Hollister adding 49ers flag football program

Hollister City Council members on Monday approved the launch of a 49ers-sponsored flag football league.

The city council on the consent agenda of Monday’s meeting approved $2,000 to partner with the 49ers and offer a no-cost flag football program for local youths.

According to the agenda: The free co-ed youth flag football program consists of eight weeks. Teams will be comprised of three coed divisions ranging in ages 7-15 years old.

The San Francisco 49ers provides each player with a set of flags, belt, a 49ers reversible jersey and a mouth guard. Included in the agreement is all the equipment needed for a successful flag football league such as stop watches, whistles for coaches, 24 game cones, coach shirts, referee shirts and game-day penalty flags.

The San Francisco 49ers website notes that the league started in 2018 and will commence in the spring of this year again.

The Hollister Recreation Department offers several no cost program and activities to the youth in our community, according to the council agenda. The no-cost programs include H.I.T.S Tennis, Nike Run Club, Junior Giants, Junior Warriors, Movies under the Stars, Treat Streets, Kids at the Park, and Exploratory Movement.

The programs age range is 7-15 years old while this excludes a desired age group of 5-6 year olds. With a majority of the Hollister Recreation youth sports programs, participation begins at age 5. In past years when the Recreation Department offered a flag football league, participants registered at five years old. Staff would like to continue to offer programs to this desired age group but prefer not to charge because once participants reach the seven year old bracket, the cost is free with the San Francisco 49er partnership.

For more on the league, call Hollister Recreation at (831) 636-4390.