CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference announced it has adopted girls flag football as a sanctioned conference sport for the 2025-26 school year.

The move highlights the rapid growth of girls’ athletics and the evolving landscape of youth sports.

“One of the best parts of this job is watching what was once just an idea between a few student-athletes turn into real opportunity,” Western Hills High School athletic administrator Chloe Mayfield-Brown said in a statement. “The growth and excitement around girls flag football has been amazing to say the least — and I’m happy to have played a part in where we are now as an official CMAC sport.”

As one of Ohio’s most visible and competitive leagues, the CMAC becomes one of the first conferences in the state to formally integrate this fast-growing sport into its official slate of offerings.

What began as a pilot program fueled by student voice and community support has blossomed into a permanent part of the CMAC calendar — complete with league play, all-conference honors and a championship pathway.

“This moment is bigger than a game,” said Josh Hardin, who is the CMAC Commissioner and Cincinnati Public Schools District Athletic Director. “It’s about opportunity, equity, and the future. Girls flag football is here to stay. I want to specifically thank the Cincinnati Bengals and Taylor Conklin for their continued commitment and unwavering support of CPS and the growth of girls flag football. Their partnership has been instrumental in making this a reality.”

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced July 17 that it will sanction a state championship in girls flag football starting in spring 2026.

While the sport won’t be fully sanctioned in Ohio yet, the OHSAA and the NFL are counting Ohio as the 17th state to add girls flag football.

There are 80 high school teams in Ohio, with that number expected to grow.

Fueled by national momentum, including support from the NFL, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, and driven locally by athletic directors, coaches, student-athletes and school leaders, the program has rapidly gained traction and exceeded all expectations in participation.

“This is monumental,” Hardin added. “We are proud to be on the leading edge of expanding access to sports for girls, and even prouder to see how quickly our athletes, coaches, and families have embraced the game.”

Jabreel Moton, Woodward Career Technical High School athletic administrator and coach, said the first year of the sport was special and he can’t wait for the future.

“It feels good to know girls flag football is finally being taken seriously and getting the recognition it deserves,” Woodward Career Technical High School student-athlete Mylah Case said. “We’ve been putting in the work, and now we get to compete for something real. I’m proud to be a part of this program — especially for this being my first year playing.”

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Grand opening plans for the Clarence Hicks Sports Complex have shifted, affecting local youth sports schedules and community celebrations.

The outdoor grand opening event for the Clarence Hicks Sports Complex is now scheduled for Aug. 30 after being postponed due to recent unpredictable weather that impacted infrastructure setup, according to a community announcement.

Organizers said the event is expected to unveil Phase 1 improvements at the Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Complex and mark a significant milestone for the Rockford Park District.

Phase 1 improvements are planned to include an artificial turf field and stadium with an eight-lane running track, a throw and jump event area, a spectator area with bleacher seating for 1,000 people, a parking lot with solar lights and landscape upgrades, according to the announcement.

The Chicago Bears donated turf from the Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall to create a warm-up area. The total project cost for Phase 1 improvements is $7,564,313.53.

The Clarence Hicks Sports Complex is set to be the home for Rockford Park District Youth Sports Programs, including NFL Flag Football, NFL Cheer, Rockford F.I.R.E. Track & Field, Youth Sports Outreach, Rockford Wolves Youth Football, Chicago Bears Outreach Camp, AAU Northern Cross Country National Championship and AAU Cross Country District Qualifier. The 77-acre park has seen upgrades such as new scoreboards, fencing, bleachers, a turf playground surface, an asphalt path and a large shade structure.

For more information, visit the Rockford Park District’s official website.

This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. 

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is terminating funding for Michigan’s Solar for All program, which was designed to bring renewable and affordable energy to low-income communities.

The EPA recently announced plans to cancel its $7 billion grant program aimed at helping low and moderate-income households access solar energy.

Michigan had been awarded $165.1 million in federal funds to support investments in rooftop solar, community solar, energy storage, workforce development, community education, and technical assistance.

In response, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director Phil Roos issued the following statement:

“The state’s MI Solar for All Program would significantly reduce energy costs for thousands of Michigan residents, providing an average savings of $400 per family per year while creating approximately 700 high-quality local jobs, boosting the state’s economy, and supporting American businesses. By increasing Michigan’s energy independence, the program also builds resilience against power outages and extreme weather events. Regrettably, the EPA wants to retroactively cut funding for this vital program at a time when such initiatives should be prioritized. We are currently working with Michigan’s Attorney General to determine our next steps.”

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Date Time (ET) Game Commentators Platform Wed, Aug. 13 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 1: Puerto Rico (away) vs. Latin America (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 2: Mountain (away) vs. Great Lakes (home) Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 3: Panama (away) vs. Australia (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 4: Metro (away) vs. Southwest (home) Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Thu, Aug. 14 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 5: Europe & Africa (away) vs. Japan (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 6: New England (away) vs. Southeast (home) Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 7: Asia-Pacific (away) vs. Mexico (home) Mike Monaco, Tim Kurkjian, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 8: Midwest (away) vs. Mid-Atlantic (home) Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Fri, Aug. 15 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 9 Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 10 Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 11 Mike Monaco, Eduardo Pérez, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 12 Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Sat, Aug. 16 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 13: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 5 Loser Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 14: Game 4 Loser vs. Game 6 Loser Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Chris Burke, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 15: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 7 Loser Mike Monaco, Eduardo Pérez, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 16: Game 2 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN2 Sun, Aug. 17 9 a.m. Little League World Series Game 17: Game 10 Loser vs. Game 14 Winner Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, David Cone, Jess Sims ESPN 11 a.m. Little League World Series Game 18: Game 9 Loser vs. Game 13 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 19: Game 12 Loser vs. Game 16 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ABC 2 p.m. Little League World Series Game 20: Game 11 Loser vs. Game 15 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. MLB Little League Classic Presented by New York Life: New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, David Cone, Buster Olney ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes Mon, Aug. 18 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 21: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner Mike Monaco, Todd Frazier, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 22: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, Xavier Scruggs, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 23: Game 11 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner Mike Monaco, Chris Burke, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 24: Game 12 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Tue, Aug. 19 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 25: Game 21 Loser vs. Game 19 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 26: Game 22 Loser vs. Game 20 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 27: Game 23 Loser vs. Game 17 Winner Mike Monaco, Eduardo Pérez, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 28: Game 24 Loser vs. Game 18 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Wed, Aug. 20 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 29: Game 21 Winner vs. Game 23 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 30: Game 22 Winner vs. Game 24 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 31: Game 27 Winner vs. Game 25 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 32: Game 28 Winner vs. Game 26 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Thu, Aug. 21 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 33: Game 29 Loser vs. Game 31 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. T-Mobile Little League Home Run Derby Mike Monaco, Jessica Mendoza, Xavier Scruggs ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 34: Game 30 Loser vs. Game 32 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Sat, Aug. 23 12:30 p.m. International Championship Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Sebastian Salazar ABC 3:30 p.m. United States Championship Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ABC Sun, Aug. 24 10 a.m. Consolation Game / Third Place Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims, Sebastian Salazar ESPN2 3 p.m. World Series Championship Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims, Sebastian Salazar ABC

The old adage, “Defense wins championships,” tends to be correct in most sports, and last year was no exception when Napoli claimed the Serie A title, allowing a league-low 27 goals. The year before, Inter won the championship with a solid defense, conceding just 22 goals. Additionally, Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli allowed only 28 goals the year prior on their way to the league title. As you can see, a strong defense is crucial in securing championships.

Roma’s fifth-place finish last season shouldn’t overshadow a key achievement: they had the second-best defense, tied with Inter and Juventus. They conceded fewer than one goal per match (35), thanks to Mile Svilar’s excellent goalkeeping and a solid backline led by Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini. However, with Mats Hummels and Zeki Çelik often playing as third center-backs, Roma struggled to establish a consistent third member for the back three.

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They addressed that problem this summer when they acquired Daniele Ghilardi from Hellas Verona, who ranks sixth in our U-23 countdown.

Number Six: Daniele Ghilardi

Age: 22

Position: Central Defender

Shades of: Alessandro Nesta, Virgil van Dijk, Sergio Ramos

Who Is He?

Ghilardi came through the Fiorentina youth ranks before being shipped to Verona on loan during the January 2022 transfer window. The move was made permanent the following July for €2 million. He then cut his teeth at the lower levels with a loan in Serie C with Mantova. That was followed by a loan at Serie B side Sampdoria during the 2023-2024 season, where he was managed by Milan, Juventus, and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo. Those loans allowed Ghilardi to amass a lot of experience at a young age before moving back to Hellas last season.

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While at Hellas, Ghilardi earned a spot in the starting XI, making 21 starts and accumulating over 2,000 minutes in Italy’s top division. His impressive performance caught the attention of Massara and Gasperini, prompting them to bring Ghilardi to Rome. At just 22 years old, he has also progressed through the ranks of the Azzurrini, representing Italy from the U-17s up to the U-21s.

What Can He Do?

I won’t rewrite the book here. Richard Hough gave us the lowdown during our Ghilardi Q&A:

“He’s fast. Reads the game extremely well and knows how to use his physicality without diving in or making rash challenges. With his long hair and headband he just looks like a classic Italian defender, in the mould of a Nesta. He’s super calm, not a vocal player or one who gets involved in shithousery, so perhaps he can bring that calmness and discipline to Roma’s defence. He’s composed in possession and used to playing in a back three, but will have to get used to Gasperini’s more possession-based and offensive style of play.”

What Can He Become?

Gasperini may be known as an attack-minded manager. However, he’s nurtured many young defenders and turned some into stars. Players like Cristian Romero, Andrea Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini, and Giorgio Scalvini are just a few of the players who blossomed under Gasperini. If Ghilardi can develop into anywhere near the level of Bastoni, then this move would be a steal. However, even if he becomes a more relaxed Mancini, Roma will have done well.

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Hough cautioned that Ghilardi would’ve benefitted from one more year at Verona, but one has to feel he’s in the right hands with Gasperini. Given Roma’s current CB depth dilemma, he will be given every opportunity to start from match week 1. In an ideal world, Ghilardi becomes a defensive stalwart in the classic Italian mold, becoming a pillar in Roma’s backline and one of the regulars for the next generation of Azzurri with players like Giovanni Leoni and Diego Coppola.

Most American students (55.4% according to Project Play) participate in at least one sport each school year, and whether it’s for fun or for the love of competition, staying strong, healthy, and injury-free is always the goal. 

While parents push to keep their children moving, and the U.S. government works to get 63.3% of youth participating in organized sports in five years through the Healthy People 2030 initiative, wellness experts note it is important to always prioritize young people’s mental and physical health and safety.

“Mental health and dietary habits must be supportive of growth and sporting excellence,” Fiona Orlandella, founder of FionaFitness in Silver Spring, Maryland, told The Informer.    

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 30 million young people participate in organized sports, with more than 3.5 million injuries each year.

“By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains,” Johns Hopkins reports. 

Supporting student-athletes means taking a well-rounded approach — combining preventive care, smart conditioning, good nutrition, and the right mindset. 

As the school year kicks off, experts such as Orlandella, chiropractor Dr. Scot Kampmann and Sumi Epie, a functional nutritionist, empower young people and parents with tools they need to perform their best this season and beyond.

Balancing Nutrition and Development, Fueling for Performance and Recovery

With more than 15 years of experience working with high-performing student-athletes, Orlandella knows firsthand how vital dietary wellness is to physical performance.

“The balance between physical conditioning and diet, especially for girls who are going through puberty [is important],” Orlandella said.

She emphasized the potential long-term effects of neglecting opportunities to foster well-rounded development.

“The impact on mental and physical health can lead to serious, negative outcomes when girls,  and even boys, try to control their weight through unhealthy dieting,” Orlandella added, “which can lead to extreme weight loss and hormonal imbalances.”

By highlighting the connections between nutrition, conditioning, and injury prevention, nutrition experts offer some good news to those trying to improve their health and wellness: it doesn’t require a special diet or supplements. 

It’s about the right foods, in the right amounts, according to KidsHealth.org. Parents are encouraged to try adding fruit to salads or smoothies, bananas to pancakes, or blending kale or spinach into spaghetti sauce for a tasty boost of fiber, protein, and carbs.

Epie, a functional and metabolic medicine expert and CEO of NTMcore, said there’s also a biological side to developing positive relationships with food and fitness. 

“Parents are often eager to capitalize on their child’s talent,” Epie, a former student-athlete, told The Informer. “It is important to be wary of ‘professionalizing’ their love of the sport by tying the relationship with food to success outcomes. Keep all things in moderation and consult your pediatrician often.”

A developer of nutritional strategies for both professional and student-athletes, he touted the importance of hydration and learning what beverages help drive physical success. 

“Water should be your first choice. But if you are out in the heat, going harder for longer, a sports drink that balances electrolytes is a good choice,” the nutritionist said. “I recommend that parents take responsibility for what their child consumes and avoid caffeine-based drinks for children.”

Training by Age and Stage

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in their 2023 paper “The Impact of Adolescent Development on Fitness & Conditioning Age and Stage,” provides age-specific coaching tips, while emphasizing how to meet kids where they are.

To build endurance naturally, without requiring advanced skill, children under 8 years old respond well to unstructured play—building forts or engaging in imaginative games with movement. Between ages 9 and 14, kids become more socially aware, marking a pivotal time to introduce skill-building in strength, speed, and endurance, while teaching them to measure improvement against themselves, not others.

“Youth practitioners are encouraged to monitor the age and stage of growth and development for the youth athlete,” according to ACSM.

With 32 years of clinical experience treating injured athletes, Kampmann, a licensed chiropractor based in Baltimore, also encourages building strength with close care and skill.

“I often warn parents and coaches to avoid doing too much too fast,” he told The Informer. “Early indicators of athletic potential should be protected with regular adjustments.” 

This is especially common among swimmers, skaters, and gymnasts whose parents often pack in long training sessions before and after school.

Additionally, Kampmann broke down some common misconceptions of physical workouts, further highlighting the body’s natural ability to adapt to the training it’s repeatedly exposed to. 

“Lifting weights does not create stability,” he told The Informer. “The current trend of building a muscular gym body may look attractive and even appealing, but it does not maximize the ‘form dictates function’ rule.” 

In other words, if athletes only train for strength, they may lack agility or stability. 

“We have all seen muscle-bound bodies that do not have flexibility,” the chiropractor explained, “hence they have no flexibility to survive sudden lateral twists or movements.”

Mental Toughness, Self-Worth and Winning Within

Winning is often the goal in competitive sports — but experts and athletes alike note that learning to navigate setbacks is just as important. 

“​​People put too much seriousness into success and failure, especially on a basketball court. If you take a shot, you can only do two things: make it or miss. That’s how simple it is, and that’s what you try to get to your kids, so they’re not afraid of that simple act,” celebrated basketball player Michael Jordan once told a group of parents.

Parents, coaches, and counselors can play a key role in helping athletes bounce back after a loss and build emotional resilience, and that starts with separating the athlete’s identity from performance. 

“You don’t put the end of the world on [making a shot] and kids sometimes have a tendency to do that,” Jordan, a three-time All-Star MVP, continued. “So as a parent, you have to simplify as much as possible to show them that either way, ‘I still love you if you miss that shot.’” 

As they gear up for the sports season, health and fitness professionals suggest taking time to check in with young athletes, ask about their goals and be sure to engage with them throughout the year. 

Orlandella encourages youth to listen to their body and mind, build trust within teams and coaches, and speak up when something doesn’t feel right. With the right support, there’s opportunity for an enjoyable, winning season.

“The mind-body connection becomes unconscious muscle memory,” Orlandella told The Informer. “Building this connection will ensure decades of expert performance in the years to come”