On Thursday, February 25, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will kick off the flag football season for more than 1,200 high school athletes with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation Girls Flag Football Preseason Classic, presented by AdventHealth. Now in its third year, the event will welcome nearly 50 girls flag football teams throughout the state of Florida to compete in the three-day, round robin-style tournament, taking place this year at the Tournament SportsPlex of Tampa Bay (9330 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa).
The Buccaneers preseason event is the largest girls flag football tournament in the nation, with teams representing 13 different counties scheduled to participate – including 21 teams from Hillsborough County and eight from Pinellas County. Games will take place on Thursday, February 25 from 3:45 – 8:00 p.m.; Friday, February 26 from 4:15 – 9:00 p.m.; and Saturday, February 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For a full list of participating schools, see below. The Florida High School Athletic Association Flag Football season officially begins play on Monday, March 1.
Media is encouraged to attend on Thursday, February 25 beginning at 4:30 p.m. for b-roll of the first round of games. At 5:15 p.m., Buccaneers Co-Owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Buccaneers coaches Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Ashley Jeffery of AdventHealth West Florida Division will speak with the student-athletes and be available for the media.
Media should RSVP in advance with Danielle Burns (720.234.1422 / DBurns@buccaneers.nfl.com). **Media will receive wristbands to be granted sideline access for the competition. Media will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing at all times**
Who: Buccaneers Co-Owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz
Buccaneers Assistant Defensive Line Coach Lori Locust
Buccaneers Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Maral Javadifar
City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor
AdventHealth West Florida Division Communications Ashley Jeffery
Girls flag football student-athletes and coaches
When: Thursday, February 25
4:30 p.m. – First round of games taking place
5:15 p.m. – Remarks and media availability with the Buccaneers and Mayor Castor
5:30 p.m. – Games resume
*Media wishing to attend on Friday/Saturday for photo/video opportunities should RSVP through Buccaneers Communications in advance*
Where: Tournament SportsPlex of Tampa Bay
9330 E. Columbus Drive
Tampa, FL 33619
About the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and Girls Flag Football
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation Girls Flag Football Preseason Classic, presented by AdventHealth, is just one of the ways the organization is committed to supporting gender equality on and off the field. Through the Buccaneers Girls In Football Scholarship, made possible through a $250,000 commitment from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation, the organization became the first NFL team to create an academic scholarship program for girls who play organized football and are passionate about pursuing a career in sports. The team also established the Jr. Bucs Girls Flag Football League, a first-of-its-kind league in the City of Tampa, where the Foundation covers league fees and equipment for girls at 24 Tampa Parks and Recreation centers. And the Buccaneers created the Jr. Bucs Flag Football Program, which grows the game of football in more than 90 Tampa Bay middle schools and supports over 35,000 female students every year. To learn more, visit www.buccaneers.com/community.
Participating Schools: 2021 Girls Flag Football Preseason Classic, presented by AdventHealth:
Alonso
Armwood
Belleview
Bishop McLaughlin
Bloomingdale
Braden River
Brandon
Brooks DeBartolo
Chamberlain
Classical Prep
Clearwater
Countryside
Crystal River
Dunedin
Durant
East Bay
East Lake
Freedom
Gaither
Harmony
Hillsborough
Hollins
Lakewood Ranch
Lecanto
Lennard
Leto
Manatee
Mandarin
Martin County
Newsome
Northeast
Osceola Fundamental
Palmetto
Pinellas Park
Plant City
Plant
Riverview
Robinson
Sebring
Sickles
Southeast
Steinbrenner
Sumner
Suwannee
Tampa Catholic
Tarpon Springs
Wharton
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