PVDGFFL: 2023 Fall Season Week 6

Volume 5, Issue 24

PVDGFFL Wins Best LGBTQ Sports League

Thank You to everyone who voted! For the second consecutive year, the Providence Gay Flag Football League has WON the Options Award as the Best Local LGBTQ Sports League or Club. We're incredibly honored by this award and the fact that so many amazing people have chosen to join our ever-growing league!

Saturday's Forecast:

Week 6 Game Schedule

The most up to date schedule is available on our website and the SportsEngine app (iOS or Google). Check out all our teams including full rosters and current standings on our website.

Current Standings

Friends & Family Day Moved to November 11 👨‍👨‍👧👩‍👦🤟

Due to last week's rainout, we're moving our Family and Friends events to Rhody Bowl weekend (Saturday, November 11). All of our vendors and exhibitors have been notified and invited to join us during Rhody Bowl.

Flu + COVID Vaccine Clinic

Rescheduled for this weekend, please see updated information below.

PVDGFFL Volunteers!

On October 15^th, members of the Purple and Red teams volunteered for Sojourner House helping pass out water at the Pell Bridge Run. The event benefited Sojourner House and their efforts in providing safe shelter and services for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Learn more about the organization here: https://sojournerri.org/

Save the Date - 2024 Tournament Tryouts Will Be November 19

2023 was a GREAT year for our tournament teams, including two Pride Bowl Championships, a Gay Bowl Championship appearance, and countless league milestones.

As we look to build off the success of our 2023 showings, we'll be jumping into 2024 tournament preparations a little earlier than usual and with exciting plans for an expansion of our Women's+ tournament program.

Any player who wants to be considered for our 2024 Pride Bowl or Gay Bowl teams must complete this tournament interest form. In addition to the form, we'll be holding tryouts to ensure that everyone who wants to show off their skills has an opportunity to do so. Tryouts are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged.

Tryouts for our Open Division and Women's+ Pride Bowl and Gay Bowl tournament teams will be Sunday, November 19 from 1-3pm at our fields in Warwick.

We recognize that this time is shortly after the Women's+ 8's championship. We've made this plan in consultation with (and with buy-in from) the Women's+ captains and we're making accommodations for those players who will be playing in the championship earlier that day. The Women's+ tournament captains will be attending the championship that day to watch any players who are interested in being considered for the tournament teams.
Tryouts will consist of position-specific drills and a scrimmage.
All players will be able to choose whether to tryout with Open Division players or Women's+ players.

Holding the tryouts in November (instead of waiting until January/February as we did this year) allows us to 1) hold tryouts outside, where we have more space, time equipment, etc. 2) allows players to try out while they're still fresh from a season of football, instead of during the middle of winter 3) makes it easier for players to plan ahead/budget for tournaments, and 4) allows the tournament teams to practice throughout the winter and start team building activities. We believe this will make our teams even stronger next year.

More information about tournament logistics and an explanation of how teams are selected will be shared in the coming weeks. For now, we just want to put the tryout date out there so you can plan ahead.

2024 Board Applications Are Now Available

It takes a team of dedicated volunteers to keep our league running. Each year, we seek active league members to join our Board of Directors. If you'd like to help our league continue to grow and thrive, now's your chance!

Board applications are open through Sunday, November 19. Board responsibilities, positions, and applications are available here.

Interviews will be scheduled with all candidates in late November/early December. Elections will take place in mid-December, and the new Board will be announced in late December.

A Message of Love and Support

Dear PVDGFFL Family,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits in these turbulent times. As we continue our collective journey toward fostering an inclusive environment, it is essential to address the pressing issues of this month's onslaught of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism right here in Providence. Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion means confronting prejudice in all its forms and standing together against discrimination based on religion, spirituality, ethnicity, or any other factor.

Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are forms of hatred that have no place in our organization or our community. By fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding, we not only enrich our environment but also contribute positively to society as a whole.

To anyone in the league impacted by the recent threats of violence in faith communities in Providence, please know the league is here to support you.

Please reach out if you are struggling.

With love,

Jay

Director of DEIB