NEWBURGH – There’s a new football team in town! The inaugural season of the NFA Girls Flag Football team begins this week! The new NFA team consists of 27 athletes ranging from grades 7-12 who will be making history this spring. The NFA Girls Flag Football team is starting the sport, along with 14 other teams in Section IX and more than a hundred other teams across the state. In 2023, New York is expected to have over 140 high schools across eight sections participating in girls flag football.
On February 1, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced that girls high school flag football will be a state championship sport in the spring of 2024. In a partnership with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and New York Jets, 48 member schools across six sections of New York State were provided funds by the three NFL teams to support schools starting programs this April, according to the New York State Public High school Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA).
“With the support of the NFL, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association has provided thousands of student-athletes with the ability to play girls flag football. In less than one year, the number of schools playing girls flag has nearly tripled in our state. Providing participation opportunities for students continues to be one of our top priorities,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director.
The NFA Girls Flag Football team is coached by head coach Liam Henderson and Assistant Coach Jerry Ortiz.