AUSTIN, Texas — One of the newest Central Texas football powerhouses is also one of the area's newest teams.
Texas Fury is a flag football organization that was founded in 2017, when Jason and Amberly Klam decided to create an outlet for local girls to learn and play football in an exciting, inclusive environment.
"We started with six girls, and now we have eight teams," Jason Klam said. "That's pretty amazing growth!"
It's growth that has led to success both on and off the field.
"Flag football has given me a lot of confidence" Fury quarterback Ava Wallace said. "I've continued to carry it with me throughout my life, and I will continue to do it for the rest of my life."
"We all love football, and girls haven't had the opportunity before to play" Fury wide receiver Addie Chilek said. "We're all pioneers in this sport, we're all paving the way."
These young pioneers, all between the ages of 11 and 18, do have doubters.
"Every time you post something, it's a guarantee you're going to have those comments that are like, 'What is this?' 'What are these girls doing?' 'You're not where you're supposed to be' ... but yes we are!" Chilek said. "Flag football gives us that place."
The sport provides more than a place of solace: it also provides an opportunity for education.
"Every single alum, every aged-out [Texas Fury] player has had multiple offers to play in college, on scholarship" Jason Klam said.
The upward mobility that the sport offers doesn't end with college scholarships – it could end with Olympic gold. In 2028, flag football will become an Olympic sport.
"One of my proudest stats is 27% of the competing athletes last year, in the national teams, were from the Texas Fury" Jason Klam said.
The Fury's 17U team has advanced to the national semifinals in the NFL's Flag Football tournament each of the past two seasons, winning a championship in 2023.
