A Niles High School teacher and coach is championing a new frontier for girls’ sports in Southwest Michigan, urging more schools to adopt women’s flag football as an official varsity offering.
The Niles High School women’s flag football team played its final game of the season last week, capping a breakthrough year that has drawn praise from players and community leaders alike.
Ali Gerrits, a senior at Niles High and one of the team’s standout players, says the sport has become her favorite way to compete, citing the blend of strategy and camaraderie that keeps her coming back to the field.
A grassroots push across the region
While Michigan still counts only a handful of high school flag football programs in the southwest corner of the state, the momentum is building. Coach Ted Schrader, who leads the Niles squad, is working with local administrators to expand the concept beyond the district.
The Detroit Lions, the state’s NFL franchise, have launched a pilot program that introduces flag football at the high school level, providing a template for schools interested in starting a team. Registration for the pilot is handled through the Lions’ official website, detroitlions.com.
Schrader sees the pilot as a stepping stone toward broader adoption. He hopes the state will reach 100 participating teams within the next few years, a milestone he believes will trigger official sanctioning by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
Beyond the field, Gerrits is vocal about encouraging other young women to step out of their comfort zones and try the sport. “If you’ve ever thought about trying something new, flag football is a great way to do it,” she says, emphasizing the inclusive atmosphere the game fosters.
Both Schrader and Gerrits agree that more teams and opportunities for girls to play flag football would not only enrich athletic programs but also provide valuable life lessons in teamwork and confidence.