Longtime coach Tina Wagner teamed up with a few others who have worked since September to make the Cheatham County Youth Flag Football League a reality.
Now serving as the league’s president, Wagner said the group chose to pursue flag football in Cheatham County to open the opportunity to kids of any age, and avoid concerns of tackling, possible concussions and injuries. The league also offers cheerleading opportunities.
The Cheatham County Youth Flag Football League is open to boys and girls ages 3 to 14, and games are held every Saturday through July 21 except July 7, following the Fourth of July. July 15 will be the playoff date, and July 21 will be the “Super Bowl” on Cheatham County Central High School’s football field.
With the help of Ashland City Parks and Recreation Department Director Tony Young, Wagner said, the team plays on the old football field in Ashland City.
“If it wasn’t for Tony, (the kids) wouldn’t even have a place to play,” she said.
In its inaugural year, the Cheatham County Youth Flag Football League garnered 42 players, which Wagner said is “not a bad number,” considering the size of Ashland City and Cheatham County. Setting up at Summerfest in Ashland City, which was held June 5-9 in Riverbluff Park, also helped gain some exposure to residents in other areas of the county — including Kingston Springs and Joelton — who may not have heard of the league otherwise.
Wagner, who has coached the Montgomery County Youth Football League for 19 years, said the team is primarily about having fun, learning good sportsmanship and a love of the game.
She hopes that over time, the league can grow, and would consider expanding to include an adult league or teens older than 14 — though they most likely play on high school teams instead — depending on the demand.
Wagner encouraged those interested in participating, and any parents or community members interested in helping out, to contact the Cheatham County Youth Flag Football League.
The Cheatham County Youth Football League’s community day will serve as a fundraiser for the nonprofit league, offering food, a dunking booth, a bouncy house, games and more. The community day will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the City Park, 130 Beech Street in Ashland City.
Kelly Fisher, reporter for the Ashland City Times, can be reached at KPFisher@gannett.com, 615-801-3866 or on Twitter at @KellyPFisher.
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
