"It took three years to get here, but about 30 girls at Del Mar High School in San Jose have kickstarted the school's first flag football team. They don't have jerseys, and they're only planning to play four non-league games this season, but it's the start of what many of the team members consider a positive, trailblazing experience. It's such a big thing, especially because it's the first-ever year, junior Kimani Yarber said."
"The Del Mar program, a touch football sport for girls, was inspired by the students, PE Coach Kyle Ghazanfari said. A couple of girls had been asking and asking to start a team, he said, and I wanted to do it. Sophomore Jayleen Fuentes, one of the drivers of the program, said she believes the new flag football team creates a positive outlet for Del Mar's female athletes."
"I was originally a volleyball player, she said. I wanted to try something new, so I was really persistent about getting a flag football team together, because I know that in past years it has failed, and I didn't want that to happen again. Other teammates said they also wanted to try something different. Senior Nalani Jackson said, My sophomore year, they said they were going to start it, but we didn't have enough girls."
Del Mar High School students established the school's first girls flag football team after three years of effort, assembling about 30 players. The team lacks jerseys and plans only four non-league games this season, but members view the launch as a positive, trailblazing experience. PE Coach Kyle Ghazanfari initiated the program after students repeatedly requested a team. Players described persistence and a desire to try new sports; a former volleyball player led recruitment efforts. Senior players recalled prior failed attempts due to low turnout. The team's first game is scheduled at Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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