Jennifer Townsel was a vendor last year when a pair of Atlantic City men held their first flag football tournament to help combat bullying.
But she won’t be on the sidelines Sunday when Brothers Over Bullies puts the focus on women with the first Sisters Bowl.
“It’s only right that we try to get the young ladies out and get them involved,” said Townsel, 34.
“It’s about time we had something geared toward women,” said Lamont Carson, who started “Brothers Over Bullies” with friend Dayshawn Reynolds in response to what they were hearing while working with kids at the city’s Boys and Girls Club.
They reached out to four local brand, who each gathered a team of as many as 15 players, providing them with uniforms and scheduling practices.
Stay Hungry will face off against ZiQue and LS4 against Pure Blend.
Pictured above: The women of Team LS4 show their pride.
“I used to play for the women’s league in Somers Point a few years ago, so I was excited to hear something positive, sports-wise, for women coming to Atlantic City,” said Ariel Palin, 28, who is part of Team Pure Blend with Townsel.
“It’s more than just flag football,” said Tynayjah Dillard, 20, who called her teammates on LS4 her sisters.
“We are there physically and emotionally for each other,” she said. “We all share a common goal, which is to raise awareness of bullying by playing flag football.”
ZiQue co-owner Lawdy Woodard says the fact that his company name is in honor women, it only made sense that they "be a part of an even that highlights and empower women."
The name is for his niece, Zoe, and co-owner Dante Edmonson's daughter, Quinn.
"This whole event is about stopping violence and bullying, which is a problem that needs to be rectified, especially in our community," Woodard said. "The event will put our brand out there, but we weren’t going to miss an opportunity to help let these women in our community have the spotlight to themselves for once."
The teams filled up quickly, the women said. Now they’re hoping the stands will as well.
“Even the leagues that have flag football for woman aren’t heard about often because they are not advertised like the male sports,” Palin said. “Bleachers are always empty because people don’t show up to support (them). I would love to see a younger girls flag football league just to give them a chance to come out and play and see the turnout.”
But they are definitely turning out for each other.
“We are so excited and eager to get on the field together,” Palin said. “We’ve been practicing and our chemistry on the field is unmatched. Women of all ages from different cities came together for this game, and we’ve been having a ball.”
The first game starts at 7 p.m. Sunday at Dolphin Field. Admission is free.
