01
Sports
Real football. Throwing, catching, running routes and pulling flags, taught the right way from the first practice.
Season 1 · Ages 5 to 14
Big plays.
Bigger smiles.
Coed, non-contact flag football for kids 5 to 14 in southeast Wisconsin. Run by Certified Commissioner Jim Boldrey.
- Sports
- Friends
- Confidence
- Opportunity
- Next Level
Why NEXT UP
More than a game.
Non-contact, fast and fun. Built for kids who are new to the game and kids who already love it.
02
Friends
Teammates turn into friends. Kids show up for each other every week, on the field and off it.
03
Confidence
Every catch, every flag pulled, every rep. Kids watch themselves get better and they carry that home.
04
Opportunity
A place to start. The first step toward whatever comes next for your athlete.
The sport is taking off
Flag football is where youth football is headed.
+14%
While other sports shrank
From 2019 to 2024, kids 6 to 12 playing flag regularly grew 14%. Baseball fell 19% and tackle fell 7%.
#1
Most played football for kids
More kids 6 to 12 play flag than tackle, and it has been that way since 2017.
620K+
Kids in NFL FLAG
NFL FLAG alone serves more than 620,000 kids ages 4 to 17 in all 50 states.
2028
Olympic debut
Flag football joins the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, for men and women.
Sources: Aspen Institute Project Play, State of Play 2025 (SFIA data); Olympics.com, Flag football at LA28.
The league
How NEXT UP works.
Six-game season
Every team plays a six-game regular season, so kids get real game reps and a real shot to show what they learned.
Playoffs and a championship
The top teams in each division advance to the playoffs and play for the title. That is the part kids talk about all year.
One day a week
Practice happens right before the game, on the same day. One trip to the field, and kids use what they just learned right away.
Non-contact
Flag belts, no tackling. Kids learn real football without the hits.
Coed, ages 5 to 14
Boys and girls play together, kindergarten through 8th grade, with divisions by age so kids play against peers.
Close to home
For families across southeast Wisconsin.
Jim Boldrey
Certified Commissioner
Meet Jim
Run by a name families already know.
NEXT UP is run by Certified Commissioner Jim Boldrey. If your family has played flag football in southeast Wisconsin, there is a good chance you already know him.
Jim has built and run youth flag football leagues right here, and NEXT UP is built on what works: kids learning real football, divisions where they play kids their own age, and a schedule busy families can actually keep.
Got a question? Skip the form. Call or text Jim directly.
Pull the flag
Run it inBuilt for real families
What parents ask first.
“Is it safe?”
Non-contact. A play ends when a flag gets pulled, not when a kid gets hit.
“My kid has never played.”
Perfect. All skill levels are welcome, and the focus is on learning the game, teamwork and sportsmanship.
“We are already so busy.”
One day a week. Practice and the game happen back to back, so it fits around everything else.
“Can my daughter play?”
Yes. Every division is coed, and girls are one of the biggest reasons flag football keeps growing.
Kids today.
Leaders tomorrow.
How to get in
The playbook.
- Play 1
Join the list
Takes about a minute. Your name, how to reach you and your kid’s age.
- Play 2
Hear first
When Season 1 dates, location and fees are set, families on the list get them before anyone else.
- Play 3
Suit up and play
Grab your spot, meet the team and get on the field.
Season 1
Be first in line for what's next.
Registration details are coming soon. Put your family on the list and you'll get dates, location and fees before they go public.
- No payment to join the list
- Takes about a minute
- Hear before registration opens to everyone
Get involved
It takes a whole sideline.
Every team needs coaches, and every league needs neighbors behind it.
Coach or volunteer
Parents make the best coaches. No experience needed, just a whistle and a good attitude. Jim will get you ready.
Sponsor a team
Put your business on a jersey and in front of every family in the league. Local businesses are what keep youth sports going.
Where we play
Families across southeast Wisconsin
FAQ
Parents ask.
Is this tackle football?+
No. NEXT UP is non-contact flag football. Every player wears a flag belt and a play ends when a defender pulls a flag. No tackling.
What ages can play?+
Kids 5 to 14, kindergarten through 8th grade. Divisions are grouped by age so kids play against peers of similar age and ability.
Can boys and girls both play?+
Yes. Every team is coed.
How much time does it take each week?+
One day a week. Practice is scheduled right before the game, so it is one trip to the field.
How long is the season?+
Six regular season games, then the top teams in each division move on to the playoffs and a championship.
My kid has never played football. Is that okay?+
Yes. All skill levels are welcome, from first-time players to kids who already love the game.
When does it start, where do we play and what does it cost?+
Season 1 dates, field location and fees are being finalized now. Join the list and you will get every detail first, or call or text Jim at (815) 791-1727.
Do I pay anything to join the list?+
No. The list just makes sure you hear about registration before spots fill up.