Kansas Officially Sanctions Girls Flag Football as High School Sport
Kansas sanctions girls flag football after campaign. The Chiefs played a role
Kansas City Star
Image: Kansas City Star
On April 23, 2023, the Kansas State High School Activities Association voted 61-1 to sanction girls flag football as an official high school sport, allowing Kansas girls to compete for state championships starting in the 2026-27 school year. The Kansas City Chiefs played a significant role in this achievement through their advocacy campaign, 'Let Her Play.'
- 01Kansas becomes the 18th state to sanction girls flag football.
- 02The Kansas City Chiefs' 'Let Her Play' initiative garnered over 11,000 signatures in support.
- 03Girls flag football will begin in the 2026-27 school year with standardized rules.
- 04Teams can now operate as official school-sponsored programs rather than clubs.
- 05The KSHSAA will finalize postseason details based on school participation.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
On April 23, 2023, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly, with a tally of 61-1, to sanction girls flag football as an official high school sport. This decision allows Kansas girls to compete for a state championship beginning in the 2026-27 school year, making Kansas the 18th state in the U.S. to recognize the sport. The Kansas City Chiefs were instrumental in this initiative through their 'Let Her Play' campaign, which saw over 11,000 individuals sign a petition advocating for the sport. Team legends and local celebrities helped amplify the message, leading to this landmark decision. Sheila Sickau, a key figure in the Chiefs' marketing team, expressed her excitement, noting the significant opportunities this creates for girls in sports. The KSHSAA plans to implement standardized rules and governance for the sport, allowing high school teams to play between six and ten regular-season games. The exact postseason format will be determined later, depending on school participation, with a potential for multiple classifications if interest grows significantly.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The sanctioning of girls flag football will provide new opportunities for female athletes in Kansas, encouraging participation in sports and promoting gender equality in athletics.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support the inclusion of girls flag football in high schools?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.




