Youth Flag Football League

Registration for the 2023 Spring season is now open! 
Please read below for more information on the league and how to register.
CLICK HERE to register online NOW!

2023 Spring Season Information:

The Lincolnton Parks & Recreation Department is excited to offer our Youth Flag Football League again for a Spring season! This is an instructional, minimal contact, flag football league for boys and girls, ages 4 – 14, which stresses teamwork and the fundamental skills of the sport. We strive to provide all children with a fun and positive team experience without the pressure to win or excel as an individual.

AGE DIVISIONS:

• 4 - 6 Year Olds
• 7 - 8 Year Olds
• 9 - 10 Year Olds
• 11 - 12 Year Olds
• 13 - 14 Year olds

Based on the player's age as of 03/01/2023.

Please note: Age divisions are subject to change based on the final registration count. All age divisions are coed.

SEASON SCHEDULE (subject to change):

• Registration Period | 01/01/2023 - 02/15/2023
• Late Registration Period | 02/16/2023 - 02/21/2023
  • A $10 late registration fee will be applied automatically at checkout during this time
• Pre-Season Evaluation Session Dates | Wed, 02/22/2023 & Thu, 02/23/2023
  • For more information on evaluation requirements, session times, and location, please see the "EVALUATIONS" section below
• Coaches' Meetings | 02/27/2023 - 03/03/2023
  • Meetings are for team coaches only - Parents and players will not attend coaches' meetings - More information on coaches' meetings will be sent out to coaches directly
• Team Placement Notifications | 03/06/2023 - 03/12/2023
  • Coaches will begin contacting the parents of players to notify them of their team placements and practice schedules - Any parents that have not heard from a coach by 03/12/2023 should call the Parks & Recreation Department office (704-735-2671) on 03/13/2023 for assistance
• First Practices Begin | Week of 03/13/2023
• First Games Begin | Week of 03/27/2023
  • Games and practices will not be scheduled from 04/07/2023 - 04/14/2023
• End-of-Season Jamboree | Sat, 05/20/2023

EVALUATIONS: 

Pre-season evaluations are simply an assessment of player skill level and abilities in 4 areas: passing, catching, agility, and speed. We use evaluation performance to help ensure that teams are drafted evenly - they are NOT a tryout. Regardless of skill level, each player will still be drafted to a team. 

We require all new players to attend ONE evaluation session. Those who played in our league during the Spring 2022 and/or Fall 2022 seasons will not need to attend an evaluation session. If you are unsure whether your child needs to attend an evaluation session, please call our office (704-735-2671) and a staff member will provide assistance. Evaluations will be held by age division as follows:

• Wed, February 22^nd
  • 4 - 6 Year Olds | 6:00p
  • 7 - 8 Year Olds | 6:30p
• Thu, February 23^rd
  • 9 - 10 Year Olds | 6:00p
  • 11 - 12 Year Olds | 6:30p
  • 13 - 14 Year olds | 6:30p

PLAYERS MUST ATTEND THE TIME SLOT FOR THEIR AGE DIVISION ONLY. If your child will be unable to attend the evaluation session scheduled for their age division, please contact the flag football program coordinator (Austin May | 704-735-2671 | amay@lincolntonnc.org).

When completing the registration form, please be sure to select the appropriate response regarding evaluation sessions. If your child played in our league during the Spring 2022 or Fall 2022 seasons, please select "Returning Player - No Evaluation Required". If your child played in our league during any other season, or if your child has never played in our league before, please select the evaluation day/time for your child's age division. 

Evaluations will last approximately 45 minutes. All evaluation sessions will be held on the flag football fields at Betty G Ross Park (800 Madison St, Lincolnton, NC). Players should wear cleats or athletic shoes and comfortable/athletic clothing. Players do not need to bring their own equipment (ball, flags/flag belt, mouth guard, etc). 

PRACTICES/GAMES:

Practices and games will be held at Betty G Ross Park (800 Madison St, Lincolnton, NC 28092) on our flag football fields! 

Practice and game schedules will vary by team; however, most will practice 1-2 times per week for 45 minutes - 1 hour. We are planning to schedule most practices on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings (after 5:30p). We are also planning to schedule games by age division as follows:

• 4 - 6 Year Olds | Tuesday evenings
• 7 - 8 Year Olds | Thursday evenings
• 9 - 10 Year Olds | Tuesday evenings
• 11 - 12 Year Olds | Monday evenings
• 13 - 14 Year Olds | Monday evenings

Please note: The proposed practice/game schedule above is subject to slight changes based on the final number of teams and field availability.

Due to springtime weather, practice and game schedules are subject to change once posted. In the event of any cancelations/delays, coaches and parents will be contacted as soon as a decision is made (most decisions regarding weekday activities will be announced that same day by 3:00p). We will do our best to reschedule any canceled games/practices, but we are not able to guarantee that all missed games/practices will be able to be rescheduled. We will try to reschedule most make-ups on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. If needed, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday mornings may be used to schedule make-up games/practices. 

Official practice/game schedules will be determined once teams have been drafted and coaches are assigned to their teams. Coaches will be given contact information for their players during their coaches' meetings. After that, coaches will begin reaching out to the parents of their players to notify them of their team placement and practice schedule. Any parent that has not heard from a coach by 03/12/2023 should call the Parks & Recreation Department office (704-735-2671) on 03/13/2023 and a staff member will assist you.

COST:

• Registration Fee | $55.00
• City Limits Resident DISCOUNT | $15.00
• Late Registration Fee | $10.00

Please note: The City Limits Resident Discount will be applied automatically during checkout. 

The registration fee covers the cost of 1 reversible uniform top (featuring an official NFL team logo), 1 mouthguard, and 1 flag belt (includes 2 flags). These items are required for game participation and will be given to each player by their coach before their first game. 

Players are responsible for supplying their own gameday shorts and cleats. 

Players are not required to bring their own balls to practices/games. 

Extra/replacement mouthguards, flags, and flag belts will be available to purchase at the concession stand (CASH ONLY). 

REGISTRATION:

Registration will be accepted online and in-person. Online registration is card only and can be submitted on our CivicRec/Rec1 page (click here). If you need assistance with online registration, please CALL our office (704-735-2671) during regular office hours (Mon-Fri, 9a-5p). In-person registration is cash or check only and can be submitted at the Parks & Recreation Department office, located at the Lentz Recreation Center (800 Madison St, Lincolnton, NC 28092) during our regular office hours (Mon-Fri, 9a-5p).  

VOLUNTEER COACHING:

We rely solely on volunteers to serve as coaches for our youth sports teams. We're always in need of head coaches and assistant coaches - however, head coaches will receive a $10 account credit at the end of the season for future use.* Prior experience is not required, and we are able to provide assistance with understanding rules and practice planning if needed. We do require that each coach (head and assistant) complete a Volunteer Youth Sports Coach Application once per year, which does include a background check. If you are interested in becoming a coach, please contact the flag football program coordinator (Austin May | 704-735-2671 |  amay@lincolntonnc.org). 

*The credit is given to 1 coach per team, and per team coached.