New England Patriots Foundation hosts Girls High School Flag Championship
June 16, 2023, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
We were invited to witness a HERstoric moment for girls high school sports in the great state of Massachusetts on June 16th.
This extraordinary, first time event was held in Gillette Stadium and hosted/supported/funded by the NE Patriots Foundation.
The eight inaugural girls teams filled the enormous venue with incredible energy and sheer joy as they left everything on the turf, battling for the state's very first high school girls flag football title.
In a final battle that didn't disappoint - and had everyone holding their breath - Leominster HS captured the title against formidable St. Mary's Lynn, with a final score of 13-12. A definite "nail-biter-finish" that exhibited the energy and excitement of the girls' game.
The bigger picture goal of this collaboration between the Patriots and local advocates for the girls flag game is to have the sport sanctioned by the Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). The efforts of local leaders and that of national football organizations (NFL, USA Football, NFL Flag, etc) have thus far been consistent. The full court press is ON and shows NO signs of letting up. This is good news for the football-loving girls of Massachusetts.
Girls flag football, as of this date, been sanctioned as a high school sport in a total of 8 states: New York, Alabama, Alaska, California, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Nevada. Just 42 more states to go.
We have no doubt that THIS game is HERS, too.
-- Dana Sparling, Executive Director
HERSTORY MADE
IN CONNECTICUT
April 29, 2023 - Windsor, CT
WGF was in the House for the CT High School Flag Football Jamboree and bore witness, once again, to the joy this game brings to girls and the adults who create the opportunities for them to play. Over 230 participants representing 12 high schools became a part of Connecticut sports herstory. Event Organizer, Brandon Jubrey's goal was - and continues to be - to showcase the skyrocketing interest of girls across the state in playing this great game. The CIAC has even more evidence now to justify adding girls flag football as a sanctioned high school sport and we hope they will do so!!
-- Dana Sparling, Executive Director
Record Participant Numbers
at SYSO Clinic!!
"Say it loud - MIGHTY GIRLS!!!"
WGF Coaches alongside SYSO Girls Flag Leadership
March 25, 2023- Carmel Hamlet, NY
The rainy day was certainly made bright by the over 65 girls, ages 8-13, who participated in this epic afternoon at the beautiful Carmel Sports Club!!
An additional couple of dozen kindergartners through age 6 squealed with joy prior to our clinic, learning the game with the volunteers of SYSO!!
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WGF's Dana Sparling pictured with our
first ever
Mighty Shadow-Coaches!!
Connecticut Flag Clinic
Hartford, CT - July 23rd, 2022
The Foundation co-hosted this first time clinic with the CT Flag league and founder, Brandon Jubrey.
Held on the beautiful turf field located at Annie Fisher Montessori School, we taught football skills to nearly 60 girls, ages 8-15. We also incorporated our very first Shadow Coaching component for adult women who wanted to learn football basics and build their confidence around coaching. Chick-fil-A provided a delicious lunch for us all as well.
Dick's Sporting Goods was also on hand to present a check for $2,000 to Mr. Jubrey in support of his program and its continued growth.
Mr. Jubrey and his staff have created a safe, supportive and fun space in the greater Hartford area for girls to learn this great game of football. We wish him continued success and look forward to another collaboration in the future!!
-- Dana Sparling, Executive Director
Somers Youth Sports Organization and Gridiron Partners
Somers, New York - February 6th, 2021 - Present
SYSO Commissioners and Gridiron Partners founders, Katie DiChiaro and Jennifer Kisslinger reached out to us in late 2020 and asked for our administrative guidance and coaching expertise with their brand new girls flag football program.
Having crafted carefully thought out Covid protocols, we held the first of what would be 3 clinics in early 2021 at Solaris Sports Indoor Facility in Somers, New York. Our all female coaching staff was comprised of former NY Shark and current NY Wolves tackle players. Having female coaches was of paramount importance to both Katie and Jennifer as they wanted their girls to see that not only playing football was an option, but coaching as well.
We held an outdoor clinic for the girls of SYSO in May of 2021, building upon the knowledge and skills from earlier sessions and transitioning into formations, play design, rules and game strategy.
In late August, 2021, we held our first ever "Not your Kid's Football Clinic" for adult women connected to the SYSO program. This new programming was so well received, that we had a waiting list for the clinic within 5 days and then no one wanted to stop playing when the clinic was scheduled to end so we played for another hour !! What a fabulous day of football, sisterhood and laughter! We held a second clinic for these Mighty Women in November of 2021. Future clinics are in the works!
-- Dana Sparling, Executive Director
Staten Island Girls (SIG) Flag Football Program
Staten Island, 11/9/19
The Foundation hosted and produced this clinic for our Football Sisters on Staten Island in New York City.
Players from the New York Wolves Women's Tackle Football Team coached the event
and we were also joined by the New York Guardians president, Janet Duch.
Special thanks to Coach Mike Colt for assisting in pulling the day together. His dedication to his girls is truly inspiring.
-- Dana Sparling, Executive Director
(L) Janet Duch, NY Guardians President with (R) Dana Sparling, COO of WGF
