Innovation

The cheer program was designed to give young girls a structured and welcoming way to participate in Louisiana Flag Football. Before the program existed, girls were already cheering from the sidelines but had no team, uniforms, or coaches. The league recognized that the interest was already there, so they built a full eight-week season with practices, routines, and game-day responsibilities. The program includes uniforms, bows, and pom poms, and the girls sign up just like the football players do.

Practices focus on warm ups, learning routines, and building timing and teamwork. Coaches support the girls by helping them grow more confident performing in front of crowds. On game days the cheerleaders lead chants, cheer for different teams, and often perform short halftime shows. The structure gives them space to express themselves and be part of the overall energy of the league.

This innovation directly supports the UN SDGs by giving girls a true role in youth sports, promoting physical activity, and creating social environments where they can build friendships and confidence. It takes something that naturally existed on the sidelines and turns it into an organized, meaningful program that benefits both the girls and the league as a whole.

Inspiration

The idea for the cheer program came from simple observation. Every weekend, the league noticed young girls cheering for their brothers, making up chants, and trying to be part of the experience. During the interview, Cody Sager described the moment the idea clicked for him. He said he saw a group of girls cheering together near the bleachers and realized they were already doing the work. They just needed a place to belong.

Cody said, “This league has always been about families. It did not feel right to keep growing the football side and leave the girls with nothing. When we saw how excited they were, it was obvious we needed to make something for them.” His motivation was rooted in equality and the desire to give every child the chance to be part of something, not just the ones holding a football.

This innovation reflects that mindset. It came from paying attention to what the kids wanted and creating a solution that made the league more inclusive. Cody’s inspiration wasn’t about adding another product. It was about listening to families and making sure the girls had the same opportunity to grow, learn, and feel confident.

Overall impact

The program has had a noticeable impact on both the participants and the overall atmosphere of the league. Since it launched, around two hundred girls have joined, with about fifty participating in the most recent season. Parents consistently share stories about how their daughters have become more outgoing, more confident, and more excited to come to the fields each weekend. Girls who were shy at the first practice often become the ones leading chants by the end of the season.

The presence of the cheerleaders has changed the energy of game days as well. Their routines, chants, and halftime performances create a more vibrant and engaging environment for families. The league now feels more balanced and inclusive because both boys and girls have visible roles in the experience.

Long term, the impact shows up in the way families talk about the league. More parents describe it as a place where all their children feel included, not just the ones who play football. The cheer program strengthens the community atmosphere and helps the organization stay aligned with its mission of giving every child a chance to belong.

Business benefit

The cheer program has helped Louisiana Flag Football grow in several meaningful ways. Because both boys and girls can now participate, more families sign up multiple children, which increases overall registration numbers. Attendance on game days has also gone up because relatives come to watch both the football games and the cheer performances. This leads to stronger community engagement and a more lively environment at the parks.

Retention improved from the program as well, because families feel a deeper connection to the league since it is a place that values all kids. That sense of belonging keeps parents coming back every season. The cheer program also enhances the league’s brand by showing that it is committed to inclusivity and creating opportunities for everyone, not just the athletes on the field.

It has also opened doors for new partnerships and sponsorships. Businesses are more willing to support programs that reach a wider range of youth and emphasize confidence, physical activity, and equality. Because the league created a space for girls to be equally involved, it strengthened its overall reputation and created new paths for growth.

Social and environmental benefit

The cheer program benefits society by giving young girls a place to grow physically, socially, and emotionally. It encourages physical activity through weekly practices, routines, and performances, directly supporting healthier lifestyles. It also helps build confidence, leadership, and communication skills, which carry over into school, friendships, and everyday life.

Socially, the program creates an environment where girls feel included and supported. They form friendships, learn teamwork, and gain the confidence to perform in front of others. Parents regularly share how their daughters have become more outgoing and more comfortable expressing themselves. This supports community well-being by helping children develop the traits they need to thrive.

This also advances gender equality by giving girls a real role in a youth sports setting. Instead of being spectators, they become participants who contribute to the atmosphere and identity of the league. It reshapes the perception of who gets to be involved in youth sports and creates a more balanced, inclusive environment for families.

Interview

Cody Sager, Operations Manager