HAGERSTOWN, MD News (4/24/2024) – In a joint effort between the Baltimore Ravens, Under Armour, and Maryland’s public school systems, an initiative to introduce girls flag football as a varsity sport has been unveiled. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) have announced their partnership with the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour, marking a significant expansion in the initiative’s scope.
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The collaborative effort, announced on April 22, 2024, follows a successful pilot year in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) and demonstrates a commitment to advancing opportunities for female student-athletes across the state of Maryland. The program, which started with 10 schools in 2023, has expanded rapidly, with 51 schools set to participate in 2024.
Under this partnership, grant funding from the Baltimore Ravens will support the introduction of girls flag football programs in Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Washington County. Additionally, Under Armour will provide custom uniforms for each participating team, emphasizing its commitment to empowering female athletes and promoting access to sports.
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The expansion of girls flag football comes as a welcome addition to high school athletics, particularly in regions like South Hagerstown High School, where it marks the first varsity sport addition since unified sports were introduced over a decade ago.
Brad Downs, the Ravens’ senior vice president of marketing, expressed pride in the program’s growth, highlighting its role in shaping a more inclusive sports environment. He emphasized the responsibility to continue expanding opportunities for female student-athletes throughout Maryland.
Trey Evans, director of team sports marketing at Under Armour, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of sports in fostering confidence and leadership among young women.
In 2023, the inaugural season saw 280 student-athletes from FCPS participate in an eight-week season culminating in a championship event. The success of this season has spurred further interest and participation, with the aim of ultimately establishing girls flag football as a state-sanctioned sport.
The enthusiasm for girls flag football extends beyond Maryland, with the sport experiencing steady growth nationwide and internationally. The recent endorsement by the International Olympic Committee, adding women’s flag football to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, further underscores its rising prominence.
Leaders from participating school districts, including Tiffany Byrd of Baltimore City Public Schools, Kevin Kendro of FCPS, Eric Michael of WCPS, and Dr. Jeff Sullivan of MCPS, expressed excitement about the program’s expansion and its potential to provide meaningful opportunities for female student-athletes. They emphasized the values of equity, access, and spirited competition that underpin this initiative.
As Maryland joins the growing movement to provide equal opportunities for female athletes, the collaboration between the Baltimore Ravens, Under Armour, and Maryland’s public school systems sets a promising precedent for the future of girls flag football.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors
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