RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A recent monetary grant sponsored by the National Football League has helped to put area flag football athletes in a better position to succeed.
The Randolph Youth Center was selected from a pool of more than 400 applicants to receive a $2,500 grant, which has been used to buy new equipment and refurbish an already-positive grid program.
"In our flag football league, there are normally around 12 to 15 teams, with 10 or more kids on each team," said Jack Hayes, Randolph Youth Center sports director. "We requested a grant to buy equipment. It's something we always try to do - stay current with new equipment for the kids."
Rey Salinas, former assistant sports and fitness director at the center, was the driving force behind securing one of the grants, given to only about 50 of the programs that applied. Mr. Salinas ended four years of service to Randolph area youths when he accepted a job two weeks ago at the Rambler Fitness Center.
The youth center here is a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which announced the final selections for the NFL grants.
"The flag football program and other sports-related things allow kids to get involved and interact with peers," Mr. Salinas said. "It's a positive social environment and it's the same for the adults who volunteer as coaches and organizers. For kids or adults, learning to work with other people in life is important."
The money arrived in two increments and most has already been used to purchase new flags, jerseys, yard markers and other field signage, plus conditioning equipment for the kids, who range in age from 5 to 10.
"We start our tackle program at age 11, but the stuff we purchased will benefit the younger kids that play flag football," Mr. Hayes said. "Our new conditioning equipment is similar to tires, which you see (older) athletes running through, but what we got has ropes and bungee cords."
Play won't begin until the week after Labor Day, but sign-up for the Randolph Flag Football program has already begun and will continue through July 26. Organization of teams and final rosters will commence in early August.
Call the Randolph Youth Center at 652-3298 or go by the center, in Building 585 for more information.