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Bonita Springs, FL - Southwest Florida’s first girls flag football tournament brought 24 teams together, providing local athletes with valuable competition and experience.
The Southwest Florida Summer Showdown marked a major milestone for girls’ flag football in the region, bringing together 24 teams from across the state for a one-day competition at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
The event, which was organized by Thomas McGuire, head coach of Bonita Springs Flag Football, exceeded expectations, with local teams gaining valuable exposure to a higher level of competition.
McGuire, who started the Bonita Springs team last year, explained that the event came out of the need for more local off-season opportunities.
"We had to travel to Tampa Bay or the East Coast for games. We realized we had the resources here to host a tournament, and we ended up with 24 teams from all over Florida," he said. Originally expecting 12 teams, McGuire’s tournament saw overwhelming interest.
Five teams from Southwest Florida participated, with each squad guaranteed at least three games.
While the tournament offered a chance for players to compete, McGuire emphasized the goal of raising the overall level of competition in Lee County.
Many teams in the playoffs have been established for years, and McGuire believes more off-season programs are necessary for local teams to stay competitive at the state level.
For players like Kylie Lawrence, the event helped build team chemistry. "These tournaments help strengthen our bond and improve our gameplay," Lawrence said.
The future of girls’ flag football in Southwest Florida looks promising, with the sport continuing to grow rapidly.