Conway to start 7-on-7 flag football league
Conway Parks and Recreation Department is beginning something new this summer.
The city is now accepting registration forms for its new 7-on-7 youth flag football league, which is planned to begin on Aug. 3. The league is for youth entering grades 1-6.
"This is another program for the youth that we get to add," Clint Brock, Conway Parks and Recreation program director said. "As the town gets bigger and bigger, our programs for the youth will grow more and more."
There are plans for four divisions, starting with first- and second-graders in the first division. According to Brock, each team will have eight games in the regular season over a span in a month. So, each team will have two games per week. It will also be a postseason tournament in each division.
"This will prepare these kids for their upcoming pee-wee football season," Brock said. "With the emergence of 7-on-7 football at high schools all across the state, I believe a program like this will benefit them before they get into high school. This will also help the passing game in the pee-wee football league."
Registration is $50 per kid and the last day to register is on July 10. Registration forms must be turned in to the Conway Sports Center at the Don Owen Sports Complex on Lower Ridge Rd.
"We already have an adult flag football league, so we thought that this could turn out well," Brock said. "Personally, I want 200 kids to participate. With it being the first time we really don't have a number to gauge on. There may be 50 or there may be 400. We really don't know until we see the numbers."
Brock also said that the coaches and teams will be determined after the registration numbers are in.
MOVING ON UP
The city's fall youth baseball program will be over at the new City of Colleges Park.
The complex has five ball fields, a full-size concession stand and a playground. The city's spring baseball season ended last Friday with the tournament championships. That was the last time the league was played over at the YBMA Fairgrounds before renovations begin on a new baseball complex.
"We look forward to going over there to the City of Colleges Park in the fall," Brock said. "They still have a little touching up to do, and some landscaping things to finish. Hopefully, they'll turn the keys over to us in the next couple of weeks."