Last January, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) approved a proposal to add Girls Flag Football as an official league Sport. Buena started recruitment for their program last spring and the team made its debut this fall and, as with any team program, these girls encountered many ups and downs. Unfortunately, they ended their season with an overall record of 4-13 and went 0-7 in league.
Michael Gianelli, the head coach of Buena Girls Flag Football has high hopes for his team and the new program.
“We’ve gotten a lot better, but so have the other teams…all you can do is just go to practice, put in the work and get better everyday.” Gianneli said.
Although the season is over, Gianelli has big plans on improving the team in different ways for the future.
“Having new strength and conditioning, and working with the tackle football program to synchronize ourselves, they have a lot of specific things that can help our team,” Gianelli said.
Coach Gianelli is still instilling confidence in his players, despite their losses over the years coach Gianelli is working with the team to teach them new plays and techniques.
Freshman Sydney Pena, a starting player on the team, is looking forward to getting better and is looking forward to working with Gianelli on her plays and techniques
“I would say he’s one of the coaches that has taught me a lot because I came into this not knowing how to play this sport and not knowing any of the rules and I turned out to be a starter.” Pena said.
It is going to take extra work to be able to stand out and be taken seriously within a male dominated field.
“We do just as much as the football players do; whether that’s conditioning or our practice.” Pena said.
