This article was originally published in Kaleidoscope‘s Spring 2025 print edition. It is being published as a separate online article now for easy access.
Although the origins of flag football can be traced all the way back to the 1940s, the sport has only recently surged in popularity. Alongside its anticipated debut on the international stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, schools nationwide have been picking up the sport as part of their athletic program.
Four years ago, it became recognized as a varsity sport on Long Island, with Ward Melville at the forefront in flag football’s rise in the Long Island community. The team — led by Head Coach Richard Russo and assistant coaches Richard Seta and Matthew Rickert — is new enough for us to have the unique opportunity to speak to some of its founding members about the sport and their successes.
Q: What has this season meant for you?
Ophelia Rosenthal-Vincenti: It is my final season playing flag football in high school and the last one playing with some of my best friends on the team. It’s made this whole year truly special.
Julia Dank: I got to see the younger girls learn from us and grow so fast. I can’t wait to come back next year and see their accomplishments — taking over amazingly right where we left off.
Clover Van Der Velden: It’s really brought the team closer together as a family, especially because of our playoff spot.
Erin McHugh: This season has meant everything to me. It makes me emotional to think that this will be the last season that I will step on the football field with some of my best friends.
Q: Are you going to miss playing this sport and do you plan to continue it outside of high school?
Addison DellaPorta: I will definitely miss playing at Ward Melville because of the friendships I have made and the coaches who truly taught us the best way to play. However, I am going to continue to play in college at St. Joseph’s University.
EM: I will definitely miss this sport, especially all of the connections and friendships I have made with my coaches and teammates over the years. However, if Farmingdale State College starts a flag football team in the near future, I will definitely continue to play and help spread the program and the sport!
Q: What has this sport meant to you?
CVDV: This sport has meant coming together, finding a home, making forever friends and working hard as a family to accomplish big things such as reaching the playoffs bracket.
ORV: This sport has so much meaning to me because very few people get an opportunity like this. This sport was new to everyone, and we were one of the few schools who had this sport as an option so early on. Our coaches remind us that we are the pioneers for this sport and tell us how lucky we are to have been able to pave the way for younger girls since the start.
Q: What were some of your most memorable moments of this season?
EM: The most memorable moment this season was definitely our big win against Half Hollow Hills, as we have never beaten them in our program’s history. The team brought great energy and fought hard against the “toughest” team in our league.
JD: Some of the best moments from this season are when we are getting excited on the bus and dancing. It really brings us all together as a team and helps keep us motivated. Another great tradition we have is, after every touchdown, an underclassmen and I jump up and shoulder bump, helping us keep motivated and play our best.
Q: What advice would you give to future flag football players?
CVDV: Don’t take any practice or game for granted, even if you’re not in the mood. Continue to do your best because eventually you will graduate and decide if you want to continue playing this sport. At that point, you’ll look back and be proud about how you played.
AD: Enjoy the time you have playing, have fun with it and work hard to get where you want. Also, listen to your coaches during practice and really focus on every play. One play could make the difference in a game.
