News Summary
More than 300 high schools in Georgia will enhance their girls flag football programs this fall, supported by the Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The initiative, which has seen over 7,000 girls participating in 2024, aims to promote gender equality in athletics and provide competitive opportunities for young female athletes. With funds allocated for 304 schools and plans for 45 more programs by 2025, the growth of girls flag football is set to foster community engagement and teamwork among female students.
Atlanta – More than 300 high schools across Georgia will be launching or enhancing girls flag football programs this fall, supported by the Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. This initiative aims to increase participation in girls’ sports and provide student athletes with more opportunities to engage in competitive activities.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has allocated funds to 304 high schools in Georgia, which will allow these institutions to start their girls flag football teams. Alongside this support, an additional 45 new high schools are set to introduce girls flag football programs by 2025. This comes as a significant development in the state, as participation in girls flag football has surged, with over 7,000 girls participating in 2024 alone across more than 270 high schools.
The Atlanta Falcons have a history of supporting girls flag football in Georgia, having initiated a pilot program for 19 high schools in Gwinnett County back in 2018. In 2020, Georgia became the fourth state in the United States to officially sanction girls flag football as a high school sport. This progress has paved the way for increased recognition and legitimacy of the sport in the state, generating further interest among young female athletes.
This recent support initiative aligns with the bipartisan resolution known as HR 347, which was passed unanimously by the Georgia House of Representatives in April. This landmark resolution actively encourages all high schools in Georgia to adopt girls flag football programs, representing the country’s first legislative action designed to advance the sport. The resolution’s passage is seen as an important step in promoting gender equality in athletics.
The full list detailing the Georgia high schools that will implement new girls flag football programs in 2025 is anticipated to be released soon. This move is expected to boost the participation rates among female students, fostering a greater sense of community and teamwork.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, established in 1995 by Arthur M. Blank, has contributed over $1.3 billion to support a variety of charitable initiatives. The foundation is dedicated to essential areas such as youth development, health, environmental causes, and community support. Their commitment to the growth of youth engagement in sports, especially for girls, illustrates a broader focus on enhancing female representation in competitive athletics.
The expansion of girls flag football in Georgia symbolizes a growing recognition of the importance of sports in providing young women with crucial life skills, building confidence, and establishing pathways for personal development. As programs across the state gain momentum, the hope is to inspire greater levels of participation and create a more inclusive environment within school sports.
As schools prepare to roll out or enhance their girls flag football programs, the ongoing support from the Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation reflects a commitment to promoting youth participation and encouraging healthy competition among young female athletes across Georgia.
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HERE Resources
Atlanta Falcons Expand Girls Flag Football Programs
Additional Resources
- Atlanta Falcons News
- Bham Now
- High School Football America
- Google Search: Girls Flag Football in Georgia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flag Football
