Tampa PAL Expanding Youth Opportunities with Flag Football
From the playing field to giving back to those who served, the Tampa Police Athletic League (PAL) is creating new ways for Tampa youth to get involved and connect with law enforcement mentors in their community.
On Tuesday, September 29, Mayor Jane Castor, Acting Tampa Police Chief Brett Owen, and Tampa PAL staff will highlight plans to expand PAL programming to include a new co-ed flag football program, getting more girls on the gridiron. PAL already serves as the home field for Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School’s girls flag football team. Girls flag football is the fastest-growing high school sport in the United States, surpassing 102,000 participants during the 2025–26 school year, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
The new program builds on PAL’s year-round programming, supported in part by City property tax revenue. PAL provides Tampa youth with safe, structured activities ranging from athletics to computer coding, marine education, gardening and creative arts. These positive outlets and relationships built with Tampa Police are part of Tampa’s broader approach to crime prevention.
"PAL gives young people a place where they can try something new, build confidence, and have adults in their corner who want to see them succeed," said Mayor Jane Castor. "A high-five on the field can lead to deep conversations and bonds that last a lifetime. As voters consider Amendment 3, it’s important to understand that public safety isn’t just responding to a 911 call. It also means investing in programs like PAL that give our kids safe places to go and opportunities that help prevent problems before they start."
This fall, PAL participants will also take part in a service project creating care packages for local veterans. Around Veterans Day, participants will meet with local veterans and personally present the care packages they create. Older PAL participants can continue their involvement through the Leadership in Training program, which includes college campus tours, career exposure, and practical life-skills training.
Following brief remarks, media will be invited to tour the PAL campus and see low-cost after-school programming available to all Tampa families firsthand. PAL youth will be on site, along with PAL staff and Tampa Police personnel who can discuss the program and its impact.