NYSPHSAA officially adds girls flag football as high school sport

Rochester, N.Y. — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has voted to recognize girls flag football as an official high school state championship sport, starting in 2024.

The Buffalo Bills made the announcement Wednesday. The team, along with the New York Giants, New York Jets and Nike, joined with the NYSPHSAA to sponsor girls flag football across the state as part of a pilot program in 2022.

Participation is expected to grow from 51 schools across the state, including 20 in Western New York, to more than 140 in 2023, including 50 in Western New York.

BACKGROUND: Spencerport hosts first girls flag football game in Section V history

Eight teams from Section V competed in 2022: Spencerport, Irondequoit, Eastridge, Edison Tech, Monroe, Rochester Academy, Destiny/Bishop Kearney and Canisteo-Greenwood. Other schools, including Hilton and Greece Athena, are expected to join for 2023.

The Buffalo Bills Foundation and the NFL Foundation will provide $60,000 to support schools in Section V and Section VI that are forming girls flag football teams. The team will host a clinic and scrimmages at One Bills Drive in April.

"With the support of the NFL, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association has provided thousands of student-athletes with the ability to play girls flag football," NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas said in a statement. "In less than one year, the number of schools playing girls flag has nearly tripled in our state. Providing participation opportunities for students continues to be one of our top priorities."