Welcome to the party, New Jersey!

Today marks a celebration as the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Board of Directors voted to officially sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport, with full implementation targeted for the 2026-27 school year.

Beginning in 2023, the Eagles partnered with schools in South Jersey (West Jersey Football League) and have provided stipends, customized Nike uniforms, flag belts, footballs, and USA Football Flag Kits to their 30 NJSIAA member schools during a pilot program in the fastest-growing sport in the country.

"This is a landmark moment for both the game of football and the state of New Jersey," said Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman & CEO, Philadelphia Eagles. "From the earliest days supporting girls flag football, we believed in the sport's ability to grow and create meaningful opportunities for young female athletes. What started as an ambitious goal to get the sport sanctioned in Pennsylvania has evolved into an ongoing pursuit to expand the sport beyond state lines. We are thankful for the NJSIAA's decision to sanction girls flag football and look forward to seeing it continue to thrive and inspire communities throughout New Jersey."

"The rise of girls flag football in New Jersey reflects a strong collaborative effort, and we're thankful to the many partners who have supported student-athletes throughout this journey," said Colleen E. Maguire, Executive Director, NJSIAA. "The National Football League, including the Philadelphia Eagles, has been instrumental in raising awareness and creating opportunities from the outset, and that ongoing commitment has helped build the solid foundation we see today."

With an estimated 500+ girls participating in South Jersey, the sport appeals to those who have longed to play football with boys by offering what, not too long ago, was a seemingly impossible opportunity.

"Personally, it just means more when we create participation opportunities for teenage girls," Maguire said. "Study after study points to the positive benefits of girls participating in interscholastic athletics – social, emotional, and physical growth. I'm especially excited to bring the sport of football to our female student-athletes, empowering them to break gender stereotypes."

Since the Eagles Girls Flag Football League, presented by Gatorade, began in South Jersey with club teams four seasons ago, the student-athletes have become pioneers in cleats and are experiencing the growth of the sport from the beginning.

"Besides playing, what high school sports are all about is the enjoyment of the sport, learning a new sport, creating another competitive sport in the springtime for females," said June Cioffi, Director of Athletics for Kingsway Regional High School.

"It really has just taken off and our girls love it here at Kingsway. It's the promotion of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. It's a point of pride here at Kingsway, as well as it is at other schools."

"I hope that they realize how big this sport is becoming in the state of New Jersey and across the country," said Camden Catholic High School Head Coach Barbara Hertline. "I think with anything, when something's presented, it gives them a new opportunity. Maybe for those who haven't found their sport, this was something new for them and it has brought a lot of excitement that they could start something new. The excitement surrounding it overall and across the country has been big with the exposure that the NFL has given these girls."

In its brief life, flag football has already made an impact on high school spring sports in South Jersey. By becoming sanctioned, that impact will only grow larger.

Kevin Murphy, Athletic Director at Washington Township High School since 2002, feels there is value in education-based athletics, particularly through teamwork. At his school, they call it – the classroom after 3 o'clock.

"It's a great opportunity being presented by the NJSIAA to sponsor flag football as a championship sport starting in the spring of 2027," Murphy said. "It's always exciting to add sports. I think it's a positive opportunity. We've been operating as a club for the past few years, and we're just excited to see the growth continue for our female student-athletes."

Since the start of the Eagles Girls Flag Football League, presented by Gatorade, three years ago, the Eagles have hosted the Final Four and state championships, with Mastery High School of Camden winning the title in 2023 and 2025, and Kingsway Regional High School taking it in 2024.

In addition to hosting girls flag championships, the Eagles' support has also included the facilitation of learn-to-play, coaching, and officiating clinics, a girls flag sports performance combine, and girls flag jamborees.

While only two schools reach the championship game, whether they are throwing a pass, running into the end zone, making a block, or pulling a flag, by competing on the gridiron – win or lose – the girls are doing something their older sisters, and certainly their moms, never had an opportunity to do, and should feel proud of what they are accomplishing.

"A couple of years ago, the state of New Jersey added girls wrestling, and now we're adding girls flag football," Cioffi said. "So I think it's just the importance of taking a step forward for females. And for female athletes across the state of New Jersey, it's more opportunities.

"It's another sport for them to be a part of, another opportunity for them to be able to play another sport in college. And it's just a reflection of how New Jersey is growing and evolving for interscholastic athletics."