Ranch kicks off first flag football tourney

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Despite what the National Football League would have you believe, the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers aren’t the only teams competing for a football championship.

Lakewood Ranch will crown its own gridiron great at the community’s first Flag Football Experience Jan. 29 at The Out-of-Door Academy’s new Thunder Stadium.

Organized by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corporation, the inaugural experience will feature a daylong five-on-five family-friendly flag football tournament, a plethora of football-themed activities and more, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corporation Director Lori Basilone said.

The corporation is accepting team registrations through Jan. 24 online at its new website, www.lwrcac.com. Each team can have up to eight players and must have at least two females. Basilone is encouraging players of all ages and said she hopes to see parents playing with their children, school classes and more.

“We wanted to give people a chance to enjoy some family football fun,” she said. We really want to make this a community thing.”

Each team will play three games, with the top two teams advancing through the bracket. The tournament rules will follow strict guidelines to discourage physical contact such as pushing, grabbing and tackling, Basilone said.

In addition to the games, attendees can enjoy a variety of other activities, including a female field goal competition, music by Joel Fisher, face painting, a silent auction, a Wii competition and more. Members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization will offer giveaways as well as tours of Raymond James Stadium in the silent auction, and The East County Observer will host a booth at which guests can have their photos printed on a commemorative trading card.

The championship game also will feature drum line, cheerleading and mascot performances.

For more information, visit www.lwrcac.com or call Basilone at 757-1530.

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].

FLAG FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 29
WHERE: The Out-of-Door Academy, 5950 Deer Drive, Lakewood Ranch
DETAILS: Each team will play three games, with the top two teams advancing through the bracket. The top-three teams will receive trophies and prizes.
REGISTRATION: Due by Jan. 24. Registration can be done online at www.lwrcac.com.
INFORMATION: 757-1530