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By Kris Harrell 

Staff Writer

Greenville’s junior athletes are finishing up the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department’s season of flag football, with hopeful plans for next year’s season.

This is the first year the department offered children the opportunity to compete in flag football, having launched the program after seeing an interest from some of the local children. 

“We actually wanted to start flag football because we had girls that were asking about playing football all together,” said program organizer Candace Gregory. “The NFL flag football league is a big time sports deal, and we didn’t know how active the kids were participating in it.” 

The department organized games every Monday, where teams with the parks and recreation faced off against each other in their local league. Additionally, each player received a uniform for their team.

Teams were split into age ranges, with two co-ed teams for each range: 4-5 years-old, 6-7  years-old, 9-10 years-old and children ages 11 and up. Coaches were responsible for organizing practices and instructing the children. 

“We had volunteer people in the community that coached, male and female coaches, and they do an outstanding job giving us their time,” said Jerome Harris, director of the Greenville Parks and Recreation. “[The children improved] from start to finish across the board. Even us {organizers] it was a learning experience, with this being the first time we did it. Everybody has gotten better — from officials to coaches to players.” 

So far, leaders have organized seven flag football games, with their final game coming up on Dec. 12. This season of flag football with the Greenville Parks and Recreation will end Thursday at 6 p.m with their last game at the softball complex. 

While this season may be ending, the department already has plans to make next season bigger and better. Registration for flag football will begin earlier next year, with a hopeful all-girls and all-boys team and possible games against teams outside the local league. 

“Parents, bring your kids out and let them play all the sports,” Harris said. “If you [have] any ideas or anything you think we should do, bring it to the table. You never know what might be available.”