Girls are changing the game, quite literally, as flag football for girls becomes an official Philadelphia Public League sport for the first time. Dobbins High School is one of the pioneering teams in this new era on the field.
Brielle Phillips, a senior at Dobbins, expressed her excitement, highlighting how unusual it was to see girls play football when she was younger, mostly limited to playing with boys.
She emphasized the misconception that non-contact flag football is any less of a challenge, noting the importance of skill and restraint in the game.
Girls Lead the Way in Philly Football
Phillips and her teammates are proud to showcase their abilities and are thrilled that their efforts are being recognized.
Jackie Castorino, the Dobbins Athletic Director and the new chair for the Philadelphia Public League flag football program, highlighted how the sport is attracting a new cohort of female athletes in Philadelphia who might not have otherwise participated in sports.
She noted the growth of the program, with each year raising the bar in terms of skill and participation.
Kadijah Hankerson, a member of the Flag Football Steering Committee and a coach at Dobbins, emphasized how learning the sport has not only improved the players’ skills but also fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among them.
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The Surging Popularity of Girls’ Flag Football
The expansion of girls’ flag football is not just limited to Philadelphia. In Spring 2022, the Philadelphia Eagles launched a girls’ flag football league with 16 area schools, further promoting the sport among young female athletes.
This year, the Philadelphia Public League boasts 32 girls’ teams, with four intramural teams, showcasing the growing interest and participation in the sport.
Looking ahead, there are ambitions to make girls’ flag football an officially sanctioned sport in the state, marking a significant step forward in recognizing and supporting female athletes.
As Dobbins junior Nia Mitchell puts it, being part of this movement is special, knowing that it will only grow bigger in the future.
The growth of girls’ flag football is not just local; it’s becoming a global phenomenon. Last fall, the International Olympic Committee announced that both girls and boys flag football would debut as an Olympic sport in the 2028 games, signaling a major milestone for the sport’s recognition and inclusivity.
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