News Summary

Cleveland hosted its second annual ‘A New Era Summit’ on March 26, focusing on promoting girls flag football and empowering young female athletes. With over 850 participants from 46 high schools, the event featured inspirational speakers and valuable discussions on the growth of women’s flag football. Noteworthy figures from the NFL shared insights on the sport’s promising future, while the Browns showcased their commitment to expanding participation in Ohio. As interest in girls flag football surges and the sport gears up for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, enthusiasm for athletic opportunities among young girls continues to rise.

Cleveland Celebrates Girls Flag Football with Exciting ‘A New Era Summit’

On a vibrant day in Cleveland, the energy was high as the city hosted the second annual ‘A New Era Summit’ on March 26 at the renowned Huntington Bank Field. This fantastic event, presented by Gatorade and in collaboration with Bridgestone, aimed to promote participation in girls flag football and support aspiring young athletes.

With over 850 athletes from 46 high schools in attendance, the atmosphere was electric. The event gathered passionate young female athletes eager to learn about the sport and its potential. One standout moment of the day came from the summit’s speaker, Izzy Geraci, who is a proud member of the 2024 U.S. Women’s Flag National team. Geraci shared her dreams and aspirations to guide and inspire the young girls in attendance, encouraging them to chase their flag football dreams wholeheartedly.

Building Knowledge and Opportunities

The summit featured a riveting panel discussion with notable figures such as NFL Vice President and Head of Flag Football Stephanie Kwok, and Senior Advisor/Consultant to the NFL Mike Daniels. Moderated by Aditi Kinkhabwala from CBS Sports, the discussions centered around the remarkable growth of girls flag football and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. It was clear from the discussions that the future is bright for female athletes in this thrilling sport.

Throughout the day, participants had the fantastic chance to rotate through various interactive stations designed to shed light on the diverse career opportunities available within the sports industry. Each athlete also got to join in on a special photo shoot, donning their uniforms in preparation for the anticipated 2025 season. It was a memorable experience as they captured moments that would surely be cherished for years to come!

The Growth of Girls Flag Football in Ohio

The Cleveland Browns have been instrumental in pushing the envelope for girls flag football in Ohio. With high school girls flag football programming kicking off in fall 2021 with just two teams from four schools, the program has taken off like a rocket since then. In 2022, the Browns launched the first high school girls flag football division in Ohio, which grew to an impressive nine teams that year and expanded to a whopping 30 teams in 2023.

As anticipation builds for the upcoming seasons, 2024 is set to be a monumental year with the program expanding to 51 teams across Northeast Ohio. Even more exciting is the forecast for the 2025 spring season, which promises to see a leap to 88 teams, marking a breathtaking growth from 30 to 60 high schools!

Path to Sanctioning and Future Opportunities

With flag football set to be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, interest in the sport is surging. Currently, 14 states sanction girls flag football as an official sport, with a remarkable participation of 42,955 girls during the 2023-24 season — representing a staggering 105% increase from the previous year.

The Browns are committed to making Ohio a sanctioned state for girls flag football. Their ongoing discussions with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) showcase their dedication to growing the sport. To rally support, they encourage community members to reach out to OHSAA and express their enthusiasm for sanctioning girls flag football.

This vibrant initiative not only aims to grow participation in Central Ohio but also includes participating in the NFL Flag Championships and hosting numerous clinics and tournaments. It’s clear that the ‘A New Era Summit’ and similar events are pivotal in reflecting the increasing commitment to expanding female athletes’ involvement in flag football across Ohio and beyond.

As Cleveland continues to champion girls flag football, it is heartwarming to witness such enthusiasm and energy around the sport. The future is bright, and the opportunities are endless for young girls pursuing their dreams in flag football!

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