Touchdowns Ahead: Sunday Funday Sports Joins the NFL FLAG Football Family

Written By Michael Ockrim

Big news, Darien! Sunday Funday Sports is now an Official NFL FLAG league—one of 1,600+ programs nationwide that follow the same fast-paced, 5-on-5 rules you’ll see at NFL FLAG Regionals and the Pro Bowl National Championships. That means every player laces up with an authentic, reversible NFL club jersey, competes under nationally recognized safety standards, and gains a clear pathway to the sport’s biggest youth events. 

Why NFL FLAG Matters for Your Family

  • Pro-Level Credibility: All coaches and officials clear NFL-backed background checks and training.

  • One-Hour, Once-a-Week: Games only on Sunday afternoons—no weekday chaos.

  • Co-Ed & Inclusive: Equal touches for boys and girls, K-8.

  • Future Opportunities: Top teams can qualify for Regional tournaments and even the Hall-of-Fame-hosted Nationals. 

The Fastest-Growing High-School Sport in Illinois—Especially for Girls

Flag football isn’t just a backyard game anymore. The Illinois High School Association officially sanctioned Girls Flag Football in 2024, and the numbers are exploding:

  • 100+ schools fielded teams in the 2023 pilot season. 

  • 154 teams entered the first IHSA state series in 2024, with eight finalists battling for the inaugural title on Oct 18-19. 

  • Illinois joins 15 U.S. states that now recognize girls flag as a varsity sport—part of a nationwide surge. 

Local support is huge: the Chicago Bears sponsor clinics, All-State honors, and even hosted the first championship weekend. 

Your Pathway to the Hornets

Sunday Funday Sports is proud to serve as the official feeder league for Hinsdale South High School. Young athletes start with our one-hour Sunday games, master NFL FLAG fundamentals, and graduate ready to compete for the Hornets’ girls flag programs. Hinsdale South’s own varsity squad is already making noise on the IHSA circuit—so your child’s journey from first catch to Friday-night lights starts right here. 

Ready to Play?

  1. Combine Day: Sun., Aug 24, 2025—skill stations, jersey pickup, and fun drills.

  2. Season: Sept 7 – Oct 26—one game, one hour, every Sunday.

  3. Championship Sunday: Oct 26—trophies, music, and a shot at NFL FLAG Regionals.

Spots fill quickly—register now to lock in your child’s NFL jersey and join the fastest-growing game in Illinois. Let’s turn that weekend energy into end-zone celebrations!

Michael Ockrim

Meet the Mighty Oak

Michael Ockrim is a strength and conditioning coach and the founder of Mighty Oak Athletic in suburban Chicago, where he trains student athletes and families to build lifelong habits around movement, recovery, and nutrition.

He has more than 30 years of personal training experience and is a second-degree black belt in USA Taekwondo. Michael also serves as a group fitness instructor at Life Time Athletic and is pursuing a culinary degree at College of DuPage to deepen his understanding of performance nutrition.

He is the author of Death Resistant: A Common Sense Guide to Live Long and Drop Dead Healthy, which explores practical strategies for longevity through strength, mobility, and lifestyle consistency.

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http://www.MichaelOckrim.com
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