Flag football league continues to grow, driven by volunteers

Huron Perth Flag Football is returning to Exeter on May 2 for another season of football action. The local league got its start in 2024 and has been supported by volunteers since its inception.

By Dan Rolph

Huron Perth Flag Football is returning to the field for another season of local football action, and the organization is looking for dedicated volunteers willing to lend a hand.

The league first got its start in 2024 when Dave Levinson and his wife, Melanie, decided to start a local league in the region where football options are limited. With a history of travelling to London for football, the couple decided to bring the sport closer to home, but it was their children who gave them the needed encouragement to tackle such a project.

“We’re huge football fans,” said Levinson. “It took a few years of (our children) trying to convince us to do it.”

Now moving into the league’s third year, Levinson said they have continued to see growth with each consecutive season. For the coming spring season that starts on May 2, he estimated they will have about 160 players in the co-ed league that welcomes players from ages six to 17, representing a mixture of returning players and ones who are signing up for the first time.

“Each season, we do have quite a few new players that join us,” he said. “Whether it’s word of mouth or seeing some of our posts, most of it is just organic growth.

“Football has grown substantially in Canada in terms of popularity over the last 15 years.”

In particular, Levinson said the league that plays at Exeter’s community soccer fields on Victoria Street has seen growth in the number of girls getting involved, showing the sport’s appeal across the board.

“Football’s not just a boy-dominated sport,” he said.

Levinson attributed much of the growth and success that Huron Perth Flag Football has seen to their philosophy for the league: to create a welcoming and safe atmosphere where the players can grow.

“It’s the focus on coaching, positivity and the team atmosphere,” he said. “Yes, people can compete hard and they can be serious about their football, but it is just a game.”

“That’s the important philosophy of the league. As long as people are improving as individuals and having a good time and they’re getting better, that’s what we focus on.”

That philosophy is one Levinson said has been popular with parents, who regularly speak to them about how the league has improved the lives of their children for the better.

“Those are the things that are really encouraging for us,” he said. “They show us that we’re making a huge difference for a lot of these kids. That’s the whole goal.

“The atmosphere we create, I think, is the secret sauce.”

The league’s positive approach to the sport is one that seems to not only be popular with children, but with adults as well.

Levinson said they’re hoping to launch a league for adults that will include drop-in games on Saturdays, meaning there won’t need to be long-term commitments when people are looking to fit football action into their busy schedules.

“Every season, people connect with us and ask if we’re running anything for adults,” he said.

However, the league wouldn’t be able to operate without the dedicated community who helps to bring it all together. Whether it is businesses sponsoring the league and allowing them to improve their equipment, or the volunteers who sign up to coach, referee and help with the league’s operations, Levinson said they’re vital to the operation.

“That enables us to run the league,” he said. “We’re always looking for volunteers.”

As they ramp up to their spring season, Levinson said they are still looking for coaches, referees and students who may need community service hours.

Volunteers are the backbone of the league, and anyone interested in helping make the season possible is encouraged to reach out at huronperthflagfootball@gmail.com.