park and the T.B. Smith Community Center. In fact, in 2003 Richmond hosted its first local tournament in 20 years.
If you think flag football is a pale imitation of the traditional game, think again. The competition is real, the teams are organized and goal-oriented, and knowledgeable officials are used to oversee each game. All told, these games provide a measurable economic impact on the region. In fact, according to Roland there are often over 1,000 spectators for the first game of the season.
You’ll also find local vendors, families, and former players at each game.
While they definitely play to win, camaraderie is the backbone of the league. “These guys are like my fraternity, just like family,” says Claude Hines, former player and current referee of the Richmond league. “Most important, we want to be a fun league,” says Hines who played for 12 years. After an injury, he decided to pull back on playing and now works closely with Roland to keep the league competitive, respected, and most of all fun for the players and spectators.
As one of the largest adult flag football leagues in Virginia, the league’s accomplishments include 5 of the top teams in the state and 3 ranked nationally. Many of the teams are made up of former NFL and NCAA athletes as well as former high school stars, local businessmen, and regular guys who enjoy playing ball. Most players are recruited by current team members or word of mouth.
“We are always looking for players to form more teams,” says Roland. If there are no current spaces available on a team when a new player signs up, he is added to the free agent list until there are enough to form a new team.
Roland enjoys building a motivating a competitive spirit. “To be the best, you have to beat the best, and I think the best is here in Richmond.”
In fact, in the last few years, a Richmond team has consistently won the state tournament. As one of the highest ranked teams, the Teligon Gunz have even won multiple times, including the tournament in 2008.
These guys are out for serious fun. Teams create their own uniforms and pick their own colors. Some are even sponsored or represented by a company like the AmFamFit team, while others are made up of friends, coworkers, and family members.
One of the great benefits of the game is the strong cardiovascular workout the players get while still maintaining the basic elements of football. But according to both Roland and Hines, while the guys are competitive and focused on doing their best, the main reason they all play is for the love of the game.
Article first appeared in SBQ Issue #8, May/June | May, 2009
