NYSPHSAA Partners with Bills, Giants, Jets and Nike to Launch Girls Flag Football Pilot Program

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) today announced the creation of a girls flag football pilot program scheduled to begin competition this spring. In a partnership with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and New York Jets, 48 member schools across six sections of New York State were provided funds by the three NFL teams to support schools starting programs this April.

Sections I, IV, V, VI, VIII and XI have all committed to teams within their sections participating in the inaugural girls flag football pilot program. In addition to the donations made by the Bills, Giants and Jets, Nike donated $100,000 which will be divided evenly across the participating sections to pay for uniforms and other equipment. Teams will play 6-8 games this spring with the season running until the end of May. Actual games will be 7-on-7 and played on a regulation size field, with rules established by the NYSPHSAA and the NFL. Each section may choose to have culminating local championships if they choose.

“This is an historic day for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association as we are able to initiate something in our state that has never been done before thanks to a partnership with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and New York Jets,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director.  “We are grateful and excited to partner with the Bills, Giants and Jets to provide beneficial participation opportunities for female high school student-athletes in our state. The NFL’s commitment to promoting flag football is truly appreciated and will be critical to the success of future programs. Nike should also be recognized and thanked for their significant contribution to this valuable initiative. They too did not hesitate to support this program when it came time to talk about how to financially support it and we are grateful for their donation as well.”

The financial donations by the Bills will be earmarked to support teams in Sections V and VI while the contributions from the Giants will support teams in Sections I and IV, and the funds provided by the Jets will support the teams in Section VIII and XI. Girls flag football will be a pilot program in the spring of 2022 with the goal of gaining NYSPHSAA’s “emerging sport” status the following year. “Emerging sport” is when four sections have at least four or more teams in that sport. A state committee is then formed in that sport and the committee may request the approval to form a Regional Championship.

“Providing the opportunity for high school student athletes to participate in girls flag football in our community is something that we are very proud of,” said Preston Teague, Buffalo Bills Sr. Director of Community Relations and Youth Football. “We have worked closely with The New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Giants, and Jets the past year to make this pilot program for a reality and can’t wait for the start of the season and the future of the sport throughout New York.  Thank you to all of the Section Executive Directors, school Athletic Directors and Nike for their support of the launch of this initiative.”

“We are thrilled to see the growth of girls flag football in our region, and to support and celebrate the athletes and coaches as they make history by competing in their inaugural season,” said Ethan Medley, Giants Director of Community Relations and Youth Football. “We were excited to be a part of the successful first season with the Shore Conference last year, and are proud to work with the Jets, Bills, NYSPHSAA and Nike to help launch girls high school flag football in six different sections of New York State this spring.  We know that the game of football will provide many meaningful relationships, opportunity for physical activity and competition, and many amazing lifelong memories. We can’t wait to cheer them on!”

“The expansion of our girls flag football league brings us one step closer to our goal of having the sport adopted as an official varsity sport in both New York and New Jersey in order to continue providing young women with the opportunity to grow and excel on the field and in their daily lives”, said Jessie Linder, New York Jets Vice President of Community Relations.