UNF women's flag football gears up to join national league

Although the University of North Florida does not have a traditional football team, the school has rapidly growing flag football teams. Since its debut in the fall 2024 semester as UNF's first flag football team, the women's flag football team has grown exponentially in members, according to co-captains Trinity Castillo and Alexis Ellis. From having just barely enough members to make a team to now having 40 potential players at their first tryout for the fall 2026 season, the team already has tournaments and games planned for this fall, Castillo and Ellis said. A look into the 2026 season Initial tryouts were canceled due to stormy weather in the Jacksonville area. On Wednesday, August 26, the team could only get through warm-ups and two flag football drills to showcase the athletes' talents before the rain washed them out. However, the team hosted two more tryout days on Monday, Aug. 31, and Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. Once prospective players showed their talent, the team announced which 20 athletes earned a spot in an Instagram post. Growing from a six-person team to having a roster of 20 athletes is a huge step forward for the team, according to Castillo. More players would mean fewer disadvantages in games when one player is injured, sick, or has to miss a game for other reasons. The co-captains also said that even though flag football has no traditional tackles, the sport still carries a risk of injury. In the last decade, there have been approximately 22,000 injuries, most occurring as sprains or fractures, according to the National Library of Medicine. Having more people on the roster, as they collect dues, also gives them more leeway for travel and tournaments, Castillo and Ellis said. Castillo said that both the women's and men's flag football teams are joining the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Club Flag League, debuting in 2027. The new league is partnering with the NFL and holding a national competition. Castillo also said that her team is going to the tournament hosted by NIRSA from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8, 2026. Further updates about the UNF women's flag football team can be found on its social media. For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].