FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Multi-year partnership will provide funding and resources to local park and recreation agencies, including dedicated support for girls’ flag football
ATLANTA – September 28, 2026 – RCX Sports, the official operator of NFL FLAG, and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) today announced a multi-year partnership to expand access to youth flag football through local park and recreation agencies across the country.
Through the partnership, NFL FLAG, RCX Sports and NRPA will provide local agencies with resources and support to help launch and grow NFL FLAG programs.
As part of the partnership, funding will be made available to NRPA member agencies through the NFL FLAG Fund via the RCX Sports Foundation. A portion will support NFL FLAG league growth, while another portion will support girls’ flag football initiatives. Funds can be used to start new leagues and support equipment, staffing, uniforms, scholarships, marketing, facility improvements, clinics and other programming designed to increase and sustain girls’ participation in sports.
“Parks and recreation programs are often where kids first fall in love with sports, and they play a critical role in making sure every kid has the opportunity to get in the game,” said Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports. “Partnering with NRPA allows us to bring NFL FLAG to more communities, give local leaders the resources they need to grow the game and create even more opportunities for girls to play.”
“Every child deserves to experience the joy, confidence and sense of belonging that sports can provide, and park and recreation agencies are uniquely positioned to make that possible,” said Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of NRPA. “Parks and recreation reaches more than 50 million youth annually, and is one of the largest providers of youth sports in the nation. We are grateful that this partnership will do that — expand programs, get more young people in the game, and increase opportunities for girls. NFL Flag and parks and recreation is a natural partnership that will build lifelong skills and strengthen communities.”
“Local park and recreation agencies are among the most important community hubs for young people, bringing kids and families together through shared experiences and providing safe, accessible places to play,” said Stephanie Kwok, NFL VP of Flag Football. “For many athletes, these spaces are where a lifelong love of football begins. Through this partnership, we’re leveraging the trusted relationships, facilities and community reach of park and recreation agencies around the country to introduce more young people to NFL FLAG, expand opportunities for girls and create additional pathways for youth to discover all that football can offer.”
NRPA will work with NFL FLAG and RCX Sports to identify areas where additional flag football programming can make an impact and connect the organizations with local park and recreation agencies. The collaboration will also include outreach to NRPA members, educational and promotional programming and connections between local agencies and NFL Clubs where applicable.
NFL FLAG will also support NRPA’s Get Her in the Game initiative, which aims to create more welcoming sports environments for girls and remove barriers to participation. In addition to dedicated funding for girls’ flag football, the organizations will explore clinics, events, mentorship and leadership programming, along with storytelling highlighting girls participating in park and recreation-based NFL FLAG programs.
The partnership will extend to NRPA’s national events, including educational programming at the NRPA Annual Conference and NRPA Youth Sports Summit. The organizations will also explore ways to connect local park and recreation agencies with NFL events and initiatives across the country.
NFL FLAG, RCX Sports and NRPA will also bring together stakeholders across the youth sports landscape to identify additional ways to expand access through funding, partnerships and community-based programming.
About RCX Sports
RCX Sports is the leader in youth sports experiences, operating and partnering with leagues, events and brands to engage and empower the next generation of athletes. As the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB, RCX Sports delivers officially licensed uniforms, comprehensive resources and full support to empower league operators to create high-quality youth sports experiences in their communities. Committed to making youth sports accessible and inclusive, RCX Sports creates opportunities for athletes to play and benefit from the transformative power of sports. For more information, visit rcxsports.com.
About NFL FLAG
NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 2,000 locally operated leagues and nearly 1 million youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 68,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and supporters — the catalysts for positive change in service of parks for all, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.
Media Contacts
RCX Sports
Julian Galano
julian@22-spring.com
