News Summary
In Georgia, advocates are urging high schools to create more girls flag football teams following the passage of House Resolution 347. This groundbreaking resolution promotes gender equality in sports, marking a significant step for female athletes. The initiative seeks to empower young women and enhance community teamwork. With over 300 schools expected to offer programs, and the Olympic debut of flag football approaching, interest in the sport is surging. Key stakeholders, including the Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, support initiatives to expand girls flag football opportunities across the state.
Atlanta, Georgia — Advocates in Georgia are intensifying their efforts to encourage high schools across the state to establish more girls flag football teams. This push comes on the heels of House Resolution 347, a landmark legislative measure passed during the 2025 session that promotes gender equality in high school sports. Notably, this resolution is the first of its kind in the United States urging the formation of girls flag football programs in high schools.
The initiative was highlighted during a news conference featuring State Representative Brent Cox, alongside representatives from the Atlanta Falcons, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. These stakeholders believe that the introduction and expansion of girls flag football programs would not only empower young female athletes but also foster a greater sense of community and teamwork among students.
Flag football has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports in America, and its popularity has surged in Georgia. The Atlanta Falcons initiated a girls’ flag football pilot program back in 2018, which began in 19 high schools in Gwinnett County. Since then, participation has skyrocketed. Over 300 high schools in Georgia are set to offer girls flag football programs starting this fall, and by 2024, more than 7,000 girls had taken part in flag football across over 270 high schools in the state.
Looking ahead, upcoming initiatives are expected to enable 45 more Georgia high schools to introduce new girls flag football programs in 2025. Furthermore, Georgia made history in 2020 by becoming the fourth state in the U.S. to officially sanction girls flag football as a high school sport.
The support for these programs extends beyond state legislation. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has been instrumental in providing grants to high schools to launch or enhance girls flag football initiatives. This financial backing is crucial for schools looking to establish or expand their athletic programs for female athletes.
As the sport prepares for its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, interest among female athletes is burgeoning. Many young women expressed their excitement about the opportunity to play flag football at the collegiate level, fueling aspirations for more competitive opportunities. The growth of girls flag football in Georgia has been noted as remarkable, with officials highlighting its positive impact on teamwork, physical fitness, and leadership skills among female athletes.
The collaborative efforts of various organizations aim to ensure that every high school in Georgia offers flag football as a varsity sport. The resolution received unanimous bipartisan support from the Georgia House of Representatives, indicating a strong commitment to promoting girls’ sports throughout the state. Since 2017, the Falcons and the Blank Foundation have worked together to successfully increase the number of girls flag football teams in Georgia, showcasing a sustained effort to develop this burgeoning sport.
During the recent press conference, several female athletes shared their enthusiastic experiences with flag football, emphasizing the sport’s role in building friendships and camaraderie. As Georgia continues to forge ahead with these initiatives, advocates remain optimistic that the growth and support for girls flag football will continue to gain momentum throughout the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Georgia Advocates Push for Expansion of Girls Flag Football
Georgia Advocates for Girls’ Flag Football in High Schools
Georgia High Schools Boost Girls Flag Football Programs
Atlanta Falcons Expand Girls Flag Football Programs
Additional Resources
- Atlanta News First
- Wikipedia: Girls’ Flag Football
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Google Search: girls flag football Georgia
- Atlanta Falcons
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flag Football
- WAFF
- Google News: flag football initiatives 2025
- Bham Now
