A new Brock University football league will help teach Niagara youths the X’s and O’s of the game, without the big hits.

The Brock Sports Youth Flag Football League will run Mondays and Wednesday from May 29 to Aug. 9 on the University’s artificial turf Alumni Field.

The league is part of the CFL Flag initiative, and is designed to be a fun environment for boys and girls between six and 15 years old who have either never played the game before or would like to keep playing under flag football rules.

“Brock has decided to run a youth flag football league because there are no other leagues in the region,” said Megan Locker, Intramural and PALS Co-ordinator, Brock Sports. “It is also another way to introduce kids to Brock University and all it has to offer.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with the CFL because their mandate matches our plan to extend our reach into the community and develop youth leagues,” said Brock Sports Director Neil Lumsden. “We have a great platform to build sport in the Niagara region and with the CFL at our side, flag football is a tremendous place to start.”

The league will include one practice and one game each week between 6 and 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesday (no league on July 3 or Aug. 7).

The cost is $125 per child and parking during league times is included in the price.

Volunteer coaches and assistant coaches are also needed for the league. Coaches will be provided with training, as well as the equipment they need to run the practices and games.

For more information on volunteering or registering a child in the league, contact Megan Locker at mlocker@brocku.ca