FAQ
Is Houston United a for-profit or nonprofit league?
Houston United is a program of She Plays Flag Texas, a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 41-2859150). Every registration fee and sponsorship supports our mission of growing girls flag football in Texas.
Are registration fees tax-deductible?
No. Because families receive league services in exchange for their fees, registration fees are not deductible as charitable contributions. Donations and sponsorships made above and beyond registration fees may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Consult your tax advisor for specifics.
When does registration open?
Registration opens June 1, 2026 for the inaugural Fall 2026 season.
How do we register?
Teams register as a unit through our registration page. Each team submits a $500 deposit to secure its spot. Full payment of $150 per athlete is due August 1, 2026.
Can individual players register?
Houston United is primarily a team-based league. Individual players who do not have a team can register as free agents at no cost. Free agents are eligible to be drafted by established teams or placed on a free agent team formed before the season. See the Free Agent Program page for details.
What is the registration fee?
$150 per athlete, paid by the team. A $500 deposit reserves the team's spot, with the remaining balance due August 1, 2026.
Are there discounts?
Yes. Organizations registering multiple teams across more than one age division receive a multi-team discount on the standard $150-per-athlete fee:
• 2 teams: 5% discount per athlete ($142.50 per athlete)
• 3 teams: 10% discount per athlete ($135.00 per athlete)
• 4 or more teams: 15% discount per athlete ($127.50 per athlete)
The discount applies to every team in the organization, not just the additional teams. See the Refund Policy for full details, including the multi-team discount clawback provision that applies if a team withdraws.
What does the fee include?
Field rental, professional officiating, league t-shirt for every player, championship rings for division winners, and All-Star team uniforms for selected players.
What divisions does Houston United offer?
Houston United offers five divisions: 9U, 10U, 12U, 14U, and High School. The 9U division is our developmental division for girls ages 7 to 9 who are relatively new to flag football. The 10U through High School divisions are designed for established travel and tournament teams.
What is the 9U developmental division?
The 9U division is designed for girls ages 7 to 9 (as of August 1, 2026) who are relatively new to flag football. It is built as an introduction to the sport, teaching fundamentals like throwing, catching, route running, and defense in a semi-competitive setting. Players in 9U will compete in real games on turf fields with professional referees, but the focus is on learning, growth, and enjoyment. If your daughter is new to flag football and in this age range, 9U is the right place to start.
What is the age cutoff?
August 1. A player's age on August 1, 2026 determines her division for the Fall 2026 season.
Is the league only for girls?
Yes. Houston United is an all-girls league.
Can our team play up in an older division?
Yes. Any team may choose to play up one division above their own age division, subject to space availability in the older division. For example, a 10U team may register in the 12U division. Teams may only play up one division (not two — a 10U team cannot register in 14U). There is no additional fee for playing up; teams pay the standard $150-per-athlete registration fee. Teams may only register in one division per season.
If our team plays up, can our players still be selected for the All-Star team?
Yes. All-Star selection is based on a player's age division, not the division in which her team played. A 10U-age player whose team plays up in 12U remains eligible for the 10U All-Star team. She would not be eligible for the 12U All-Star team because she is not a 12U-age player. This keeps All-Star competition age-appropriate at the national tournament level.
What happens if there aren't enough teams in our age division?
If a division doesn't have enough teams to form a viable league, affected teams have two options: receive a full refund, or play up in the next-older division (subject to space availability) at no additional cost. We'll notify affected teams as soon as the decision is made so you can choose what works best for your team.
Can our team play down in a younger division?
Playing down is not permitted without prior written approval from the League Director. Approval is rare and limited to specific circumstances such as rosters made up predominantly of younger players. Requests should be submitted at least 14 days before the registration deadline. See the Rules and Regulations page for full details on the Division Placement and Play-Up Policy.
Where are games played?
All games are played at Community Fieldhouse in Spring, TX, on turf fields.
When are games?
Games are played on Saturdays. Each team plays a doubleheader (two games) per Saturday. Specific times depend on the division. The season runs from August 15, 2026 through approximately October 10, 2026.
How long are games?
25 minutes each, matching standard tournament timing.
Who officiates the games?
All games are officiated by professional, certified referees.
Tournament-Friendly Scheduling
What if our team has a tournament during the season?
Houston United is designed for tournament and travel teams. When building the league schedule, we work directly with each team to accommodate tournament commitments. Submit your tournament schedule when you complete registration and we will plan around it where possible.
Roster and Coaches
How many players can be on a roster?
Up to 12 players per team.
When is the roster lock deadline?
Final rosters are due August 1, 2026, and the formal roster lock is Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Time (the Friday before Week 2 games). After roster lock, teams may not add new players except under the Replacement Player Policy.
What if one of our players has to drop out after roster lock?
Teams may replace a withdrawn player through the end of Week 4 of the regular season. The team identifies its own replacement (from any source outside the active Houston United rosters), the replacement completes standard registration paperwork, and a flat $75 replacement fee applies. Replacement players are not eligible for All-Star selection in their first season. See the Replacement Player Policy in the Rules and Regulations for full details.
How many coaches per team?
Each team must list two coaches on the roster. All coaches must pass a background check.
What background check does Houston United require for coaches?
Houston United uses CheckR (the same provider as NFL Flag) for all coach and required volunteer background checks. The league pays for required checks — there is no cost to coaches or teams. Coaches who already have an active CheckR background check through NFL Flag or another youth sports organization may be able to transfer their existing check rather than completing a new one. See the full Background Check Policy for details on what is screened, what disqualifies, renewal timing, and the appeals process.
Are jerseys provided?
Teams are responsible for providing their own jerseys. The league provides a league t-shirt for every player.
How does the All-Star team work?
At the end of the regular season, Houston United selects an All-Star team for each age division (10U and older) to compete in one or more national tournaments. Selection is made by the League Director and selection committee based on observed play during the regular season. All-Star team uniforms are provided by the league.
Important: All-Star selection is based on a player's age division, not the division in which her team played. If your daughter is age 10 and her team plays up in 12U, she remains eligible for the 10U All-Star team. This keeps All-Star competition age-appropriate at the national level.
The 9U division does not field an All-Star team. 9U-age players are technically eligible for selection, but selection is unlikely given the developmental purpose of the 9U division.
See the All-Star Team page for full details on selection, tournaments, costs, and family commitments.
What does it cost for a family if my daughter is selected for an All-Star team?
Houston United, through She Plays Flag Texas, provides All-Star team uniforms and covers team-related operational costs through fundraising and league resources. Family-borne costs typically include travel, lodging, and meals for tournaments. Specific cost expectations will be communicated to selected families as early as possible each season. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program, we are committed to making All-Star opportunities accessible and will work with families on payment plans and need-based assistance where feasible. See the All-Star Team page for full details.
What is your refund policy?
Our refund policy is structured around clearly defined deadlines tied to our season preparation timeline. Deposits are fully refundable through July 1, 2026, and partially refundable through July 20, 2026. Full payments are non-refundable after August 1, 2026. We issue full refunds if we cannot form a viable division in your age group. Limited exceptions apply for documented injury, family relocation, or league cancellation. Please review the full refund policy for complete details, including provisions for multi-team discounts and free agents.
Does Houston United have a no-poaching policy?
Yes. During the Houston United season, coaches are prohibited from initiating recruitment of players rostered on other Houston United teams. Players and parents are always free to approach other teams on their own, but mid-season transfers between Houston United teams are not permitted. This policy protects the time and effort coaches invest in their rosters and preserves a stable, trust-based competitive environment. See the full No-Poaching and Roster Stability Policy for details.
My daughter doesn't have a team. Can she still play?
Yes. Players without a team can register as free agents at no cost. Free agents are eligible to be drafted by established teams or placed on a free agent team formed before the season. See the Free Agent Program page for details.
Is there a cost to register as a free agent?
No. Free agent registration is free. The $150 registration fee is only due if a free agent accepts a team placement.
When is the Free Agent Combine?
Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Community Fieldhouse in Spring, TX. The combine is a closed event — only registered free agents, their parents, approved coaches of registered Houston United teams, and league staff may attend. This is to protect the integrity of the draft and prevent recruitment from teams outside the league. See the Free Agent Program page for full details.
What happens if there's bad weather?
Houston United monitors weather conditions closely. Games may be delayed, rescheduled, or cancelled in cases of lightning, heavy rain, tropical weather, or other safety concerns. Decisions are communicated through the registration platform, email, social media, and the league website — typically by 8:00 AM on game day for that day's games, or earlier for forecast severe weather. Weather cancellations do not trigger automatic refunds. See the full Inclement Weather Policy for details.
Contact us at info@houstonunitedgirlsflag.org or (832) 942-9878. We aim to respond within two business days.