Renewed Commitment to Get Students Active Through FLAG-IN-SCHOOLS to reach 4,200 New Schools and 2.3 Million Additional Students
NEW YORK April 11, 2019 — The NFL, USA Football, GENYOUth and Fuel Up to Play 60 announced today the fifth year of the NFL FLAG-In-Schools Program, which aims to increase physical activity among youth by providing FLAG football resources to underserved school communities. Since 2014, the partners’ efforts have resulted in 9.1 million students becoming more active before, during and after school through NFL FLAG-In-Schools. During the 2019-2020 school year, nearly 4,200 NFL FLAG Kits will be distributed nationwide, reaching approximately 2.3 million new students. The expansion was made possible by a renewed commitment from the NFL Foundation, amounting to nearly $1.5 million.
There is interest in and demand for high-quality turnkey solutions to engage students in physical education. FLAG-In-Schools is a proven resource for schools and PE teachers, both scalable and sustainable, and inspires students, including boys and girls, to be physically active daily.
“Since 2014, when this ground-breaking partnership was announced between the NFL, USA Football, GENYOUth and Fuel Up to Play 60, we have provided over 16,000 school communities with FLAG Football equipment to equip and engage students in fun physical activity before, during and after school,” said GENYOUth CEO ALEXIS GLICK.
“FLAG Football is the fastest growing youth sport across the country. We are proud that we have had a direct impact on the love of the game and the adoption in school communities thanks to the incredible support of the NFL and all 32 NFL teams,” Glick added. According to a white paper issued by the Aspen institute, participation among kids 6-12 is up 39 percent, more than any other team sport.
“The NFL is constantly seeking to enhance the football experience for our fans, and the NFL FLAG-In-Schools program has provided access and opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities to develop their passion for football while staying active,” said DAWN APONTE, NFL Senior Vice President, Football Operations and Chief Football Administrative Officer. “We are also thrilled that NFL Legends have engaged and recognized participating schools throughout the country.”
New for the 2019-2020 school year, high schools nationwide will be invited to apply for kits, with a focus on growing female participation in the game, expanding our reach to a new population of educators and students who are eager for the NFL FLAG-In-Schools equipment and curriculum. The evolution of the existing curriculum will include a female focus with the support of SHAPE America and guidance from USA Football, advancing FLAG-In-Schools nationwide to inspire more young athletes and families to enjoy the fun and fitness of football. USA Football is the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
JAYNE GREENBERG, Project Director U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
– “The NFL FLAG-In-Schools program continues to grow at leaps and bounds and provide opportunities for our nation’s youth to learn and play football in a fun and engaging way. When educators open the curriculum this year, they’ll find a brand-new supplemental resource to address opportunities for students with disabilities and offer different options for activation and increasing opportunity for physical activity. With more than 6 million students in the U.S. with disabilities it is important that this program acknowledge, embrace, and provide access for all students.”
In the coming school year, 100 percent of school-based Boys and Girls Clubs of America will have FLAG-In-Schools kits enabling increased opportunities for students to be physically active after school in addition to the school day.
Plus, this year the program has added online tools and resources for PE teachers and coaches. The NFL FLAG-In-Schools program administered an in-person training for 200 educators at AdventHealth Training Center, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during SHAPE America’s National Convention in Tampa, FL, where more than 5,000 PE teachers are assembling this week.
To learn more about NFL FLAG-In-Schools and request a FREE FLAG-In-Schools kit, visit FuelUpToPlay60.com. To find or start an NFL FLAG league in your community, visit NFLFLAG.com, and for NFL FLAG-In-Schools updates and more, follow @NFLPlayFootball and @GENYOUthNow on Twitter and Instagram. And be sure to share your stories of best practices, positive youth development or how NFL FLAG-In-Schools has helped your school community address a specific topic using hashtag #LetsPLAYFootball.
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About The NFL Foundation
The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.
About NFL FLAG powered by USA Football
NFL FLAG powered by USA Football (www.nflflag.com) provides opportunities for children ages 5-17 to enjoy America’s favorite sport. With more than 400,000 participants nationwide, players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football, lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship.
About USA Football
USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance and grow the sport. As the sport’s national governing body, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizer of the U.S. National Team for international competition, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players.
About GENYOUth/Fuel Up to Play 60
GENYOUth empowers students to create a healthier future for themselves and their peers by convening a network of private and public partners to raise funds for youth wellness initiatives that bolster healthy, high-achieving students, schools and communities nationwide. We believe that all students are change-agents, who deserve the opportunity to identify and lead innovative solutions that positively impact nutrition, physical activity, and student success. For more information about GENYOUth, visit: www.genyouthnow.org.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is GENYOUth’s flagship program and is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America’s dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. The program additionally encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. As a result of the program, last year 14 million students made better food choices and are getting more physically active during the school day. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association/Foundation, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association.
Contacts:
Kenyah Jordan-Jackson
Gretel Truong, GENYOUth
Gehrig Parker, USA Football