From field to life, Mecklenburg County hosts sports-focused life skills program

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Organizers say the goal is for work ethic and hard work on the field to translate into college scholarships.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is hosting a girls’ flag football program. More than a hundred girls ages 11 through thirteen are learning how the skills they have on the field can translate into life lessons.

“Team building, the competitiveness, how to work together, trusting each other,” Kiana Brooks, the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation youth sports supervisor, said. “All of those things are things that can take off the field and into real life.”

This is the third year of the program.

Brooks is partnering with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools to get more girls involved in a sport that could help with their future. She says the goal is for their work ethic and hard work on the field to turn into college scholarships.

“Girls flag football is now offered at the collegiate level; these girls can get scholarships for it and their learning it even earlier so they can have the skillset when they get to their high schools,” she said.

Lon’Dyn Baker, a 7th grader from Community House Middle School, is one of those taking place in the program. 

Baker plays both sides of the field. She chose flag football to tighten her skills and build relationships.  She’s encouraging other girls her age to consider playing to help reach their touchdown in life.

Her mom, Dinesha Baker, was not a fan of flag football for her daughter at first but is glad that she is gaining great yards in her new space.

“I didn’t know it was a sport for girls but now, she is doing her thing and going up from there,” Dinesha Baker said.

Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.


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