Effective Date: June 1, 2026
Houston United Girls Flag Football League ("Houston United" or "the League") is operated as a program of She Plays Flag Texas, a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 41-2859150). By registering a team or player for Houston United, you agree to these Terms of Participation. These terms govern participation in all league activities, including games, practices, scrimmages, tournaments, the free agent combine, the All-Star team, and any league-sponsored events.
1. Eligibility
• All participants must be girls who meet the age cutoff (August 1) for their assigned division: 9U (ages 7-9), 10U, 12U, 14U, or High School.
• The 9U division is designed for girls ages 7 to 9 who are relatively new to flag football and serves as a developmental introduction to the sport.
• Teams may register in their age division or one older division (play up), subject to space availability. Teams may not play down without prior League Director approval. Teams register in one division only per season. See the Division Placement and Play-Up Policy in the Rules and Regulations for full details.
• Each team must list two qualified coaches on its roster.
• Rosters are capped at 12 players.
• Coaches must complete and pass a background check through the league's designated provider before working with players.
• Houston United reserves the right to verify a player's age and eligibility at any time and to remove ineligible players from a roster.
• Free agents (players who register individually rather than as part of an established team) are subject to these Terms of Participation upon accepting a team placement. See the Free Agent Program page for the placement process.
2. Registration and Payment
• Teams register as a unit, not as individual players.
• A $500 deposit is required to reserve a team's spot in the league.
• The remainder of the $150-per-athlete registration fee is due by August 1, 2026.
• Final rosters must be submitted by the league-designated roster lock deadline.
• Free agents may register individually at no cost. The $150 registration fee is due only upon acceptance of a team placement.
• Houston United reserves the right to refuse or revoke any registration that violates these terms, the Code of Conduct, or applicable law.
3. Refund Policy
Refunds are governed by the Houston United Refund Policy, available here. The Refund Policy is incorporated into these Terms of Participation by reference.
4. Assumption of Risk
Flag football is a physical activity that involves inherent risks of bodily injury, including but not limited to: contact with other players, falls, sprains, fractures, concussions, heat-related illness, and other physical injuries. Players may also be exposed to risks associated with the venue, weather, travel, and interactions with other participants and spectators.
By registering, the parent or legal guardian acknowledges that they have considered these risks, understand them, and voluntarily assume them on behalf of themselves and the player. Houston United does not promise that participation will be free from injury and does not assume responsibility for injuries that occur as a result of the inherent risks of the sport.
5. Release and Waiver of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the undersigned parent or legal guardian, on behalf of themselves and the minor player, releases, waives, and discharges She Plays Flag Texas (operating Houston United Girls Flag Football League), its officers, directors, members, employees, agents, volunteers, coaches, referees, contractors, sponsors, and affiliated parties (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action arising out of or related to participation in any league activity, whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise, except for liability arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or any liability that cannot be released under Texas law.
This release is intended to satisfy the express negligence doctrine under Texas law and conspicuously identifies negligence as one of the bases of liability being released.
6. Indemnification
The parent or legal guardian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of the player's participation in league activities or any breach of these Terms of Participation.
7. Medical Authorization
In the event of a medical emergency during a league activity, the parent or legal guardian authorizes Houston United, its coaches, and authorized personnel to:
• Obtain emergency medical care for the player
• Transport the player or arrange for transport to a medical facility
• Communicate with medical providers regarding the player's condition
The parent or legal guardian agrees to provide accurate medical information during registration, including allergies, current medications, and any conditions relevant to athletic participation. The parent is responsible for all medical costs.
Players exhibiting signs of concussion will be immediately removed from play. Return to play requires written clearance from a licensed medical provider, consistent with the Houston United Concussion Protocol.
8. Photo and Media Release
By registering, the parent or legal guardian grants Houston United and its designees a perpetual, royalty-free license to photograph, video record, and otherwise capture the player's image, voice, and likeness during league activities, and to use those materials for promotional, marketing, educational, and operational purposes, including on the Houston United website, social media accounts, printed materials, and communications.
No financial compensation will be provided for such use. The parent or legal guardian waives any right to inspect or approve materials before publication.
To opt out of league-controlled use of your child's image, submit a written opt-out request to info@houstonunitedgirlsflag.org before the start of the season. Opt-outs apply only to Houston United's use of media we control; we cannot restrict photos or video captured or posted by other parents, spectators, or third parties.
9. Code of Conduct
All players, parents, coaches, and spectators must comply with the Houston United Code of Conduct, available at [link]. The Code of Conduct is incorporated into these Terms of Participation by reference. Coaches are additionally subject to the Houston United No-Poaching and Roster Stability Policy, also incorporated by reference. Violations may result in warnings, suspensions, ejections, or permanent removal from the league, at the league's discretion.
10. Inclement Weather and Schedule Changes
Houston United reserves the right to cancel, delay, reschedule, relocate, or modify games, practices, and other activities due to weather, facility availability, public health, or other circumstances. Refunds for weather-related cancellations are governed by the Refund Policy.
11. Equipment and Uniforms
Teams are responsible for providing their own jerseys. Players are responsible for providing appropriate footwear, mouthguards, and any other personal equipment required by league rules. The league will provide league t-shirts and championship rings to qualifying teams. All-Star team uniforms are provided by the league for selected players.
12. Background Checks
All coaches and volunteers who have direct contact with players must complete a background check through the league's designated provider. Results meeting the league's standards are a condition of coaching or volunteering. Houston United reserves the right to remove any coach or volunteer who does not meet these standards or who is later discovered to have provided inaccurate information.
13. Use of Information
Houston United collects and uses personal information as described in its Privacy Policy, available at [link]. The Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Terms of Participation by reference.
14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms of Participation are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Harris County or Montgomery County, Texas, and the parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of those courts.
15. Severability
If any provision of these Terms of Participation is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
16. Entire Agreement
These Terms of Participation, together with the Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, and Code of Conduct, constitute the entire agreement between the parent or legal guardian and Houston United regarding participation in the league and supersede any prior agreements or understandings on the subject.
17. Acknowledgment
By checking the acknowledgment box during registration (whether as a team or as a free agent accepting a team placement), the parent or legal guardian represents that:
• They are the parent or legal guardian of the player being registered
• They have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Participation
• They have authority to enter into this agreement on behalf of the player and any other parent or guardian
• They are at least 18 years of age
For free agents, the acknowledgment is required at two stages: at initial free agent registration (acknowledging combine participation, draft process, and general league terms) and again upon acceptance of a team placement (acknowledging full Terms of Participation and triggering the registration fee).