The City of Leesburg recently recognized the Leesburg girls flag football team during a commission meeting after an unforgettable inaugural season that made history for the program. In its very first year, the girls flag football team captured a Mid-Florida Championship, marking a major milestone for Leesburg Pop Warner.

The City of Leesburg has operated its Pop Warner program for more than 20 years, but this season brought something new. National Pop Warner introduced NFL Girls Flag Football, opening the door for expanded opportunities for young female athletes.

Girls flag football has seen tremendous growth in recent years, both statewide and nationally. With the sport now added to the Olympic Games, participation is expected to continue rising in the years ahead. Leesburg leaders said they were inspired to launch the program and were fortunate to have enough teams across the Mid-Florida District to compete in the inaugural season.

Winning a Mid-Florida Championship in year one was an incredible accomplishment and highlights the strong future ahead for the program, both in participation and continued competitive success.

“This success would not have been possible without an outstanding group of coaches and volunteers,” program leaders said, crediting the efforts of Marcus Niblack, president of Leesburg Pop Warner and recreation manager of programs, along with Korey Jefferson, Leesburg Pop Warner commissioner and athletic supervisor.

“As the president of the program, I am especially passionate about creating and expanding opportunities designed specifically for girls,” Niblack said.

Their leadership, commitment and passion for youth sports played a key role in building the foundation for the program’s inaugural season. Becoming the first-ever 14U Mid-Florida D1 Flag Football Champions was simply the icing on the cake.

Thank you to the City of Leesburg commissioners for recognizing this outstanding achievement.
For more information about City of Leesburg sports programs, visit https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/activities/recreation/index.php

Story by Fred Griffin Jr.