A milestone for female athletes
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association announced in May that girls' flag football would become the 35th varsity sport across the state, a move that places New Jersey among the 21 states that have fully sanctioned the game. Roughly 4,200 students now compete on 140 teams, marking a rapid expansion that began just a year ago when the sport first appeared at Columbia High School.
At Columbia High, head coach Chenae Earle has watched participation explode, describing the growth as "exponential" and expressing confidence that the sport will soon shed its club status. "We’re finally getting the recognition that female athletes have long deserved," Earle said, noting that the upcoming 2026‑2027 school year will see the program run its first full varsity season.
Junior Shayna Campbell, a member of the Columbia squad, recalls discovering the game in eighth grade but only joining a team when it was introduced to her school. "I’m thrilled to be part of something that creates more opportunities for girls in athletics," she said, adding that the sport’s visibility will help younger players see a clear pathway from youth leagues to high school competition.
The road to varsity status has not been without obstacles. Practice schedules clash with the school’s detention policy, and the lack of a dedicated turf field forces the team to train on uneven surfaces, limiting consistency. Despite these hurdles, the program is poised to build a stronger foundation, shortening the experience gap with more rigorous expectations and structured competition.
Looking ahead
With varsity status now secured, children aged 7 to 14 in South Orange and Maplewood can continue their football journeys into high school, knowing that a structured, state‑recognized pathway exists. The recognition not only elevates the profile of female athletes in a traditionally male‑dominated arena but also signals a broader cultural shift toward inclusive sports opportunities across New Jersey.