On a warm June evening under the bright lights of the Plymouth North High School football field, close to 100 spectators gathered to witness something truly special: a “Super Bowl” showdown between teams made up of middle school girls from Plymouth Public Schools’ first-ever girls flag football league.
This event wasn’t just a game – it was a celebration of what’s possible when young athletes are given a space to compete, grow, and shine. And for more than 30 middle school girls, it marked the beginning of something long overdue.
Flag football has been gaining momentum across the country, with 15 states now offering girls flag football as an official high school varsity sport. Despite this growth, Massachusetts has not yet followed suit. Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) voted against adding girls flag football to its roster of varsity sports. That decision was disheartening but not defeating.
As a middle school teacher and parent of two daughters who have played flag football in coed leagues for years, I knew there was interest and talent in our community. When I approached our local high school athletic director about starting a girls flag program, he was excited and supportive but uncertain whether interest existed. For years, I listened to my daughters complain about never being invited to play football at recess with the boys, or never getting passed to if they were. I imagined that was likely the story for girls everywhere, so I took the idea straight to my students.
The response was overwhelming. Over 30 girls signed up to be part of our inaugural season. Over the past several weeks, they’ve practiced, learned the game, built friendships, and competed with energy and pride. The season culminated with a Super Bowl on Friday June 13, a game that had the intensity and excitement of a varsity playoff, complete with fans in the stands and touchdowns under the lights.
Beyond the score, what mattered most was the message: Girls have always wanted to play football. Girls deserve the opportunity to play flag football. Our community is ready to support them.
It is important to note that that support includes men: coaches, administrators, fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, cousins, and community leaders who are using their voices and positions to help grow and uplift girls’ sports. Their involvement and advocacy play a crucial role in breaking down barriers and opening doors. When men actively support women’s athletics, they send a powerful message: equity in sports isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s a community issue.
As four-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird proudly says, “Everyone watches women’s sports.” That quote has become a rallying cry, and this past Friday night in Plymouth was proof. Stands full of parents, classmates, and neighbors showed up not just out of curiosity, but out of pride.
I know that what we started this season can become the foundation for something bigger. With continued interest and community backing, there’s no reason we can’t build a high school girls flag football program in Plymouth and surrounding towns. The talent is here, the passion is here, now we need the pathways.
As we cheer on these young athletes and their accomplishments, let’s also look ahead to what more we can do. Friday night was just the beginning, and I couldn’t be prouder of these girls for lighting the way.
– Brendan Brady
Brady is a coach in the girls flag football league.