IHSA announces girls flag football will debut in fall of 2024

Posted on February 14, 2024
The state finals will be held October 11-12 and bids will be taken to find a host site. (Photo courtesy IHSA)

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) on Wednesday announced that girls flag football will be the latest sport to debut an IHSA State Championship Series in 2024.

The IHSA Board of Directors approved the girls flag football state series during its regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 4.

“The addition of Girls Flag Football furthers the IHSA mission of creating participation opportunities for high school students in Illinois,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson in a news release. “The sport has experienced significant growth in a short amount of time, and our member schools are excited to see it become an IHSA sport. The Chicago Public Schools Athletic Administration and the Chicago Bears both deserve significant praise for their grassroots efforts in shepherding and supporting the growth of girls flag football in Illinois.”

Girls flag football joins a growing list of sports and activities that have recently conducted their inaugural IHSA State Series, including Girls Wrestling (2022), Esports (2022), Boys and Girls Lacrosse (2018), and Competitive Dance (2013).

Over 100 IHSA schools have committed to having a girls flag football team next school year. 40 other schools have expressed that they anticipate fielding a team in 2025.

The state finals will be held October 11-12 and bids will be taken to find a host site.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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