Leland Flags down Victory

Sep 28, 20243 min read

By Teresa Sun Sep 25 2024

This year, the school is introducing its very first Girl’s Flag Football team, joining nine other high schools in the Blossom Valley Athletic League (BVAL) and over 60 others across the Central Coast Section (CCS). This initiative’s goal is to provide female students the opportunity to stay active and engage in a traditionally male-dominated sport. The team, composed of about 20 players, is preparing for its first season with high hopes with matches scheduled against matches against regional rivals, such as Pioneer High School in a new Battle of the Den, and participation in tournaments against other highschools in the Blossom Valley Athletic League (BVAL). The players are enthusiastic about the new sport, with many citing the appeal of novel athletic opportunities and the chance to be a part of a pioneering team.

“I loved playing football for fun my whole life, but never had a team to play with, so when I heard about the school’s flag football team, I was really excited to join it. I mostly did individual sports, and I thought it would be nice to play on a team because there’s a bunch of people who can support you,” Sophomore Camille Jubert said.

The school’s decision to introduce flag football stems from a wider trend to provide female students an opportunity to participate in football while resolving the safety concerns of traditional tackle football. The sport as a whole has been gaining traction in the CCS and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for several years.

Unlike traditional tackle football, flag football greatly reduces physical contact and the head, neck and spine injuries that may come with it. However, it still provides the benefits of the sports, such as improved cardiovascular health, strength

and endurance, and social skills. Other schools such as Lincoln High School and Branham High School have already established their own flag football programs in previous years, contributing to the sport’s expanding footprint. The school’s

varsity team prepares to play against them and other high schools within the BVAL.

“I felt as though we deserved a team to showcase our skills, develop team bonding and encourage more girls to play the sport. I definitely enjoy my time with the team and feel like everybody is excited for the season,” Sophomore Amulya Tadimeti said.

In fact, the sport as a whole has been gaining traction nationwide for several years: the National Football League (NFL) is working with over 2,000 American highschools to include flag football in their physical education curriculums, colleges such as La Sierra University of California and 14 other American universities have also begun to offer flag football programs, providing women opportunities to compete at higher levels and pursue careers in the sport.

The sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is another testament to its growing significance. Pierre Trochet, president of the International Federation of American Football, believes that the format of flag football is the perfect fit for the Games of the new generation.

Leland’s introduction of Girl’s Flag Football is a significant step towards inclusivity and diversity in the school’s athletic program. As the sport continues to grow, it will inspire and empower future generations of female athletes from Leland

and beyond.

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