This letter is about an incredible and growing sport that both boys and girls can enjoy. That sport is flag football. I am the father of twin daughters who just turned 18. They have played flag football in the Maine Girls Flag Football league for the past five years.

I have heard this story from my daughters and many other players in the league how their favorite gym activity was flag football — but that the boys would never pass the ball to the girls. Flag football is the fast growing college sport across the country and now kids in Southern Maine have a league of their own.

Maine Girls Flag Football leagues are available for high school, middle school and elementary school. All of the players are relatively new and learn very quickly. The players end up hugging and hanging out with players on the other teams after the games. It’s so nice to see a sport where there are no screaming parents, and the kids want to do well and win, but the absolute most important thing is to have fun and meet new kids.

This is a sport kids can continue in college; some could be good enough to get a college scholarship. My girls will be off to college now, but if you have children younger than 18 I would encourage you to seriously take a look at the league for them.

Scott Butters
Portland