The Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation has announced sign up for the spring season of the Youth Flag Football League. Registration forms are currently available at the Nutley Recreation Department and online registration is also available at www.nutleynj.org. The league will begin play early April and is available to boys and girls grades 1 through 8. The fee for this program is $35.00 per child and the deadline for registration is March 19, 2010.

This program is designed to educate young people about football while emphasizing participation and sportsmanship. Players learn skills and lessons that help them succeed both on and off the field. "We are excited to offer this exciting new sport for a fourth season," says Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mauro Tucci. " This sport has exploded in Nutley with over 600 resident’s registered last season. Flag football emphasizes the fundamentals of the game without contact and more importantly, the fun of playing football without fear of getting injured.

Our goal is for the children to learn and enjoy the game, then potentially move onto our other football programs." The program provides young players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in non-contact, continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork.

Flag Football is a popular five on five game filled with fun and action. In this game, the offensive team plays for a first down at midfield and a touchdown in the end zone. Running and passing plays are allowed, although there are "no-running zones" at midfield and

near each goal line. The defensive team covers receivers, rushes the passer and grabs flags to make "tackles." Team jerseys, footballs and flags are provided.

"One of the great things about the program is its insistence on sportsmanship," Tucci says. According to the rules, if the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be

stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. "The Department of Parks and Recreation is always looking for new ways to improve and diversify and Flag Football is another example of that," Tucci adds.

A mandatory coaches meeting has been scheduled for March 23, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at the Recreation Department, 44 Park Ave, room 300.

Online registration is now available at www.nutleynj.org or you may submit your application to the Recreation Department, 44 Park Ave. For more information, please call (973)284-4966.

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