When Todd Humphreys received the call from Tommy Barton in March, he instantly recognized a win/win opportunity.
Humphreys is the president and a co-founder of the KFL (Kids Football League), an Owensboro youth sports organization created in 2013 with a host of new ideas and a progressive mindset. The relatively new league’s organization and success hasn’t gone unnoticed.
As the Greater Muhlenberg Parks and Recreation Executive Director, Barton is responsible for organizing youth sports programs. With a population of about 30,000 residents, Muhlenberg County struggles to field enough players for an entire football league, but can easily fill a team or two in each division.
In the past, Muhlenberg traveled to various Kentucky sites for one game matches or tournaments. Without league structure, each location was governed under different rules and age breakdowns. “Nothing was consistent,” Barton explained, “and communication was often an issue.”
“Once we traveled a considerable distance for a game only to find an empty stadium,” Barton laughed. “Our opponent had mistakenly thought it was our home game, and they were waiting for us at Greenville.”
By joining KFL Barton believes his Muhlenberg County players and families will enjoy not only consistency, but also the high ideals the league strives to achieve. “All sports leagues reward athletic achievement, but KFL also rewards character and academic excellence,” Barton said.
“I believe adding another neighboring county to our group will be fun,” KFL President Humphreys proclaimed. “We have enjoyed an excellent partnership with McLean County since the league began, and we always enjoy the annual weekend we play in Calhoun.”
Rather than playing all their league games at a single location, KFL’s approach is to rotate around various area high school and middle school football fields each weekend introducing players and fans to most of the area venues. Providing another win/win partnership, these KFL games offer the host site a fundraising opportunity for their boosters through concession sales.
Muhlenberg hopes to add one team to KFL’s 5th and 6th Grade Tackle Division and possibly two teams to the league’s 3rd and 4th Grade Tackle Division in 2017. More teams may be added to the 5&6 and 7&8-Year-Old Flag Divisions in the future.
Players may register today at KidsFootballLeague.com and enjoy an early bird rate discount.
