by 16th Middlesex State Representative Rodney Elliott

The recent vote by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) to “deny” Girls High School Flag Football as a state sanctioned sport during the Spring 2025 Season, is a disappointing setback for women’s sports here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This vote and decision raise serious concerns regarding gender equity in athletics.

As I put pen to paper and reflect on this decision, it is important to highlight that high schools across the country already have well established varsity programs. My office has been working with area high schools and the New England Patriots to jump start programs, some of which met with great success. In 2023, the New England Patriots launched a pilot girls high school flag football program with 8 teams, paying for all the start-up costs. In two short years’ time, participation level has tripled to 23 teams.

MIAA and some high school Athletic Directors (AD’s) have expressed concerns about the potential impact on existing spring sports programs. This has little to no merit, in fact, 80 % of the girls who signed up and played have never played a high school spring sport. There is a clear demand for this sport in our high schools, which I witnessed firsthand last spring, when nearly 90 female athletes signed up for tryouts at the Greater Lowell Technical High School.

This vote not only limits opportunities for female athletes but also undermines the progress female athletics have made. Girls flag football has rapidly gained popularity, being sanctioned by 11 states nationwide and is played at numerous collegiate institutions. It will make its Olympic debut in 2028.

Girls Flag Football is a safe and engaging sport. It is a movement of gender equality in the world of athletics. Sanctioning this sport would help close the gap between boys and girls high school sports participation that currently stands at one million more boys than girls.

By rejecting the opportunity to sanction this sport, the Commonwealth not only risks falling behind the states that have embraced flag, but we are sending the message to young female athletes that their interests and ambitions in sports are not valued. This is a massive disservice to the next generation of female athletes who are very eager to break barriers and become leaders. Other states have successfully integrated similar programs, showcasing the potential for growth.

I urge those who voted against implementation of girls high school flag football, to reconsider their denial. As a father of two daughters and three granddaughters, along with over 25 years of coaching experience, I believe this decision represents a missed opportunity to advance equality, health and a sense of community spirit within our schools.

We must champion the interests of our female athletes and work toward a more inclusive future in sports. Please contact the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) at MIAA@MIAA.net or call (508) 541-7997 and ask them to sanction Girls Flag Football programs.