Royal Air Force Lakenheath

Are you ready for some football?

Katrell Tyre, 12, Leopards running back and son of Tech. Sgt. DeJuan Tyre, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, runs past defenders during a flag football game at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Oct. 19, 2013. The Youth Sports Program offers children 5 to 18 a wide array of organized activities to help develop physical skills, to mature emotionally and socially, and to learn the importance of teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride/Released)

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Are you ready for some football?

Jonathan Ciero (right), 13, Leopards quarterback and son of Col. Mark Ciero, 48th Fighter Wing vice commander, throws the football to his teammate during a flag football game at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Oct. 19, 2013. The Youth Sports Program offers children aged 5 to 18 a wide array of organized activities to help develop physical skills, to mature emotionally and socially, and to learn the importance of teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride/Released)

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Are you ready for some football?

Senior Master Sgt. Brian Rutlege (left), 48th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment superintendent and Leopards youth flag football coach, leads warm-up exercises before a game at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Oct. 19, 2013. The Youth Sports Program offers children aged 5 to 18 a wide array of organized activities to help develop physical skills, to mature emotionally and socially, and to learn the importance of teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride/Released)

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Are you ready for some football?

Published Oct. 30, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --

Each Saturday kids from Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Mildenhall are making big plays and stealing the show during youth flag football season, while others are inside watching college football.

The youth center flag football program is designed for kids ages 5-14 to build teamwork, learn how to play the sport and have fun at the same time, said Amy Couser, RAF Lakenheath youth sports director.

"In all sports, the important thing for these kids at this stage in their youth is to understand team play and the value of friendly competition," said Senior Master Sgt. Brian Rutlege, 48th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment superintendent and Leopards youth flag football coach. "In flag football, they learn the value of teammates, cohesiveness and camaraderie."

Kids playing flag football are separated into four age groups to make equal competition.

According to Rutlege, kids ages 5-6 are just learning the basics of the game and have limited interest in the scores. At ages 9-11, kids start to understand the concept of winning and losing. Once they reach the 12 and older age group, they want to win.

The Youth Sports Program center flag football program doesn't keep official scores, but Couser can tell that the kids do.

The players on the Leopards flag football team say the results of the games each week provide good conversation pieces for them throughout the following school week.

Regardless of the scores, coaches aim to teach the objectives of the game to their players.

"As a coach, it's awesome to watch a 13-year-old player look off one side of a defense, and then come back to the other side and deliver a long pass down the field," said Rutlege. "The feeling when your team takes what you teach them and turns it into a victory on the field is something I truly enjoy."

Couser notices the sport has a positive effect on kids.

"It teaches them how to interact with kids their age and raise their confidence and self-esteem to build themselves into well-rounded individuals," said Couser.

"Friendly competition and sportsmanship are great teachers for younger kids," adds Rutlege. "Sports teach our kids how to enjoy a win, accept a loss and be gracious in both."