Wing '7 v 7' flag football league being organized for 2014 season

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey
  • 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEW CASTLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Delaware --  A '7 v 7' flag football league is being organized by two wing NCOs as a fun, athletic and morale-building recreational activity, with play to occur on Saturday afternoons of drill weekends starting Spring 2014.

Participation is open to all 166th Airlift Wing members. The first season is planned for April to September 2014, with play-offs October to November 2014. The registration deadline is the Feb. 2014 Unit Training Assembly, and a captains meeting will occur during the March UTA. 

Competition is to be held off-base, and league organizers have begun scouting out possible playing fields in the local New Castle area, said Staff Sgt. Brad Ferguson, a traditional member of the 166th Communications Flight radio shop, one of the two organizers. The other league organizer is Staff Sgt. Bren Calpin, also from the 166th CFT.

Ferguson came to the 166th Airlift Wing after six years with the 177th Fighter Wing, N.J. Air National Guard, and currently works full-time in Atlantic City, N.J. 

"Coming here, I thought playing flag football would give people something social and athletic to do on drill weekends," said Ferguson, who also emphasized building team camaraderie as a goal of the league. "I think it could be a fun activity for unit members to get involved with and help build morale."

A cadre of well-practiced players is waiting in the wings. Ferguson indicated that about 30 fellow Delaware ANG members have already started playing together this year.

A flyer with contact information is also posted on the wing Facebook page. Interested participants may email DANGRadioShop@gmail.com.

Look for more information from the organizers in the months ahead.