Ottawa University Director of Athletics, Janet Eaton-Smith, is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, unveiled on Thursday, January 16, 2025. This strategic collaboration seeks to grow girls’ participation in flag football and promote broader opportunities for young female athletes across the Kansas City metro area and beyond.
As a leader in the growth of flag football, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City is uniquely positioned to advance the sport. The partnership with Ottawa University—the home of a four-time national champion women’s flag football program—represents a significant step forward. Together, both organizations will focus on empowering girls to develop their athletic abilities and inspiring them to dream of collegiate-level sports and beyond.
Ottawa University has been a trailblazer in the world of women’s flag football, and we are incredibly excited to bring that expertise to this partnership with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City,” said Janet Eaton-Smith, Director of Athletics at Ottawa University. “By combining our resources and shared vision, we aim to inspire a new generation of
athletes and leaders.”
In 2025, this partnership will introduce two key initiatives:
- Coaches Training Program: In partnership with KSHSAA and MSHSAA, the YMCA and Ottawa University will provide essential training for high school flag football coaches as the sport expands into Kansas and Missouri high schools.
- National Flag Football Tournament: The first-of-its-kind national tournament will be hosted in Kansas City in June, spotlighting the growth of girls’ flag football and creating a pathway for young athletes ages 10 through high school to showcase their talents.
"Ottawa University’s success in women’s flag football has been a beacon of progress for the sport, and we are eager to share our expertise to further its growth,” added Liz Sowers, Head Coach of Ottawa’s flag football program.
The goals for this partnership are ambitious but achievable: growing participation in girls’ flag football in the greater Kansas City area by 50% over the next two years, building on the foundation laid by the YMCA’s long-standing collaboration with the Kansas City Chiefs. Together, these initiatives will align with the YMCA’s "Focus Forward" campaign celebrating its 165th anniversary, and Ottawa University’s 160th anniversary.
“I am thrilled about our partnership with Ottawa University, the nation’s top collegiate flag football program. This collaboration not only fosters growth in the sport but also inspires young girls to envision themselves as collegiate athletes,” said Paige Salveter, Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy at the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. “Together, we are creating opportunities for empowerment, inclusivity, and personal growth—whether it’s earning a scholarship or simply building confidence. By expanding flag football locally and nationally, we are cementing a legacy of impact.”
Flag football’s rapid growth is fueled by partnerships like these, which bring together the expertise of collegiate champions, the community reach of the YMCA, and the support of local organizations like the Kansas City Chiefs. This collaboration demonstrates the power of sports to unite and inspire across generations.
For more information about the YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s youth sports programs, visit KansasCityYMCA.org/Sports.