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Non-profit arm of RCX Sports aims to bring “Sports for All” through grant funding and programming initiatives for under-resourced youth  

ATLANTA, GA (July 18, 2024) – RCX Sports, the leader in creating accessible, inclusive youth sports experiences, today announced the launch of the RCX Sports Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing, promoting and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives in youth sports. The Foundation will focus on expanding opportunities for all children to experience athletics in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. 

“At RCX Sports, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy, camaraderie and life-long benefits that come with playing sports,” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “The launch of the RCX Sports Foundation represents our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more equitable youth sports landscape. I’m especially excited to see the Foundation’s impact on our Females in Flag initiative, which encourages and provides opportunities for girls to get involved in the game of flag football.” 

The news comes ahead of this weekend’s NFL FLAG Championships Presented by Toyota in Canton, OH, where the best NFL FLAG athletes will be competing in front of a national audience. More than 700,000 athletes competed in NFL FLAG this past season, with more than 2,800 making it all the way to the Championships. Thanks to the Foundation, more kids than ever will be able to take part in NFL FLAG. 

The Foundation will partner with community organizations, schools and youth sports programs across the country to provide resources, training and support to help under-resourced youth and families access these opportunities. Key initiatives will include providing scholarships and grants to underserved communities and advocating for policies that promote access and equity in youth sports. Partners with the RCX Foundation already include the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer (MLS). 

The first iteration of the Foundation’s pro sports partnerships came in April when MLS launched the MLS GO PLAY FUND, to support access to, participation in, and the growth of soccer for children across the country. As part of this initiative, the RCX Foundation will help administer the MLS GO PLAY FUND, which will provide grants to recreational soccer organizations to cover player registration fees.  

“Our goal is to create a youth sports culture where every child feels valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said RCX Foundation Managing Director Madison Cortese. “By working together with our partners and professional leagues and franchises, we can make a real impact in the lives of young athletes and build a more inclusive future and embody ‘Sports for All.’” 

“We look forward to continue growing the game at the grassroots level and increasing participation and access to soccer through these partnerships and the implementation of the MLS GO PLAY FUND and MLS GO PLAYBOOK,” said Kyle Albrecht, Vice President & General Manager, MLS NEXT & MLS GO. 

According to data from the NFHS, the national governing body for state high school athletic associations, girls participating in flag football nationwide has increased 32% since 2018, and is continuing to grow to the collegiate level. In addition, 11 states have now sanctioned girls’ flag football as a championship sport at the high school level. The Females in Flag initiative has already opened doors for thousands of female flag football athletes and will continue in that mission under the RCX Sports Foundation. Last year, Allison Gandlin was named as the first ever Female NFL FLAG Player of the Year at NFL Honors, and a new finalist will be announced at this year’s Championships. Through the Foundation, RCX will operate 8-10 college showcases for female flag football athletes in 2024, as well as operating flag football championship finals at the NAIA and NJCAA levels. Thanks to the Foundation, girls at any level will be able to chase their flag football dreams. 

As one of the first professional franchises to partner with the RCX Foundation, the Colts are providing resources to increase access for female athletes in NFL FLAG leagues across Indiana, including gear and funding to underserved middle schools and organizations around the state. 

The Grandview Field at the Izell Reese Community Center in Dothan, AL, also is a key component of the Foundation. Grandview Field is a multi-purpose sport facility with a full-size, turf NFL FLAG football field that can also be converted into an MLS GO pitch. The facility is also currently the site of an NHL STREET rink and Jr. NBA leagues, with a goal of adding renovated tennis courts for USTA programming. A Dothan native, Reese is committed to bringing “Sports for All” to his hometown. 

“Studies show the importance of kids being exposed to multiple sports as they grow up to improve both physical and mental health,” he said. “Through our partnerships with the leagues, clubs and governing bodies, we have a great opportunity to address the challenges these kids face to getting in the game. They deserve to be able to play any sport they want to, and through the foundation, we can help them chase those dreams.” 

For more information on the RCX Sports Foundation, visit RCXFoundation.org. 

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About RCX Sports  

RCX Sports is the premier youth sports operating partner for the NFL, NHL, MLS, MLB, NBA, WNBA and USTA. We provide officially licensed uniforms, comprehensive resources, and dedicated support, empowering league operators to run the very best youth sports leagues and events in their communities. 

By working directly with professional leagues and national governing bodies, RCX Sports is the only youth sports organization trusted by the pros to operate NFL FLAG, NHL STREET, MLS GO, MLB Pitch, Hit & Run, and Jr. NBA Leagues. Our mission is to ensure every child has the opportunity to play the game they love by making youth sports accessible and inclusive for all. 

For more information, visit www.rcxsports.com.  

About the RCX Sports Foundation 

The RCX Sports Foundation works to develop, promote, and implement diversity and inclusion in youth sports as the non-profit arm of RCX Sports. The foundation focuses on expanding youth sports opportunities so all children can experience athletics in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. 

Atlantic East Conference Announces Partnership with the NFL and RCX Sports to Sponsor Female Flag Football

ATLANTA, GA (June 5,  2023) – The Atlantic East Conference, in partnership with the NFL and RCX Sports, along with support from the Philadelphia Eagles, announced its plan to be the first NCAA Conference – Division I, II or III – to offer varsity female flag football with an anticipated start date of Spring 2025.

“Establishing women’s flag football has been a great honor for us and I am so excited to provide this opportunity for female athletes around the country,” said Atlantic East Commissioner Jessica Huntley. “The ever-growing high school ranks makes this a valuable step for our schools and the commitment to future growth with our athletic programs and women’s sports. I truly appreciate all of the guidance and support from the NFL, RCX Sports, and the Philadelphia Eagles.”

While varsity level status will not  begin until Spring 2025, there are plans to offer club level opportunities and weekend tournaments for all participating next Spring (2024). The first season will include five institutions – Centenary, Cabrini, Immaculata, Marymount, and Neumann.

“When we started our girls flag league, our goal was to create more opportunities for female youth athletes to play the game by providing them with the equipment and resources needed to feel comfortable and confident engaging in the sport they love,” said Jen Kavanagh, Senior Vice President, Media and Marketing, Philadelphia Eagles. “We look forward to continuing to remove the barriers facing female athletes and supporting the Atlantic East Conference in their endeavors to bring flag football to more women at the collegiate level.”

“I believe sports have the power to transform lives, so one of our goals at RCX Sports is to increase access to flag football for women around the country,” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “I’m excited about this opportunity with the Atlantic East Conference as the first step towards growing a new generation of college athletes.”

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, there were over 11,000 participants in flag football in 2018-19. Fifty-two teams across Pennsylvania and New Jersey participated in the 2023 Eagles Girls Flag League presented by Gatorade, Hilco and Planet Fitness this spring, while seven states – Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and New York – sponsor the sport statewide. More than 1,800 NFL FLAG leagues are expected to take the field in 2023 for athletes as young as eight-years-old up to 17 years of age. As flag football continues to grow, the Atlantic East institutions are excited to  provide those high school student-athletes the opportunity to continue with the sport at the collegiate level.

“The NFL, the Eagles, RCX Sports and the Atlantic East Conference working together is an example of how flag football can be expanded at the collegiate level,”  said Troy Vincent, Sr., Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations. “The Atlantic East Conference is showing tremendous leadership as the first in the NCAA to elevate Flag, which will provide access for female athletes to play at the next level and further pursue their dreams.”

“Since partnering with the Philadelphia Eagles last season to launch our Girls Flag Football program in the Philadelphia Public League, we’ve seen a rapid growth in the game across our city.” said Jimmy Lynch, Executive Director of Athletics for the School District of Philadelphia and President of the Philadelphia Public League. “Our hope is to have Girls Flag Football become a sanctioned sport in our state in the coming years and to continue expanding on these opportunities for our female student-athletes”.

Women’s collegiate flag football showcases seven players on a football field that is 40 yards in width by 80 yards in length. Each team moves offensively by running or passing a football, while the defense tries to “tackle” by pulling flags on the belt of the ball carrier.

“We are proud to be a leader in the NCAA in providing this opportunity for women athletes,” said Huntley. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the Atlantic East Conference continues to embrace the growth of women’s sports and this is just another step in our progress.”

ABOUT RCX SPORTS

RCX Sports is the premier youth sports experiences business, running and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments, and events. Working directly with professional leagues, national governing bodies, and sports-centric businesses, such as MLS, NFL, Jr. NBA, MLB, NHL, and NAIA, RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports by creating opportunities for all athletes to play.

For more information, visit rcxfoundation.wpengine.com.

ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST

The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a three-state area – Cabrini, Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, and Marymount University in Virginia.