Eagles Girls Flag Football Showcase highlights sport’s explosive growth

The league was created in hopes of catalyzing flag’s progress toward becoming a state-sanctioned sport in Pennsylvania. Even after just one season, it’s well on its way.

“It’s really cool to have all those girls play their first year of flag football, and now have this opportunity to hopefully be recognized and play at the next level,” said Eagles Youth and Community Relations Manager Daniel Levy.

“We’re here to support them, we’re hopeful that things like this will inspire the next group.”

In order to be considered an emerging sport, 25 schools are required to play at the club level – and the league will likely reach that number by the start of the spring season. Though gaining that status is just a step forward through a tenuous PIAA recognition process, the growing number of new teams proves the goal is well within reach,

“Our counterparts in Pittsburgh are doing a similar league, so after this year, we hope to be at an emerging-level sport. Then, once we get to 100, we’re going to apply to be a state-sanctioned sport, which would mean we’re recognized by the state and they help to run the state championship,” said Levy.

At the event, Archbishop Ryan’s flag football coach Sue Dutka marveled at the talented pool of athletes on the field in front of her, thinking of her own team, who had participated in the inaugural season of the Eagles’ league. She says her girls are anxiously awaiting their return to the gridiron after watching the Eagles’ preseason game against the Jets the night before.

“It’s grown so fast. I feel like after all of this, everybody sees how exciting the sport is. It’s going to get even bigger in the year to come before the season starts,” she said.