NFL encourages the addition of flag football
Boys will not be the only ones running through the football field this Sept., as the NPHS girls’ flag football team will take their stance in the competition. Rising up to the sports approval, there was a big push from the NFL to CIF to include flag football as a high school sport. Schools throughout CVUSD and beyond showcased a plethora of interest, allowing for the sport’s official addition. To increase participation, NPHS notified students and provided them the opportunity to take part in a training camp on March 11.
With only a few more items to check off her high school bucket list, Kailey Greene, junior, decided to take up flag football during her senior year. “It is so cool that the school now has a team for the girls to play on. I am so excited that I get to be a part of the first year. I’m sure there will be many great seasons to come as the sport grows,” Greene said.
At the training camp, hosted by the Los Angeles Rams, students got a glimpse of what playing flag football in a high school league would look like. Michael Godfrey, NPHS Athletics Director, invited students who had shown interest to the camp and was there to oversee the event. “[Students participated in] drills, passing, catching, pulling flags and doing some fun, footwork type of things, and then they actually got to scrimmage each other and play as well,” Godfrey said. “Afterwards, they had four women from the Rams organization sit down and speak with all the girls to tell them about opportunities for women in sports.”
As suspense builds up towards the arrival of the season, Jessica Leff, sophomore, eagerly awaits for the excitement surrounding the sport both on and off the field. “I’m really excited for the season next year because I feel like it’s gonna get a lot of publicity because this is something people are going to want to see,” Leff said. “I like playing because it’s new and [flag football] came naturally to me. I just enjoy playing and I keep wanting to get better.”
Due to this being flag football’s first year as an official high school sport, there are still many questions left up in the air. “We haven’t been given any rules yet. And then we need to figure out the coordination of how we are going to do this. We have been given no direction on how any of this is going to work so we’re gonna have to work together with the other schools to make it the best possible experience for everybody,” Godfrey said.
Regardless of the uncertainty that lies within the logistics of the sport, the girls look forward to being able to meet new people and gain athletic experience. “I don’t know how the season will go because I haven’t met my teammates or coaches yet. I think the season will be really fun regardless of how we play,” Greene said. “I hope to bring good energy to the team. I want this team to enjoy playing with each other and look forward to practice every day.”
