In a relentless rain Sunday, two young children holding umbrellas were watching a flag football game and rooting for their favourite player, their cheers audible above the play-calling and heavy breathing on the field: "Go, Mommy! We love you, Mommy!"
As in many co-ed sports, the men sort of cancel each other out. In the Pro Sports Management flag football mixed league, the quality of the women on the roster makes all of the difference.
From the high level of play on the field witnessed Sunday, the women are more than holding their own.
Kelly Tucker and Sarah Blackwell are both second-year players in the mixed league.
Tucker had never played any sort of football until last summer but is an avid dodge ball and baseball player. It was her participation in Pro Sports Management's dodge ball league that led her to the gridiron, and Tucker says she is "loving every minute of it."
"Last year was my first year, I had no idea what I was doing the first game, but now in the second season I am picking up the strategy like crazy. It's definitely a sport that someone can learn really quickly," explained Tucker.
Blackwell says that she has always been involved in organized sports, and has returned to flag football after an absence since her university days.
When asked, both women confirmed that fair play is paramount in the league, and they feel that they are treated equally and respectfully by all participants.
"Our team's great. Sometimes the guys get the ball a little more often. But, it's actually good strategy, because as the focus turns to the men, the women can get through unblocked," said Tucker.
The league has seen growth in each of its four campaigns.
Pro Sports Management founded the flag football league in 2013, with seven teams.
In 2014, the mixed division was added and fielded four teams, while men's league grew to 13 entries.
Last summer, the league split into three divisions: Men's Recreational, Men's Competitive and Mixed, with 19 teams.
This summer, more growth, to 22 total entries, with 10 in the mixed division alone.
After one more week of regular season play, the playoffs will be held October 15-16.
Champions have their names engraved on the league trophy, and while winning is great, fun and fair play is stressed. Each player must sign a fair play policy to participate.
Pro Sports Management's Tim Simpson sees even further growth for the league, with the possibility of two mixed divisions, and a youth league. Currently, all players must be 19+ and finished high school.
More information on Pro Sports Management and registration for their fall activities can be found here.