The Oxford Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) received a $1,000 grant early this month to fund concession services and equipment for its flag football team.
USA Football, a non-profit organization that supports youth football, and the National Recreation and Park Association sponsored the Youth Football Grant.
According to USA Football director of communications Steve Alic, 450 applicants sought the competitive grant, but the organization saw promise in Oxford's financially deficient team. Alic said Oxford's application was approved to help its team grow.
OPRD Sports Activities Supervisor Simon Solomon said the Parks and Recreation Department's flag football program was founded in 2001.
Since its founding, the flag football program has shown great success, Solomon said. Currently, 60 to 70 Oxford area children participate in the program.
Solomon said the program helps bring the community together and serves as a replacement for the violence tackle football creates.
Solomon said the OPRD has applied for the Youth Football Grant in past years but did not receive any money.
According to Solomon, the OPRD plans to enhance the quality of the concession stand with the grant money and have the potential increased revenue from concession snacks help fund the refurbishing of sports equipment, which Solomon said is in dire need of repair.
Solomon added that the department has already purchased a 100-watt microwave and an indoor grill with the grant money to begin the concession stand upgrades.
The OPRD also has plans to improve the light source for night games as well as purchase new paint for the field.
Because the Youth Football Grant allows applicants to apply multiple years in a row, Solomon said the OPRD will continue seeking grant money to make the flag football program even better.
"We are happy about the grant," Solomon said. "We want to shoot for the stars and apply again next year."
