Key Takeaways
- Under Armour and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation collectively commit $1 million to the Click Clack: Next Era Grant for girls flag football
- The grant provides financial resources, equipment, apparel, and coach education through Positive Coaching Alliance
- Funding supports out-of-school-time organizations, state associations, and school districts working toward official high school sanctioning
- Under Armour will host 80 Oakland Unified School District students at a February 5 clinic during Super Bowl LX Fan Experience in San Francisco
Addressing Access Barriers in Girls Flag Football
Under Armour and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation announced a combined $1 million commitment to the Click Clack: Next Era Grant, a new initiative delivered by Beyond Sport focused on expanding access to girls flag football. The grant combines financial support with equipment, apparel, and structured coach education provided through Positive Coaching Alliance.
“Expanding access to sport is core to who Under Armour is as a brand,” said Flynn Burch, Under Armour Director of Global Community Impact & UA Next. “Click Clack: Next Era Grant reflects our belief in the power of women’s and girls’ sports and our commitment to creating safe, welcoming environments where young athletes feel they belong.”
The funding structure targets multiple levels of flag football development, from community organizations to state athletic associations working on official sport sanctioning.
Supporting Multiple Pathways to Participation
The grant prioritizes out-of-school-time organizations that provide structured play in communities with limited sports opportunities. Beyond funding recreational programs, the initiative assists state associations and school districts in advancing girls flag football toward official high school sport status.
Rick Jordan, Vice President of The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, emphasized the developmental focus: “Flag football offers kids a chance to discover sport or stay engaged as they grow. Our support of this program helps make sure more young athletes have the opportunity to play, connect with teammates, and build confidence through sport.”
The multi-partner approach combines Under Armour’s equipment resources, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s funding reach, Beyond Sport’s grant administration, and Positive Coaching Alliance’s training expertise.
Super Bowl Week Clinic in Oakland
Under Armour and USA Football will host a girls flag football clinic on Thursday, February 5 at 2:15 PM PT at the Moscone Center as part of the NFL’s Super Bowl LX Fan Experience. The clinic extends Under Armour’s Project Rampart initiative, which focuses on improving student-athlete experiences and academic outcomes through sports programming.
Eighty girls from Oakland Unified School District will participate in the clinic, receiving head-to-toe apparel and attending the USA vs. Mexico Flag Football Game scheduled later that afternoon at the Super Bowl Experience venue.
Building Infrastructure for Long-Term Growth
The Click Clack: Next Era Grant positions resources at strategic intervention points in girls flag football development. By funding community organizations, the program addresses immediate participation barriers. By supporting state associations and school districts, it targets the administrative and political processes required for official sport recognition at the high school level.
Beyond Sport has raised more than $28 million since 2008 to promote social change through sport, granting over $15 million to 557 initiatives across 81 countries. The organization provides both direct funding and capacity-building support for program sustainability.
Organizations interested in the grant can find application details and eligibility requirements at beyondsport.org/click-clack-next-era-grant.
via: Under Armour
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