News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Executive Director Doug Ute
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association has elevated ladies flag soccer to a completely acknowledged sport for the 2026-27 faculty yr, following a unanimous vote of the OHSAA Board of Directors at its June assembly.
Girls flag soccer turns into the OHSAA’s 29th acknowledged sport, together with 15 sports activities for ladies and 14 for boys. There are actually 23 highschool state associations within the United States that sanction ladies flag soccer and a complete of 40 states that supply ladies highschool soccer applications. Flag soccer will probably be included as a brand new sport within the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“The OHSAA is so proud to welcome girls flag football to our family,” stated Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “Flag football has grown so rapidly and will continue to do so. The Browns, Bengals and NFL put in so much work to promote the game and bring us to this moment to welcome girls flag football to the OHSAA.”
This previous spring, there have been 162 highschool ladies flag soccer groups in Ohio. In May, the OHSAA partnered with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to conduct a highschool state match occasion, which was received by Macedonia Nordonia.
“The Bengals are proud to support girls flag football and celebrate this historic milestone, which will help pave the way for the sport’s continued growth and success,” stated Bengals Vice President Elizabeth Blackburn. “Full sanctioning is a testament to the dedication of many advocates who helped make it possible, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association, athletic directors, players, coaches and referees. The rapid expansion of flag football across Ohio reflects the passion, talent and commitment young women have for the game. We are excited to see the opportunities this creates for future generations of athletes.”
The OHSAA has been assembly with Ohio flag soccer leaders for a number of years. The development of women flag soccer started in 2021 with the creation of the primary Girls High School Flag Football division in Northeast Ohio. Three years in the past, there have been 20 faculties in Ohio that had a staff. Girls Flag Football is included within the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.
“The recognition of girls flag football as an official varsity sport in Ohio is a tremendous milestone for student-athletes across the state,” stated Cleveland Browns Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “At the Cleveland Browns, we believe in creating more opportunities for young athletes to learn, compete and grow through the game of football and this decision marks just the beginning of that journey for many young women across Ohio. We’re proud to support the continued growth of girls flag football and look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on schools, communities and the next generation of players.”
Dates for the 2027 season and match will probably be decided within the close to future. The Bengals and Browns will proceed to be closely concerned with ladies flag soccer in Ohio.
For extra info on the Cincinnati Bengals work within the Girls High School Flag Football house go to: https://www.bengals.com/community/girls-flag-football