While football is typically thought of as a male dominated sport, flag football is quickly becoming a sanctioned high school sport for female athletics across the nation. Free State will be joining the trend with its inaugural season starting in the fall of 2025.

The National Football League Flag Organization sponsors over 1,800 youth leagues with their goal of making flag football globally accessible. So far, 14 states, including Kansas, offer it as a sanctioned sport with 18 others starting their test seasons.

Kansas State High School Activities Association administrator Mark Lentz deals with football operations in the state of Kansas. Lentz said what the sport of football can teach student athletes who are new to the game.

“Flag Football will teach athletes the value of teamwork, dealing with adversity, humility, provide confidence, the importance of communication, and help student-athletes with learning how to compete, which are all important aspects of athletics” Lentz said.

Although flag football is in the early stages of being implemented into schools, students such as freshman Gwenyth McDow said she is still excited to get started. McDow said that she’s looking forward to being a part of another wave of women in sports.

The NFL Flag organization said that it is trying to create more pathways for female athletes to play college athletics. With the sport being newly introduced in high schools, it continues to provide students with more opportunities to do so.

“As someone who’s actively involved in sports, it’s inspiring to see women gaining more opportunities and recognition in areas where they were once overlooked, ” Junior Sophia Halton said. “This progress not only empowers female athletes but also encourages greater support and inclusivity in the sports world as a whole.”