Girl’s flag football has officially been announced as an IHSA sport. In the fall of 2024, Girls Flag Football will be an official sport at Niles North.
Since girl’s flag football is fresh to IHSA, there are still logistics that need to be figured out and approved before the fall. Despite the unknown, here’s a look into what we do know.
There is no doubt it will be full of fun. We’ve seen a lot of success in past years in the traditional Powderpuff juniors vs. seniors flag football game. Students can engage in safe play, socialize with teammates, enjoy exercise, and create everlasting memories.
While having fun, you get the opportunity to be competitive and showcase your skills. It’s exhilarating to be able to strategize and work as a team to go head-to-head with opponents in a thrilling game. Multi-sport athletes are encouraged to join as well, to continue to compete and acquire more experience to level up your game as an athlete. By being on more than one team, you stay involved and conditioned throughout the year.
“We want to be competitive, we think it’s gonna be fun, and we think it’s gonna be something that multi-sport kids can do because we have the resources for it, “ Athletic director Brett Bildstein said.
If you are seeking to join and desire to learn more about this new sport, there are a few things you can do to stay in the loop.
As more information is revealed, it’s important to listen to the announcements and check your emails so the Athletic department can truly gauge what is going on. The athletic department plans to have a summer camp in the coming months to introduce the techniques and skills of the game. If you have any questions or want to stay updated, reach out to the athletic department to have a positive start to the fall.
Girls’ flag football has seen an increase in popularity. Between partnerships with the Chicago Bears, NIKE, and NFL Flag, the Chicago Public Schools managed to launch the first High School Girls’ Flag Football League in the state of Illinois back in 2021. Two years later, in 2023, the league had over 100 teams across Chicagoland! The success of the community is continuing to expand and grow.
