SAUGUS — After student Haleigh McKanas started advocating for a flag football club at the middle high school, Athletic Director Matt Serino took the idea to the Athletic Subcommittee to discuss the logistics.
“Most of you have probably seen that flag football is becoming a very popular sport, especially in this area. In particular, for girls. Right now, in town, we offer flag football for the younger kids. I believe it’s K through 2 that boys and girls can both play in, but then nothing locally that’s offered for second grade and up, flag-wise,” Serino said.
Serino explained that the New England Patriots offer a program throughout Massachusetts, giving schools funds to start up a flag football program in the spring.
“It is not an MIAA sport, although it’s been on the docket several times to be included as an MIAA sport, but right now, for each school, it’s a club,” he said.
He continued that there are many teams in the league, adding that when he was the athletic director at Winthrop, they started the program.
“It was great. It didn’t take away from other sports. We did it in a way that allowed the girls to do track, lacrosse, and softball in addition to doing this as well. They definitely had some late nights and long days, but they seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. And it just allows our kids some opportunities to try other things,” Serino said.
Serino explained that the Patriots provide the school $2,500 for uniforms and then they give the club tickets to sell to help pay for transportation, coaches, and anything else needed.
“It really should be self sustainable. It shouldn’t cost any extra money to the school if it’s done correctly,” he said.
Subcommittee Chair Dennis Gould asked if the school has to set up the schedule, and Serino said that the Patriots will put the team into a league and set up the schedule for them.
When asked what other schools have teams, Serino recalled that Winthrop, St. Mary’s in Lynn, Peabody, Bishop Fenwick, and Salem had teams.
McKanas’s mom, who was also at the meeting, noted that Everett, Chelsea, Revere, North Andover, Cambridge, Arlington Catholic, Woburn, and Essex Tech also have teams.
“She wants to be able to get into high school flag because now there’s upward of 30 colleges now, with 18 to 20 offering scholarships,” McKanas’s mom said.
The subcommittee agreed to support the process, and the plan is to have the program presented to the School Committee at a later meeting.
