IHSA announces girls flag football as official varsity sport - Chicago Sun-Times

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Many people tell senior manager of girls flag football Juliana Zavala they wish there was girls flag football when they were in high school. Now, the girls after them don't have to wish.

It was announced Wednesday at Halas Hall that girls flag football would become an official Illinois High School Association sport starting during the 2024-25 season.

The sport began play in Illinois in 2021. Interest quickly spread throughout the state and after a year of existence, the sport had 50 teams participating in 2022. Over 100 teams participated throughout the 2023 season which exceeded the threshold to become an offical IHSA sport.

The Bears hosted the 2023 Bears state championship game for girls flag football, which Lane won in 2023. The championship game was held inside the Walter Payton center at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.

"The Chicago Bears remain committed to aggressively championing the growth of girls flag football," Bears CEO Kevin Warren said at Wednesday's press conference. "This is the beginning, but access and equity begin with these historical first moments that make the Chicago Bears, and me personally, inspired for the future of girls flag football for generations to come."

Zavala grew up in Mexico watching the Dallas Cowboys play on television. She immediately took interest in the sport and played football with the boys, but there weren't avenues for her to play the sport.

"One of the things that I wish I had when I was growing up is the opportunity to play flag football," Zavala told the Sun-Times.

Solorio's Karla Martinez was the first Chicago Public Schools student to earn a scholarship for girl's flag football in 2023. Zavala said the number has grown to three players, and the opportunities are endless with flag football becoming an IHSA-sanctioned sport.

IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said over 100 programs have committed to playing girls flag football next Fall.

"We had our state playoffs here at Halas Hall," Zavala said, "and to be able to have the Bears open their doors for us it's just an epic moment for us knowing that we're part of this program and it's inclusive."

But the true impact lies with the girls participating. Several players from Simeon, Lane and Solorio were represented at Wednesday's press conference. After years of not having an ability to play this sport, Wednesday's announcement is a landmark decision in women's sports.

"It's sort of been a thing that we did but now it feels so much more important and significant," Lane junior Alaina Valmassei told the Sun-Times. To be able to play and be a part of this feels like we're really doing something."

Valmassei said her and her teammates bonded over having no experience prior to joining the team. Together, they went through the trials and tribulations together. From 6.00 a.m. practices, to state champions, they forged stronger relationships.

The parternship with the Bears was crucial in CPS and the IHSA being able to turn flag football into an official varsity sport.

"Just seeing the girls and how they grow and build their confidence level, self esteem and the opportunity to take risks," Zavala said of the growth of the sport. "It's changing lives."

While it's known where the state championship will be held, the inaugural IHSA state championship takes place on Oct. 11-12.

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