Girls flag football is growing rapidly all around the nation. Professional football teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, are partnering with high schools and colleges nationally, giving them grants to cover the expenses and gifting equipment to schools. It is also confirmed that girls flag football will be in the 2028 Olympics.

As interest for girls’ flag football grows, it is making its way through colleges around the country via the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and is soon looking to get sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). There are potential plans of a girls flag football league beginning in Howard County high schools. Bringing girls flag football into county sports would give even more opportunity to the female athletes within high schools,“They need it. I think it is the future of female involvement in football. For flag football in college, it is a great opportunity for girls to get money to play.” says Ms. Thacker.

As football is also on the rise as becoming a national sport, it will make the sport more accessible for women who want to play football and is an easier option than tackle.

Baltimore City, Frederick County, Montgomery County, and Washington Counties have all been given grants from Under Armour and the Baltimore Ravens to use for funding the flag football program’s.

Maggie Shidle, Wilde Lake student-athlete, says she would be excited for a girls flag football program “I have heard of the idea of their being girls flag football coming to Howard County. I would be ecstatic if Wilde Lake had a girls flag football program,” she said.

Not only would a girls flag football program open up opportunities for student athletes but also for the world and careers of football through attracting athletes from other sports but also new players who have not played sports at the high school level.

“There are enough girls in the nation to make the sport an actual thing that people will care about. There will be some new players but mostly players from other sports will play in girls flag football,” said Maggie.

While Girls flag football is seeing a surge in popularity, not just in Maryland but throughout the entire country, there is still a lot of work that needs to be put in to make girls flag football a sport nationally. As high schools and colleges are being given grants to support the funds for the programs, this is a big step in the direction to make girls flag football a national sport.