Arete Prep’s First Girls’ Flag Football Team Leads the Way for Great Hearts

Arete Prep October 2, 2024 -

Arete Prep is making history as it fields the very first Girls’ Flag Football team within the Great Hearts network. Led by head coach Jason Bellomy, this pioneering team is a new athletic opportunity and a bold step forward for female athletes across Great Hearts schools.

Coach Bellomy, who has been with Arete Prep for the last eight years coaching boys’ flag football and basketball,shared how this groundbreaking team came to be. “About a year and a half ago, the athletic director and I were talking about starting a girls’ team. We wanted to see how the first season of girls’ flag football went across Arizona before we jumped in. Once we saw over 40 teams participate statewide, we knew it was time to launch our own team.”

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 18 girls joining a spring camp last year. When the fall season began, 16 girls signed up to be part of the team. Bellomy remains optimistic about what this team can achieve, emphasizing that they are learning the fundamentals of the game from scratch. “It’s all brand new to them, from the rules to the skills like passing, catching, and flag-pulling,” he said.

While the season is still young, the team’s development has been encouraging. Their motto, “One percent better each day,” shows their focus and determination on gradual improvement. “This season is about building a foundation and growing our numbers for the coming years,” Bellomy explained.

Assistant Coach and Coach Bellomy’s wife, Kim Bellomy, who also serves as Arete Prep’s girls’ varsity soccer coach and school counselor, reflected on the unique experience of building something from the ground up. “It’s pretty awesome. Being the first is important,” she said. For her, coaching girls in a traditionally male-dominated sport has been particularly rewarding. “These girls are athletes, and they really support each other. It’s been so much fun to watch them grow and bond as a team.”

The team’s excitement is tangible as they prepare for upcoming games and their progress is noticeable to the coaches. “We lost our first game, but in the second game, we scored our first touchdown, and the girls were so excited,” said Assistant Coach Bellomy. “You can see the growth already, and they’re fired up to keep improving.”

The players say it’s not just about wins and losses. They say the experience has been more about building friendships, learning new skills, and stepping outside of their comfort zones. Senior Alexis Nason, who serves as the team’s kicker and sometimes wide receiver, joined the team after being recruited by Assistant Coach Bellomy, who also coaches her in soccer. “I’ve never played flag football before, but it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve learned a lot, and it’s been great building friendships,” she said.

Junior Molly McClelland, who plays running back on offense and cornerback on defense, says she enjoys being on the frontlines of something new. “Being the first girls’ football team in Great Hearts feels special. It’s cool to think that we’re setting an example for other schools, and I’d definitely encourage other girls to try it, no matter their experience level.”

For now, Arete Prep’s trailblazing team is focused on building a legacy that will last for years to come. As the girls continue to improve with each game, they are proving that with determination, teamwork, and a little bit of courage, anything is possible.

This historic season marks the beginning of something special, not just for Arete Prep but for the entire Great Hearts community. As more girls take to the field, the future of girls’ flag football looks brighter than ever.

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