Girls’ flag football faces hurdles in Spokane despite statewide growth

SPOKANE, Wash. — Girls’ flag football is gaining momentum across Washington, but schools in Spokane said they aren’t planning to establish teams anytime soon.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) officially sanctioned girls’ flag football on Monday, following a surge in popularity on the west side of the state, largely due in part to support from the Seattle Seahawks.

It is the WIAA’s first newly sanctioned sport since 1999.

The organization said it is considering making it a winter sport, a season that typically sees the lowest participation in school athletics.

Playing flag football in the winter, however, might not work so well in eastern Washington.

“That doesn’t necessarily work in all our environments around the state. Especially up there in the Spokane area,” said WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman.

Spokane, Mead and Central Valley School Districts have considered adding flag football in the past but said a lack of field space and limited student interest are major barriers to getting the sport up and running.

The Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA) has offered the sport for boys and girls in 1st through 6th grade for several years.

It said it has seen more and more girls get involved.

“Our biggest limitation is making sure the word is out there and making sure access is there for everyone to just give it a try,” said Taylor McBride, SYSA flag football coordinator. “Actually, in the fall, we had a team that was about 80% girls. So it was amazing. It was so fun to see them out there, and I know they definitely want to come back for future seasons as well.”

SYSA hosts its games on the four flag football fields at Andrew Rypien Park, which is currently planning to add a fifth field.

Currently, SYSA’s flag football league is co-ed, but this fall, it plans to offer its first-ever girls-only flag football league for 3rd through 6th grade.

“Start them out small so that they can have that time to develop with their classmates, with their friends, feel comfortable to develop and then hopefully, they’ll be able to go on to middle school or high school as it grows here in our community,” said McBride.