All Girls 10U Flag Football Team Wins Championship at Dallas Cowboys Stadium

Horizon West’s BNA Sports teams are quickly making a name for themselves in the national arena of flag football! Last year, we shared the news of the 8U Boys team winning the title for their division in the AT&T Stadium/Flag Football X Tournament, and today we are thrilled to share that BNA’s new All Girls 10U team has won the championship this year!

Though the 11-player SheIsFly BNA Elite Girls team got started just a few months ago in March 2023, they are not new to winning titles. These young athletes, ranging from eight to eleven years old, had already won the 10U Regional championship in July in Jacksonville. Following that success, the team moved on to spend a few days in Dallas, Texas playing at AT&T Stadium, the home field of the Dallas Cowboys! They competed in three pool play games and a single elimination tournament before taking home the title for their division along with real championship rings, just like the pros!

The team is part of the Horizon West NFL FLAG League powered by Brand Name Athletes (BNA) Sports. NFL FLAG is the official flag football league of the NFL and the largest youth flag football organization in the United States. BNA Sports is a local non-profit 501c (3) sports-based youth development organization with a mission to develop athletes psychologically, physically, socially, and emotionally on and off the field.

When asked what made him want to bring BNA Sports to Horizon West, BNA Sports President/CEO, Darrell “DK” Taylor said, “My purpose in life is to give back and provide youth with opportunities in sports that they may not have otherwise. My goal was to bring BNA Sports to life when my family and I decided on the area that we wanted to call home. Now that we are settled, BNA is here to stay! The youth talent here is unbelievable!”

The 10U team’s co-coach Mike Rodriguez, who has a 9-year-old daughter, Mia, on the team beams with pride knowing the championship was the culmination of unwavering efforts by all.

“Our girls showed tremendous confidence, teamwork, togetherness, and competitive spirit throughout their 4-0 undefeated path to victory. The BNA Sports program, including leader Darrell “DK” Taylor, coaches and parents, are so proud of the athletes’ effort and accomplishments since coming together as a team just 5 short months ago. To know that they have now won two tournament championships, back-to-back, and will now have the opportunity to represent an NFL Team (Jacksonville Jaguars) at the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl that is taking place right in our backyard, Orlando, FL, is truly a dream come true for everyone involved!”

And That’s Not All – BNA’s Additional Champs!

BNA Sports has established six travel flag football teams in the Horizon West area in just its first year of operation. Those teams are:

• 5U Co-Ed (5 years of age and under)
• 6U Co-Ed (6 years of age and under)
• 8U Co-Ed
• 10U Co-Ed
• 10U Girls
• 12U Girls

At the AT&T Stadium Tournament, under the bright stadium lights, not one more, but two more of our remarkable Horizon West teams showcased their exceptional skills and unyielding spirit. Both the 5U and 6U teams each also won their respective age division championships, too!

Taylor, who worked for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cleveland Browns football franchises added, “through my relationships with the NFL, I am able to help BNA Sports navigate through business relationships, sponsorship opportunities, and benefit from great partnerships that I have made over the years. We have so many exciting plans and announcements to share in the coming months for the BNA Sports community.”

So let the confetti fall and the music play, because these flag football teams have etched their names in the annals of Flag Football X history. They have not only conquered the field, but they have also inspired us to reach for the stars, chase our passions, and believe in the power of unity.

Congratulations to all the young champions! We could not be more excited to see what you achieve next!

Learn More: Free Girls Clinic Happening Sunday, September 10

BNA Sports is inviting the community to the Inaugural #SheIsFly x Mad Skills FREE All-Girls’ Flag Football Clinic and Combine at Water Spring Middle School 11:30am – 1:30pm. Open to girls ages 5-18, the free clinic will feature fundamental flag football skill stations, contests, and non-contact games in a high-energy environment. Athletes of all skill levels are welcome.

The coaches and organizers say they are thrilled to have a member of U.S. Women’s Gold Medal Winning National Team, Wide Receiver Madison Fulford, as well as additional members of the US Team join them for this free event. Their goal is to create a fun learning experience for girls of all ages from the Horizon West community as Flag Football continues to be the one of the fastest growing sports across the U.S. and, in particular, for girls! Those who are interested can, register here.

Learn more about BNA Sport’s local leagues here.

About the Author

Leah is our resident researcher and expert editorial writer for Horizon West Happenings’ Community Engagement Team. When she’s not creating content for the residents of Horizon West, you can find her playing at Disney parks around the world or scoping out the hottest healthy eats and trends in the Orlando area.

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