Washington sanctions girls flag football as high school sport, first addition since 1999

WASHINGTON STATE — Girls' flag football is Washington’s newest sanctioned high school sport, according to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA).

This marks the first time since 1999 that the WIAA has sanctioned a new sport.

“The WIAA is excited to welcome a new activity to the Association. We’re thankful to the Seattle Seahawks and James Neil for their leadership in helping bring Girls Flag Football to this point, and we look forward to continuing that partnership as the sport grows statewide,” WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman said.

The Seattle Seahawks have been a committed supporter of girls' flag programs since 2021. The organization had given more than $381,000 in grant funding to help launch more than 100 girls' flag high school teams across Washington. Another $200,000 commitment of grant awards for 2025 was recently announced as well.

“The Seahawks are thrilled with the announcement by the WIAA. This is a historic moment for our state and an exciting milestone for all the girls flag athletes in our region who now have the opportunity to play at the highest level,” said Chuck Arnold, President of the Seahawks and First & Goal Inc.

The sanctioning of high school girls' flag football also allows for teams to play in an official state tournament. Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028, as announced by the International Olympic Committee in 2023.

“We believe that everyone should have the access and opportunity to play football, and the momentum we’ve seen for girls flag has been incredible,”saidMario Bailey, Seahawks Vice President of Community Engagement & Legends.“Sanctioning girls flag is an amazing step in giving these girls a new avenue to pursue playing flag football in college and beyond.”

Women's flag football will be offered in nearly 60 colleges and universities across the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA as of Spring 2025. The sport will officially be sanctioned in Washington state as of Aug. 1.