4 Reasons Girls Should Play Flag Football

Women’s sports are breaking records and growing at a rapid pace at all levels. This is great news for young female athletes! With more visibility on women’s sports, young girls have more role models to look up to and motivate them to achieve their dreams of playing their favorite sport long term. Girl’s flag football is no exception from this growing popularity. 

Women’s and girl’s flag football has grown nationwide in the last three years. Girl’s flag football is becoming a recognized high school sport in many states, and colleges are beginning to add flag football scholarships to their athletic programs. After the sport was added to the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles, both education systems and recreational organizations are working furiously to create more opportunities for girls and women of all ages to play! Flag football offers countless benefits for girls, both on and off the field. If you haven’t considered flag football as a sport for your kids yet, we have four reasons that you should!

Four Benefits Flag Football Offers Girls of All Ages:

1. Girls Learn Empowerment and Get a Confidence Boost from Playing Flag Football

Participating in flag football empowers girls by providing a platform to teach them essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience. According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, girls who participate in sports experience higher levels of self-esteem and confidence. By taking part in flag football, girls learn to trust in their abilities, set and achieve goals, and overcome challenges, laying a foundation for success both on and off the field. This is true for both girls only leagues and co-ed. Though many girls prefer not to be the only girl on the team, some enjoy playing against the boys and showing them they can compete at the same level!

2. Girls Flag Football Offers Physical Fitness and Health Benefits

Flag football provides an excellent outlet for girls to stay fit and healthy while having fun. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence is associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of obesity, improved cardiovascular health, and enhanced bone strength (CDC, 2023). By participating in flag football, girls can develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

3. Girls Learn Skill Development and Get Cognitive Growth from Sports

Flag football isn’t just about running and catching – it’s a strategic game that requires critical thinking, decision-making, and spatial awareness. Engaging in sports at a young age has been linked to cognitive benefits, including improved concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills.

According to a 2023 Deloitte survey, 85% of the women who played sports said the skills they developed playing sports were important to success in their professional careers. By learning the fundamentals of flag football, girls sharpen their minds while honing their athletic abilities. Flag football can set them up for success in the classroom and eventually boardrooms, court rooms, hospitals, or whatever career they see themselves pursuing!

4. Girls Can Find Inclusivity and Social Connection through Flag Football

Flag football provides an environment where girls of all skill levels can come together to learn, grow, and have fun. Research published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology highlights the social benefits of youth sports participation, including enhanced social skills, increased social support, and a sense of belonging. By joining a flag football team, girls have an opportunity to forge lifelong friendships and become part of a supportive community that celebrates their achievements.

From confidence-building to physical fitness and social connection, flag football offers girls a unique opportunity to thrive in a sport usually designated to their male counterparts. Football is usually seen as a boy’s sport with pads and tackling. The addition of flag football in multiple regions is giving girls a better, and typically safer, opportunity to learn the sport of football. Help your girls build confidence, improve their physical strength, and set them up for future success- sign them up to play flag football!

Sign up for Flag Football with i9 Sports^® Today!

Our youth flag football program has been around for 20 years and is our most popular sport. We focus on age-appropriate instruction, sportsmanship, and of course fun! This allows young athletes to learn the game, improve their skills, and fall in love with the sport.

As a leading provider of youth sports, i9 Sports^® is committed to empowering girls through sports and helping them unlock their full potential. So why wait? Sign up for flag football today and watch your kids soar!