TeamX Sports: Youth NFL Flag Football - a sports alternative sweeping the valley

Photos by Alice Lipe • Available at http://ajlipe.photoreflect.com

QUAKERTOWN — At last, a community sports organization that allows kids to experience a genuine, exciting game of football without crossing family boundaries! If you’re looking for fun and festivity, equal playing time, fair play, coaches who care, limited practices, and Sundays free for the family, then look no further than TeamX Sports.

TeamX President, Mike Brown, began offering an alternative to the tackle football program back in 2006. This Fall will be the 20th season where TeamX offers the popular Youth NFL Flag Football program in Quakertown. Founded on principles of fun first and equal playing time for everyone, parents were drawn to the program because of its values and festive atmosphere created each Saturday. One need not be too far removed from the side lines to enjoy the family friendly music which sets the tone for the day.

“We wanted to create a program where kids could enjoy a competitive sport, play hard, learn the game, but be free from the external coaching pressure to perform and win. Equipping coaches with resources that focus on character development is the solution to eliminating the hyper competitive win-at-all cost mentaility that pervades youth sports in our culture. Sports presents unparalleled opportunities to teach character.”

Brown is not alone in his thinking. Prominent NCAA and professional coaches have shifted their focus towards coaching character and see it as actually increasing player performance. He cites Coach K of Duke who says that “character is the foundation upon which you win.”

Leadership, teamwork, courage, respect, humility, perserverance, are but a few examples. “What parent if given this alternative, would not want this for their child? We see coaching by character as simply an extension of family values and we are committed to its implementation.

This summer Brown plans to take his vision on the road, meeting with coaches and looking for additional coaching candidates who recognize how a character centered approach to sports can not only create an an ideal playing environment but more importantly can transform the lives of kids and a community. “We are looking for people who want to make a difference in kid’s lives. This is the essence of TeamX Sports.”

This Fall TeamX Sports will offer Youth NFL Flag Football in four locations: Quakertown, Bethlehem, Orefield, and their newest location at Salem Christian School in Macungie. In addition to Youth NFL Flag Football, the Quakertown location offers Youth Basketball and Youth Deck (floor) hockey in both Winter and Summer. For more info visit www.teamxsports.com or call Mike Brown at 610-282-1621