While there are numerous youth sports programs, many operate on a ‘pay-for-play’ basis, often excluding underprivileged and underserved youth. This is where ‘Lil’ City Big City Flag Football’, a unique nonprofit sports program, steps in. It’s not just about sports, it’s about providing opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them.
“Lil’ City Big Dreams is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mentorship to the underprivileged and underserved youth in our community through sports instruction. Lil’ City Big Dreams originated from a simple conversation about making a broader impact on the community. The initiative was tailored with children and their families in mind, recognizing that not everyone could afford sports participation costs. The aim was to eliminate the ‘pay-to-play’ approach, reducing or eliminating financial barriers for families,” Liz McCray, President of Lil’ City Big Dreams, told Webb Weekly.
She said initially, the organization comprised eight to nine talented kids from the community who excelled in football. The objective was to provide them with a larger platform to showcase their skills, understanding that many lacked the necessary resources. Fundraising efforts were initiated to enroll the children in a competitive flag football tournament alongside top-tier participants nationwide. By establishing Lil’ City Big Dreams as an official 501(C)(3) organization and raising necessary funds, the children and their families could participate in the tournament.
“Before we knew it, our organization had grown threefold and then quadrupled in size. Currently, we have expanded to four teams with a total of around 40 children. These teams have traveled extensively and taken part in national tournaments across different locations like New Jersey, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and the Philadelphia area,” stated McCray. “One of our most memorable achievements is being ranked among the top 100 teams nationally. At Lil’ City Big Dreams, we do not charge any fees for participants to join our program. Our organization covers all tournament registration fees, uniforms, and more. Thanks to generous donations, we have been able to provide children in need with new gloves, cleats, mouthpieces, apparel, and other essentials.”
The Lil’ City Big Dreams organization extends beyond flag football, actively engaging in community initiatives such as a community day. This event featured a complimentary flag football tournament for children under 13 years old. Additionally, participants and their families contribute to the community through volunteering at local events and supporting nonprofit organizations.
“We have also organized a range of Winter Formal events, providing the youth community with an opportunity to enjoy a special night out in town,” said McCray. “To further support our community, our organization is hosting a girls-only Flag Football camp on July 20 and 21, 2024. In 2023, the number of girls aged 6 to 17 playing flag football nearly doubled to almost half a million, showing a 6 percent increase since 2019. Currently, there are no girls-only flag football camps or female-only flag football teams in the area. Our aim is to expand the flag football community by offering a special opportunity for female participants to enjoy a safe space in football.”
For additional details and registration, please visit http://www.LilCityBigDreams.org.
