Crys Sacco, Co-founder of the Utah Girls Tackle Football League, talks about how Football Matters for girls because it is more inclusive than other sports, how it boosts girls confidence, and brings families closer!
“There’s a GIRLS tackle football league in Utah?!?”
Yup! That’s usually how conversations start when I tell people I coach in the Utah Girls Tackle Football League.
I’m Coach Lambert of the Utah Valley Valkyrie and not only did I coach last season, my then 12 year-old and 14 year-old daughters played on the team. In fact this journey began when my middle daughter randomly said, “Dad I think I want to play tackle football.” They had a blast and having something in common to work toward brought us closer together as family. To our surprise, after some trepidation, even their mom got “football crazy.”
“Yeah but what about concussions and other injuries?”
This is where I quote my 12 year-old, she says, “I get hit and knocked to the ground all the time playing soccer and basketball, at least in football I’m wearing a helmet and pads!” That’s hard to argue with. Plus all the coaches in the league have to pass the USAFootball.com “Heads Up” certification to make sure they are teaching the safest way to block and tackle.
The next thing I tell parents is “Tackle football isn’t for everybody.” but for the girls that played on the Valkyrie, they’ll tell you, “There is no family like a football family.” We call it Ohana and it brought together girls that are three sport athletes with girls who have never competed in team sports and taught them to believe in themselves, and work together for a common goal.
Why Girls Tackle Football?
That’s the most important thing I tell parents? That Girls Tackle Football is a unique opportunity to be a part of a movement that will help fulfill the promise of Title 9 and bring gender equality to High School Sports! Think about the significance changes having tackle football for girls in High School could have for girls wanting to grow up to be broadcasters, trainers, high school and college coaches, or NFL general managers.
The NFL recognized the significance of this movement buy awarding Sam Gordon, Co-Founder of Utah Girls Tackle Football the inaugural “NFL Game Changer” award. Here’s the video, watch it and see what you think?