Kayla Rouse had quit competitive softball and was missing the camaraderie of team sports when her high school in the Savannah, Ga., area announced it was forming a flag football team several years ago. It seemed like the perfect opportunity, so she signed up.

As Rouse began competing, FCA Director Ashleigh Lund asked if she was interested in joining a new flag football club team the ministry was forming. She quickly agreed.

“The FCA club team will always hold a special place in my heart because of the way we respected each other and other teams, and the sportsmanship that goes into that is a big part of being able to play competitive sports,” Rouse said.

Rouse is currently a college junior and continues to play flag football while attending Georgia College & State University, but she said the experiences she gained with the FCA club team in high school allowed her to deepen her faith and taught her valuable life lessons.

“One of the biggest things I learned is the importance of stepping out in my faith and taking opportunities and risks, and having a community of believers to surround myself with that can uplift and encourage me,” Rouse said.

Rouse’s experience is similar to that of other girls who have also been involved in the flag football club over the last few years.

While soccer, basketball and softball are the most popular club sports for girls, FCA leaders in the Savannah area noted the rising popularity of flag football at the schools, they saw an opportunity to build God’s Kingdom.

The result was the club’s development, which allows girls from all walks of life and competitive levels to participate in a sport together while also being challenged to develop their faith.

“Being able to have these kids from January to June where they are coming to a consistent, character-building, God-focused place where they can hear about Jesus and play this fun game and then take it back to their schools – that was something we wanted to be involved in,” Lund said.

The FCA club began in 2022 with a single team, and Lund said it was a breath of fresh air as the girls were simply learning the sport and having fun. It also provided a more relaxed and toned-down competition level from traditional club sports.

“That first flag football season was one of my favorite seasons,” Lund said. “The girls just loved the game. There was a freedom to the sport.”

That freedom is what opened the door for the Gospel to be shared. To advance the goal of sharing God’s love through the club, coach Nick Grassi partnered with FCA to help. Grassi brought insight from more than two decades of experience with flag football and earned many accolades along the way.

“I love the Lord, and this has been a calling of mine to be a leader,” Grassi said. “What better way to give my time and talents back to the Lord than through what He blesses me with.”

Many girls join the club because they desire to learn and play flag football, but they might not be motivated to come to an FCA event otherwise.

“It’s been a good time for the girls to have good fellowship with like-minded people,” Grassi said. “I have seen girls from all different backgrounds, and they have all come together and been a part of FCA now.”

Reese Langridge is a sophomore in high school who has played flag football both at her school and with the FCA club. She said the club has provided her with an encouraging and supportive environment where she can grow.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s very fast paced,” Langridge said. “It’s helped me develop as a player playing with these high-level competitors.”

Grassi said his involvement as a coach simply comes from a passion for the sport.

“For the longest time I felt selfish because I was doing something I enjoy,” Grassi said, “but what I’ve learned is although this is something I’m passionate about, I don’t have to feel selfish because I’m able to share what I love with others: football and the Lord.”

Lund said they have helped meet the girls’ spiritual needs as they’ve supported them through various challenges and shown them God’s love while playing the game. She said it has also been a reminder of how big God is, as they have seen Him provide opportunities to connect within the greater flag football community and provide mentors for the athletes.

“To see how God uses flag football as another level of connectivity and community has been really special,” Lund said.

Rouse said seeing the involvement of coaches in the lives of the athletes both on the field and off was special, and that it also showed her how to search for and find the right type of mentors.

The club had a U14 and U18 team in 2023, and this year, the club will offer more teams and expand to additional counties, presenting more opportunities for ministry, growth and discipleship.

“You could tell there’s something different about our team because of our dynamic,” Rouse said. “We’re rooted by faith.”

As FCA ministry in the Savannah, Ga., area continues to grow, Director Ashleigh Lund asks for prayers for additional staff and volunteers, and that they would be sensitive to where the Lord is leading and how He might use the flag football club in the future.

-FCA-