Today's Article

"It's really 2inspiring, it's fun to like see other girls play. And you kind of like learn from them a little bit, and you're like, 'Oh, that's how you do it.'"

"Because I'm a 3quarterback being a leader for my team. It's really fun."

The Optimist Youth Football 4clinic 5hosted over 150 girls age 7 to 17 Saturday, more than double the amount they had last year. Some athletes were returning to the field, while others were just getting started.

"This is really getting me back into being more 6competitive, getting ready to be with my team and leading it to a victory."

7Footwork, throwing, catching and of course flag pulling technique 8drills were all part of the clinic.

"In flag football, you have to be true technique, you can't touch them so you've got to be quick out of your brakes, quick on your feet, so I'd say that's a pretty big difference."

Laneah Bryan is a 9defensive player on the US National Flag Football team. She helped coach the girls as many of them were playing for the first time.

"And you can see differences right away, and seeing their face and their reaction to that 10improvement that's what we're here for."

The sport has gained so much popularity that it will be played in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, bringing women's football to the world's highest sports stage.

"A lot of things are possible in this sport, and it's 11endless at this point, especially with the Olympics coming up."

Like the pro player, the middle school girls tell me they're glad they 12discovered flag football and they're excited to 13pave the way for future athletes.