On September 18, 2024, with support from the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers organizations, girls’ flag football was officially recognized by the PIAA as a sport. Now, Pennsylvania is one of the 12 states to have recognized the sport.

Girls flag football has been established in a few local schools, including Haverford High, Interboro, Chester, and Bonner Prendie, as well as several Philadelphia schools. This movement originally started with the Philadelphia Eagles Girls Flag League but has grown rapidly in the state throughout recent years.

“I think it’s awesome,” Athletic Director Lynelle Mosley said. “Any opportunity that we can give student-athletes as a way to get active, get on the field, do something they love, I think is just a great idea.” 

According to a survey done by the National Federation of State High School Associations, there has been a 63 percent increase in participation in the sport nationwide. In eastern Pennsylvania, 1,600 girls are currently playing it. This, and Strath Haven’s historically strong traditional football program, raises the question of whether girls’ flag football could be a sport at Haven. 

“It’s a possibility. We have very strong lacrosse and softball programs, and track too, which is where a lot of our female student-athletes usually land, but I think that it’s something that we would possibly get off the ground if we had enough interest,” Mosley said.

Strath Haven has had developments in many female sports lately, including the addition of girls’ wrestling and golf. In general, Haven is cultivating a strong girls sports program, which could foreshadow a future for flag football.  

“I think it’s awesome, having these opportunities for females and for them to just have another way to have an outlet,” Mosley said. “I’m a big advocate of sports. So, sports for any kid is a plus in my book. I think it’s just an awesome thing for sports and especially for females.”