Girls flag football has seen a significant rise in popularity in Oregon high schools since its debut in 2023. The sport has quickly gained traction, with 575 players from 32 schools participating this year. Some schools, such as South Salem, St. Mary’s Academy, and South Eugene, have even fielded two teams each. Rebecca Brisson, one of the league’s organizers, expressed her pleasant surprise at the sport tripling in size from the first to the second year.
Flag football has met the threshold of 25 schools required to be recognized as an emerging activity by the OSAA. It is set to come up for vote at the next OSAA delegate assembly meeting in October. If approved, flag football would remain an emerging activity for two years before potentially being sanctioned if it reaches 50 schools by the end of that period.
The growth of flag football in Oregon has been supported by Brisson’s extensive football background and collaboration with Nike. The sport is already well-established in other states, with 11 state associations sanctioning it and 17 others in pilot programs. Oregon teams played a six-week schedule this year, culminating in a state tournament won by South Salem.
Coaches and officials have been impressed by the enthusiasm and competitiveness of the girls playing flag football. Many players are balancing participation in the sport with other spring sports or club activities. Coaches like DJ Correa of South Salem and Adam Meyer of Gresham have expressed their excitement and optimism for the future of flag football. Meyer noted that the girls on his team had a blast playing the sport, showcasing their skills and competitiveness on the field. With the potential for OSAA sanctioning on the horizon, flag football in Oregon appears to be on a promising trajectory.
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