Hawai‘i makes girls’ flag football a high school sport

Page Content

HONOLULU - The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) and the Hawai'i State Department of Education (HIDOE) have teamed up with the National Football League, the Seattle Seahawks and Nike, among other private contributors, to make high school girls' flag football a reality. Starting this school year, all public high schools can offer varsity girls' flag football - making Hawai'i the 12th state in the country to sanction it as a high school sport.

The announcement was made Thursday in a joint press conference with the HIDOE, the HHSAA, and supporters at McKinley High School's athletic complex.

"With the potential for 1,000 female athletes statewide to participate in the inaugural season, these young women are not just making history - they are trailblazing a path for future generations of female high school athletes. Their involvement will inspire and empower countless others in the years to come," HIDOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. "The Department appreciates the partnership with HHSAA, our generous sponsors and our dedicated athletic directors and school administrators for providing this historic opportunity."

"It is so profound that we are continuing to follow the legacy and the life work of Patsy T. Mink and Title IX," said Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, the state's only elected woman in the Executive Branch.

Girls' flag football will be played in a 7-on-7 format in the spring season. All 44 public schools statewide, along with a handful of private schools, across the following leagues intend to field a team: the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF), the Kauai Interscholastic Federation (KIF), the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) and the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA).

McKinley High School senior Trishelle Domingo said she looks forward to trying out for her school's inaugural flag football team.

"Girls' flag football will be an amazing opportunity for girls who are interested in playing high school sports. There is no doubt that it will be enjoyed and that there is a high interest in the sport," Domingo said. "I hope this excitement is seen throughout all of the high schools around the state. I am extremely excited to see an increase in student participation in sports, especially on the girls' side."

The tentative start date for competition is Feb. 27, 2025, with a 12-team HHSAA state tournament the week of April 21.

"Through these athletic opportunities, I have seen first-hand the benefits that education-based athletics offers," said Hawaii High School Athletic Association Executive Director Chris Chun. "It is with great pride to know that we have expanded opportunities to female student-athletes beginning this very school year."

The inaugural season of high school girls' flag football in Hawaii will be covered through private sponsorships.

The NFL and the Seahawks will provide grants for equipment. Uniforms will be provided by Nike. The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) will donate protective headgear, while Hawaii Dental Service will supply mouthguards and flags.

"It's amazing to see the continued growth and adoption of girls' flag football programs across the country, and we are thrilled that it's become a state sanctioned sport in Hawai'i," Seattle Seahawks Vice President of Community Engagement & Legends Mario Bailey said. "The Seahawks are proud to continue our efforts across Hawai'i to help grow their girls flag programs through clinics, events and grant funding, and give as many girls as possible the opportunity to play at the highest level."

Marcus Mariota's Motiv8 Foundation has also pledged funding to support girls' flag football in Hawaii.

"For year two and beyond, we are going to enlist the support of our friends in the legislature, and hopefully they will jump on board, as I am confident that they will to ensure that flag football is here for many years to come," said Keith Amemiya, chair of the Governor's Sports Task Force.

The addition comes at a time when girls' flag football is exploding in popularity across the United States. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), 31 of the 51 state athletic associations are participating in girls' flag football, either as a sanctioned sport or as a pilot program. In addition, both men and women's flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.