SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers today announced the launch of a new Community Supporter initiative, aimed at expanding grassroots flag football development and strengthening ties with local community organizations across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Through the Community Supporter program, grassroots flag football organizations are invited to team up with the 49ers to further develop the game throughout UAE communities. Supporter organizations will benefit from enhanced resources, including access to coaching education and certifications, player development initiatives, and increased availability of kits and equipment. By collaborating with the 49ers, Community Supporters will propel the growth of flag football participation and elevate experiences with the sport.
The first organizations to join the program are the Emirates American Football League (EAFL) and the Emirates Flag Football League (EFFL), both of which operate grassroots flag football leagues and competitions for hundreds of youth and adult players each season. EAFL and EFFL will also support the 49ers own flag football and fan engagement initiatives to engage existing and new 49ers fans.
"Our overarching goal in the UAE, and across all of our global markets, is to grow the game of football and the 49ers Faithful. This new Community Supporter initiative is an important step in continuing efforts towards those goals," said Stephanie Rogers, 49ers EVP of Marketing. "The EAFL and EFFL have already made incredible progress in growing American flag football in the UAE through youth and adult leagues. We look forward to joining forces, learning from their experiences, and helping them host impactful events for flag football players of all ages."
Building on the NFL's Global Markets Program announcement in April, the 49ers have been collaborating with local groups to identify opportunities where the team's decades of community engagement experience in the Bay Area can help fuel the growth of football in the UAE. Earlier this year, the team hosted the first-ever UAE flag football coaching clinic, impacting over 50 coaches and youth by teaching them the basics of flag football.
"Using flag football to promote healthy and active lifestyles for youth is a cornerstone of the 49ers Foundation," said Justin Prettyman, 49ers VP of Philanthropy. "We recently updated our mission statement to, 'educate and empower youth in the Bay Area and beyond,' to include the UAE and our other global markets. Thanks to our new community supporters, we will be able to draw insights and learnings from local flag football operators and leave a lasting impact on the lives of youth across the UAE."
For more about the 49ers efforts and events in the UAE, please visit 49ers.com/uae and follow the team's Arabic social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
