Another stop on the Service Body Shop Dotted Line Tour! Congratulations to the following Wichita Heights flag football players on signing to continue their careers at Hesston: Shyra Conner-Hansford, Anaya Ponds and La’Nori Dixon
Chiefs Launch “Let Her Play” Initiative in Support of Girls Flag Football in Kansas High Schools
Football has firmly entrenched itself as America’s favorite sport over the last several decades, and as that growth continues to explode exponentially, the Kansas City Chiefs are ensuring that anybody who wants to play has an opportunity to take the field.
That mandate is exemplified in the Chiefs’ support for youth flag football, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and – following a 60 percent increase in year-over-year high school participation nationally – girls’ flag football has taken center stage.
Notably, half a million girls between the ages of six and 17 are currently competing in flag football across the country. Participation is up 163 percent year-over-year in the state of Kansas alone, but as of now, girls’ flag football remains an unsanctioned sport in high schools throughout the state – a reality the Chiefs soon hope to change.
The franchise launched a campaign on April 2 dedicated to that very goal, coined “Let Her Play,” keen on encouraging members of the Kansas State High School Activities Association to sanction the sport when the organization convenes to vote on April 23.
It’s an opportunity to fundamentally alter the limited opportunities that currently exist in Kansas, following the lead of 17 other states that have already made girls’ flag football a sanctioned high school sport. In the meantime, the Chiefs continue to support young athletes throughout Kansas through grant funding, equipment, jerseys, scheduling assistance and hosting tournaments.
“This is about opportunity,” said Chiefs President Mark Donovan. “We’ve seen firsthand how girls’ flag football builds confidence, leadership, and a true sense of belonging for students who want to be part of the game. The momentum across Kansas is real, and moments like this have the power to open doors for an entire generation of student-athletes. Sanctioning girls flag football is the next step in turning this moment into lasting opportunity – one we can move forward by working together across Kansas.”
Indeed, the excitement surrounding flag football throughout the region – and the nation as a whole – is palpable. Participation is accelerating rapidly, and in recognition of that growth, the sport is creating new pathways to collegiate competition and long-term opportunities. More than 100 colleges now offer women’s flag football programs, for example. The NAIA and NJCAA launched programs in 2020, and earlier this year, NCAA Divisions I, II, and III all voted to grant flag football “Emerging Sport Status.”
Flag football will soon make its debut as an Olympic Sport at the 2028 Summer Games, as well.
Sanctioning girls’ flag football would mark a major step in accordance with that positive momentum, providing schools statewide with the ability to offer structured programs, establish standardized rules and governance, and create opportunities for official state championship competition.
Additionally, sanctioning girls’ flag football – which requires a fraction of the space and equipment demanded by many other sports – would begin to formalize a sustainable pathway from youth participation through high school athletics, expanding access while elevating the sport’s visibility and long-term viability across Kansas.
