There’s a new sport on the block! Or more accurately, field.
Terra Linda has a wide variety of sports teams for both boys and girls, including football, soccer, lacrosse, and others. Sports are a great way for students to make new friends and get exercise! Over the past couple of years, Terra Linda has even added a couple of new sports, with the boys’ volleyball team being reintroduced two years ago, and girls’ flag football starting up this year.
This is flag football’s first season, and it looks like it’s going to be a good one. The team has been practicing a lot, and they had their first scrimmage recently against San Marin.
Flag football is a non-contact version of football where players wear a belt with flags attached. Instead of being tackled, they get their flags pulled. The game has a couple of different rules compared to regular football, including no run zones near the end zones to prevent contact and fewer players. Teams play 7-on-7 instead of 11-on-11, making it just as fast-paced and exciting as regular football.
The team was started by Terra Linda Junior Ellie Gilbert, who began developing it last year. Gilbert saw the lack of opportunities for girls to play football and wanted to do something about it. When asked why she loves football she stated, “What I love about football is how easy it can bring people together.” Sports teams are a great way to build community at school, and the flag football community is only going to grow stronger during this fall season.
The team has already made many wonderful memories together, including lots of time spent at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. The team went to a flag football jamboree with the 49ers and continued to be invited back. Some of their most memorable experiences include meeting Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, as well as meeting the entire 49ers team and watching a practice. Ellie also shared, “I had the opportunity to give a speech in front of many of the owners of the 49ers, explaining the importance of girls in football.”
Gilbert shared that her ultimate goal for the team is “growth, I’m hoping over the years more and more girls will be influenced to play football.”
This fall is Sophomore quarterback, Liv Offenbach’s first time playing the game, “I thought it would be fun,”.. Her favorite part of being on the team so far has been learning about a new sport, and she looks forward to throwing touchdowns.
Girls’ flag football is also growing nationwide. NFL teams across the country are hosting clinics and other events such as the ones TL Flag Football attended with the 49ers. Last February, California made it an official CIF high school sport, and New York and Arizona have also recently established the sport. The sport is gaining traction in the Midwest as well.
Terra Linda’s team is looking for even more new players! To become a member of the girls’ flag football team, email Ellie at eg42448@srcs.org, or contact athletic director Steve Farbstein. This new team is an awesome opportunity for girls to play a sport they couldn’t play at TL before. Hopefully, more schools in MCAL follow, and girls’ flag football will continue to grow.
It’s going to be a great first season for the Terra Linda flag football team so make sure to show your support!
