Womens flag football on the rise
Local sports leagues with participants from Castle Pines, like Raptors Athletics (pictured here), celebrate the rise in girls playing flag football at neighborhood parks.
In the last few years, girls/womens flag football programs have experienced rapid growth around the nation and the world. The NCAA has labeled it the “emerging sport for women in 2026,” paving the way for sponsorships, scholarship opportunities and eventually full varsity status at high schools.
Colorado has been a leader in the nation for girls flag football, beginning pilot programs in 2022. With popularity and growing interest, by 2024, Colorado High School Activities Association officially recognized girls flag football as a state sport, making it the 18th sanctioned sport for girls. Today in Colorado, there are 73 girls flag football teams in 4A and 5A high schools, about 1,500 athletes. The Denver Broncos have been involved in growing the program.
Many colleges and universities are adding the sport to their athletic programs. See our front page story about Lauren Scott, the first athlete at Rock Canyon High School to receive a flag football scholarship.
Even younger girls teams are forming (see page 33). Mens flag football began in the 1930s, but it was the 1970s before the sport reached the college and intramural leagues. The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will include mens and womens flag football for the first time.
Flag football is like tackle football in that players aim to run or catch the football in the end zone for six points. Unlike traditional football, flag football is a no-contact sport. Players wear belts with flags on their hips and the defense stops the drive by pulling the flags from opponents.
For more information, visit chsaanow.com/sports/flag or nflflag.com.
By Hollen Wheeler; photos courtesy of Raptors Athletics
