Girls on the Gridiron: Indianapolis Colts push to make Girls Flag Football a Varsity Sport

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Indianapolis Colts are investing in the future of football here in Michiana.

The team wants to expand girls' flag football statewide and make it an official sport. This idea started four years ago as a way to bring more girls into the game. Schools in South Bend like St. Joe, Riley, Washington, and Adams have already committed.

"We know there's a discrepancy between boys' participation and girls' participation, and we want to do our part to continue to grow the offerings for girls. They haven't had that full space within the game, and now they do to the point where they can play at an elite level without ever having to ask, do I love the sport enough to play boys' tackle football and just continuing to grow the game," Indianapolis Colts Senior Football Development Manager Andy Matis said.

In 2023, the Colts started a high school league with eight teams, which has now grown into 27 teams.

Through their "Road to 100" initiative, the Colts are aiming for 100 schools to participate, with 57 schools already committed, to make girls flag football an official high school sport. The family of Colts owner Jim Irsay has stepped in to help with the goal, covering schools' startup costs for uniforms, equipment and coaching.

The Colts say this is all about giving opportunities to girls so they can succeed both on and off the field.

"Whether it be football or any other sport, we would just want girls to have those opportunities and want to do our part to lower any barrier, to increase the amount of opportunities that we have. The more people playing our game, the more fans will have, the more people will have paying attention to our game, and the more and the better the game will be," Matis said.

Girls' flag football will be up and running again in the fall. Local schools are encouraged to head to the Colts' website and fill out the interest form to bring flag football to campus.