Girls flag football pilot program coming to New York State this spring
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Young women across Monroe County will be scoring touchdowns come spring.
Eight schools in the county were chosen and awarded grant money by the Buffalo Bills and the NFL to launch an all-girls flag football team. News10NBC caught up with Edison Tech and Destiny Christian School. Destiny School says this will be the first time it’s had sports in the last few years.
"This is the first varsity sport we’ve had in a couple of years," said David Barry executive director of Destiny Christian School. "COVID took its toll on a lot of schools, folks and kids."
Chris Golamb, the athletic director for Edison Tech, says his students are also excited.
"This is the first program in NYS where girls will have the opportunity to participate in flag football," he said.
When word of applications for a girls flag football pilot program in NYS got out, Golamb and Barry told News10NBC they hit "submit" as quick as they could.
"I jumped right on as soon as I saw it was coming to New York,” Golamb said.
The league will have about eight games this spring, playing against the other chosen schools in the county. They’ll have the gear to do it, too. Nike, the Buffalo Bills and New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) will be giving each school uniforms and all the equipment needed to play.
"Our girls are so excited to be part of this. You have this around Super Bowl time so there is a little extra enthusiasm, but any time they’re involved with the Buffalo Bills, it’s a big deal, especially here in Upstate New York,” Barry added.
"It’s just another step in the right direction for athletics, for our students… you know I’ve talked to some young ladies already and they were like, ‘when can we sign up? ‘Who’s our coach?’ Golamb added.
As an added bonus, teams will be able to participate in pre-season scrimmages hosted by our very own Buffalo Bills, and on top of that, teams will have the chance to play on the turf at Highmark Stadium.