The Washington YMCA flag football program got a boost from the National Football League recently. The YMCA and Washington Community Schools collaborated on an NFL Play 60 initiative grant and received $300 dollars worth of equipment upgrades. Play 60 is the National Football League’s campaign to help kids to be active for 60 minutes a day to help reverse the trend of childhood obesity. The NFL donated 10 footballs, 50 flag belts, and an NFL poster.

Josh Riffel with the Washington YMCA says the flag football season lasts from August to October for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Riffel, the defensive backs coach for the Washington High School football team, started to enlist high school players as mentors of the league three years ago. They help the youth through skills and drills training and help officiate games on Saturdays. Riffel says the collaboration is important to the Y because it provides an opportunity for youth in our community to receive mentorship from young student leaders and employees of the Washington school district.