Youth will have a new football option in Yorkton starting next April.
The Yorkton Flag Football League is set to launch with teams across a range of ages for youth.
鈥淲e felt there was an opportunity to give youth in the area a chance to play football with a non-physical approach,鈥� said Jeff Hannotte a driving force behind the new organization.
Hannotte said there are those who 鈥渨ant to enjoy football鈥� but are not looking for the highly physical nature of tackle football.
Since flag football is still football injuries can occur, said Hannotte but with 鈥減roper techniques and coaching we hope to lessen much of that.鈥�
The new flag football program will run from April into June, so Hannotte said it will also be an opportunity for some players from fall tackle programs to play football in the spring to hone some skills.
Hannotte said they are not looking to replace tackle football, but to offer an option in the spring.
鈥淲e hope our program compliments the tackle program,鈥� he said.
The new league will be based in Yorkton with practices and games at Drake Field in the city, Hannotte said they will welcome players from the entire region.
鈥淭his is for the Yorkton Parkland,鈥� he said, adding if a parent is willing to commit to driving their son or daughter to weekly activities they are welcome.
Longer term Hannotte said the league hopes teams in different age groups might organize in area communities such as Foam Lake, Canora or Melville.
The plan is for teams to be made up of eight-to-10 players, with games played five-on-five. At the younger ages teams are co-ed.
Teams are planned for six/seven, eight/nine, 10/11 and 12/13 as co-ed, with the 14/15 and 16/17 age teams split boys and girls.
The overall approach for the league will be for players to have fun.
鈥淭here are no scholarships, no Stanley Cup, at the end of this one,鈥� said Hannotte. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a fun kind of league.鈥�
Organized under NFL Flag rules, each player will receive a jersey and flag belt as part of registration set in year one at $125. Players will be required to have a mouth guard, and cleated shoes are recommended.
Teams will practice Wednesday evening and play games Saturday mornings.
Details on registration, including forms can be found at
And, there may be a league for adults too.
Hannotte said there has been interest in adult teams and they have brought on a director 鈥渏ust to run that part of the league鈥� if it is decided to go ahead with adult play in 2020. That will be decided at board meeting later this month.
鈥淲e鈥檒l make the decision then what the direction of that will be,鈥� said Hannotte.
