Norwich Girls Flag Football kicks off season opener Saturday at U-E (Photo from NCSD Purple Tornado Twitter)

NORWICH- This spring, Norwich will be participating in the girls flag football pilot program funded by the NFL and Nike. Norwich, along with Ithaca, Horseheads, Binghamton, Union- Endicott (with two teams), Chenango Valley, and Owego, will be the eight teams competing in Section IV.

According to the Norwich athletic department, the idea was presented in fall of 2021 by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). With powder puff becoming popular at NHS in prior years, this was a great opportunity to allow the female student-athletes a chance to compete more than once a year.

Norwich Athletic Coordinator Rich Turnbull, along with the support from the Board of Education, are “extremely supportive” on the idea and is hopeful for the sport to excell at Norwich.

“ We are hopeful that this pilot program builds steam at the section and state level so it will become a NYSPHSAA permanent sport,” Turnbull said. “It's exciting that we are one of the first to partake in this and we are hopeful that it becomes popular and therefore a permanent sport at NHS.”

Turnbull also explained the funding process.

“This year we received grants from the NFL to help initially fund the sport. The grant money helped us with initial costs for equipment, coaching salaries, transportation, and more. Nike also donated the uniforms for the program,” Turnbull said. “After the initial cost, the district will now absorb the costs for the future.”

Once the program was in place, it was time to select a coach. Norwich's Athletic Director Joe Alger and his staff asked Tom Rose. Tom Rose has an extensive football coaching background, coaching in Roscoe for three years as an assistant and seven years in Sidney.

Rose is very eager to coach these female student-athletes whom have never played football before.

“These girls have never played football before so the learning curve is huge. We are literally starting from scratch- explaining what the positions are, what the different receiver routes are, and how the quarterback can read a defense pre and post snap to make the best play decision possible,” Rose said.

He also praises the girls who have come off their winter sport to join his team.

“ Many of the girls played in Coach Josh Bennett’s successful basketball program so they know what it takes to be successful and to win,” Rose said. “They have been very dedicated and come every day to learn and get better.”

The Norwich girls flag football team consists of 13 girls behind Rose. The team will play in five games with two potential playoff games.

Norwich begins their competitive season on Saturday, taking on the Union-Endicott Tigers at 7 p.m.