Reviewed by: Liv George
20 Alabama high schools receive funding to launch girls’ flag football programs
Girls’ flag football has grown in Alabama every year since it was introduced as a high school sport in 2021. Now, 20 more schools will be able to launch their own programs.
Those 20 high schools will receive grants from the Arthur Blank Family Foundation. Arthur Blank is the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and his foundation + franchise have been crucial in growing the sport of flag football for girls across Georgia and Alabama.
Keep reading to find out more about which schools will receive the grant money + more about girls’ flag football in the state.
Which schools are getting the grants
The Falcons officially announced the news earlier this week, releasing the 20 schools who would be receiving the money for their girls’ flag football program. The schools include:
- Austin High School
- Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School
- Carver High School
- Clark-Shaw Magnet High School
- Decatur High School
- Elberta High School
- Ellwood Christian Academy
- Enterprise High School
- Foley High School
- Hazel Green High School
- Marbury High School
- Monroe County High School
- Montevallo High School
- Mountain Brook High School
- Pell City High School
- Percy Julian High School
- Robertsdale High School
- Spanish Fort High School
- Tallassee High School
- Wilcox Central High School
With the addition of these schools, there are now 113 schools who have declared their intention to field a girls flag football team for the 2024 season.
“Watching the growth of Flag football over the past three years has been amazing. The Falcons have instrumental in that growth and providing more opportunities for our female athletes.”
~ AHSAA Flag Football Director Jeff Segars
Growing the sport
The Falcons also helped first launch the sport at the high school level in the state through a partnership with the Alabama High School Athletic Association and NFLFlag. In 2021, around 50 schools competed in the first AHSAA girls’ flag football season.
Last year, that number grew to 86 teams across the state competing in two classifications for the first time. Central-Phenix City won the 6A-7A championship with Wenonah claiming the 1A-5A title.
Girls’ flag football is now officially sanctioned as a championship sport in the state.
Will you head out to watch a girls’ flag football game this fall? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
