The Eastman Raiders are offering a flag football program for the first time ever.

President, Gavin Don, says the program is for anyone, however, it may provide added benefits to beginners and younger children. “Most of the kids coming into flag football already play tackle football,” says Don, “or, it’s a player’s first foray into the sport.”

The idea to bring flag football to Steinbach originated when, Executive Director of Football Manitoba, Bill Johnson, approached Don last season. “Rather then kids in Steinbach traveling all the way to Winnipeg,” explains Don, “they come to us and play in our flag league.”

Don suggests the program may not have made its way to Steinbach sooner because of concerns that it would thin the tackle football program. “There have been questions raised previously about whether we would start a flag league,” he says, “but the club at the time, didn’t really have any interest in it.”

When questioned if national discussions regarding concussions were a factor in considering the program, Don explained, “Parental fear of concussions may contribute to the decline in some tackle program's numbers, but I’ve never had a parent tell me they’d only let their child play in a flag league”.

Don remains confident that despite the added option, the tackle program will match, or even improve its numbers over last season.

The flag football program will run from late April to the end of May, and will finish up before the tackle program begins around mid-July.

Registration will begin next week, with exact times and locations to be released.