FIND A TEAMMATE
Learn to pass and work together to move the ball.
SUMMER 2027 · GARSTANG & SURROUNDING VILLAGES
THIS IS GDFFL.
YOUR FRIDAY
NIGHT STARTS HERE.
PLAYBELONGDEVELOPTHRIVE
A non-profit community league bringing Friday-night flag football to Garstang and the surrounding villages. New friends, new skills and a team to call your own. Beginners welcome.
Free to express interest. No payment or commitment at this stage.
WHAT IS FLAG FOOTBALL?
THROW. CATCH.
RUN. PULL THE FLAG.
The excitement of American football in a fast-moving, non-contact game.
Players pass, catch and run with the ball. Defenders end the play by pulling a flag from the ball carrier’s belt. There’s no tackling, and beginners can learn the basics together.
Boys and girls are welcome. You don’t need to be the fastest or the most experienced to find your place on a team.
SEE HOW IT’S PLAYED
Explore the game with NFL FLAG UK’s video guides, from the basics to throwing, catching and pulling flags.
Watch NFL FLAG UK how-to videos ↗MAKE THE PLAY
Build hand-eye coordination and confidence with the ball.
FIND THE SPACE
Carry the ball forward and help your team attack.
STOP THE PLAY
Pull a flag from the belt instead of tackling the player.
LOCAL KIDS. STRONGER TOGETHER.
WHY WE’RE BUILDING IT
LOCAL KIDS.
STRONGER TOGETHER.
We’re building GDFFL to give young people across Garstang and the surrounding villages a summer sport they can call their own: a regular team, familiar faces and a Friday evening to look forward to.
Flag football offers a fresh way into team sport. Children can start together, learn at their own pace and contribute in different ways. Our focus is on equal participation, encouragement and the confidence that comes from feeling part of a team.
We want families from different schools and villages to meet, parent volunteers to help shape the league, and older young people to gain experience through coaching and officiating.
GDFFL is being established as a Community Interest Company with a non-profit purpose. We’re building a league around local children and the community that supports them, with the aim of bringing everyone back together each summer.
OUR CATCHMENT
GARSTANG.
AND ALL AROUND IT.
We’re bringing together children and families from Garstang and the surrounding villages. The league is planned for school Years 5–11, approximately ages 9–16, with age-group divisions.
Garstang · Catterall · St Michael’s on Wyre · Churchtown · Nateby · Bilsborrow · Great Eccleston · Scorton · Calder Vale · Forton · Barnacre · Pilling · Hambleton · Out Rawcliffe · Elswick · Cockerham · Inskip · Barton
Final age eligibility and divisions will be confirmed before registration opens.
WHAT CHILDREN CAN GAIN
A PLACE TO GROW.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
All abilities welcome. Equal playing time is central to our approach, and all teams make the playoffs.
PHYSICAL WELLBEING
An active outdoor sport that helps build fitness, coordination and healthy habits.
FRIENDSHIP & BELONGING
Meet new people, become part of a team and feel connected to your local community.
SKILLS & CONFIDENCE
Develop football skills, teamwork and communication, with confidence that carries into school and everyday life.
LEADERSHIP
Opportunities for older young people to learn coaching and officiating with adult guidance.
A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT
A welcoming league for all genders and backgrounds, with safeguarding and volunteer training prepared before launch.
SEASON ONE · SUMMER 2027
FRIDAY NIGHT
FLAG FOOTBALL.
Regular teams. Weekly practice. A game to look forward to. We’re planning an eight-week regular season followed by playoffs and a championship finish.
All teams will make the playoffs, so every player has the chance to be part of the season’s final games.
FRIDAY EVENINGS
June–August 2027. Final dates and arrival times will be confirmed.
PRACTICE + A GAME
Planned 45-minute practice followed by a 40-minute game, with a halftime break.
ONE LOCAL VENUE
A central location for the league. Venue arrangements are being developed.
FAMILIES WELCOME
Support from the sidelines and enjoy being part of a local community game night.
Venue, final divisions, registration fees and facilities will be confirmed before booking opens.
THE JOURNEY TO OPENING NIGHT
BUILDING TODAY.
PLAYING TOMORROW.
The season-one plan brings the people, preparation and equipment together before games begin.
Season-one campaign illustration. Milestones remain subject to confirmation.
BUILD THE FOUNDATIONS
Incorporation, venue arrangements, insurance, safeguarding, funding and equipment planning.
REGISTRATION & PREPARATION
Confirm the season details, open player registration, recruit coaches and prepare volunteers.
TRY THE GAME
Planned taster and skills sessions, followed by team preparation, coach briefings and kit distribution.
OPENING NIGHT & REGULAR SEASON
Weekly games, player development and a community atmosphere on Friday evenings.
PLAYOFFS & CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT
Division finals, celebrations and recognition for the players and volunteers who helped make it happen.
THE PARENT & CARER GUIDE
WHAT YOUR FAMILY
NEEDS TO KNOW.
A local Friday-evening activity for boys and girls aged approximately 9–16, in school Years 5–11. Here’s how the first season is being planned.
THE RIGHT AGE GROUP
Planned divisions are Years 5/6, Years 7/8 and Years 9/10, with boys and girls playing together. Year 11 has separate boys’ and girls’ divisions.
School-year eligibility for the Summer 2027 season will be confirmed when registration opens.
A FRIDAY EVENING ROUTINE
Each week combines a planned 45-minute coached practice with a 40-minute game. The summer season includes regular games, playoffs and a championship finish.
Age-group times and the local venue will be confirmed before registration.
BEGINNERS BELONG HERE
No American-football experience is needed. Players learn to throw, catch, run and pull flags with their team. There is no tackling.
Equal playing time is central to our approach. All teams make the playoffs.
KIT & WHAT TO BRING
We’re planning league playing kit and shared footballs, flag belts and field equipment. Children will need suitable sports clothing, footwear and a drink.
We’ll confirm what is supplied and send a kit checklist before the first session.
YOUR ROLE ON GAME NIGHT
Plan to stay onsite, encourage the players and support the whole team from the sidelines. Parent coaches will guide the practice and game.
Safeguarding contacts and match-night guidance will be shared before launch. If you’d like to coach, training and support are planned.
COSTS & THE NEXT STEP
Expressing interest is free. It helps us plan the league; it does not reserve a place or commit you to paying.
The season fee, what it includes, venue and final dates will be shared before registration opens, so you can decide with the details in front of you.
INTERESTED FOR YOUR CHILD?
Tell us their age group and your village or town through the interest form. You can also email us with a question about your child’s participation.
For older young people: our Young Leaders & Officials program offers planned supervised volunteer opportunities for ages 14–18.
PARENT COACHING
YOU CAN HELP
MAKE IT HAPPEN.
We’re looking for enthusiastic parent coaches from Garstang and the surrounding areas. You don’t need previous flag-football experience.
- Training, resources and support planned before the season.
- A chance to share your child’s sporting journey.
- A supportive group of local coaches to learn alongside.
- An emphasis on encouragement, equal participation and enjoyment.
Volunteer roles will follow our safer-recruitment and safeguarding arrangements.
LEARN THE GAME. LEARN TO LEAD.
Young Leaders & Officials program
Our planned programme for ages 14–18 gives young people a route into coaching, officiating and mentoring, with training and support from experienced adults.
We want to work with local secondary schools and sixth forms to connect those opportunities with PE, sports leadership and activity beyond the classroom.
Ask about the programme ↗
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Learn how to plan activities, encourage players and help lead safe, enjoyable sessions.
OFFICIATING EXPERIENCE
Learn the rules, build confidence and gain match-night experience with guidance.
SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE
Practise communication, teamwork and problem solving, with opportunities to take responsibility and support others.
These are unpaid volunteer opportunities. Final roles, training and supervision will be confirmed before the programme begins.
LOCAL BUSINESSES & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
YOUR SUPPORT.
LOCAL IMPACT.
Help create a new sporting opportunity for local children. Community partnerships can support playing kit, equipment, venue costs, volunteer training and safe, accessible sport.
Our planned partner recognition includes the league website, social media and game-night branding. We’ll agree the opportunities with each partner as the season comes together.
Principal Community PartnerLeague PartnerYouth Sport PartnerFriends of GDFFL
PARENT QUESTIONS
NEW GAME?
YOU’RE WELCOME.
We’ll keep families informed as the season develops. Here are the essentials for now.
Is it tackle football?
No. Flag football is non-contact. Defenders pull a flag from the ball carrier’s belt to stop a play.
Does my child need experience?
No. Beginners are welcome, and coaches will help players learn the game.
Who can play?
The league is planned for school Years 5–11, approximately ages 9–16. Years 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10 have mixed divisions; Year 11 has separate boys’ and girls’ divisions. Final school-year eligibility for Summer 2027 will be confirmed before registration.
Where will games be held?
We’re arranging a central local venue. We’ll confirm the location, facilities and game-night times before registration opens.
What does expressing interest mean?
It helps us understand local interest and shape the first season. It’s free, does not reserve a place and does not commit you to paying a registration fee.
What will registration cost?
We’ll confirm the season fee and what it includes before registration opens. There is no payment at the expression-of-interest stage.
What kit and equipment will children need?
We’re planning league playing kit and shared equipment. Comfortable sports clothing, a drink and suitable footwear will be the starting point. Final guidance will follow before the first session.
Can I help as a parent?
Yes. We’re building a parent coaching and volunteer team. Previous flag-football experience isn’t required. Training and support will form part of our preparation.
What about safeguarding?
Safeguarding policies, volunteer checks, insurance and reporting arrangements are being prepared before launch. Parents and carers will be expected to remain onsite.
Can older children get involved?
The planned Young Leaders & Officials programme offers ages 14–18 supervised volunteer opportunities in coaching, officiating and mentoring.
HELP US BUILD SEASON ONE
JOIN THE
JOURNEY.
Families, schools, local groups and businesses all have a part to play. Register your child’s interest or get in touch to talk about how you could help.
Register your interest ↗Free to express interest. No payment. No commitment.