Healey Backed Girls Flag Football for Varsity Status
The Massachusetts governor officially supported the sport's bid for varsity recognition following rapid participation growth.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Football
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Governor Maura Healey has announced her support for sanctioning girls flag football as an official varsity sport in Massachusetts. The move comes as the sport has seen explosive growth across the state since the New England Patriots launched a pilot program.
Why it matters
Designating the sport as an official varsity activity would provide standardized competition structures and state-level support for what is now the fastest-growing high school sport in Massachusetts. This backing arrives after a previous attempt to gain recognition was rejected last year.
Participation in the program has surged to 90 teams in 2026, compared to just 8 initial teams in 2023. Official recognition requires support from at least 15 percent of MIAA member schools.
The players
Maura Healey
The current Governor of Massachusetts who has expressed support for expanding girls' athletic opportunities in the state.
New England Patriots
The professional NFL franchise that founded and sponsors the high school girls flag football program.
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
The private, non-profit organization that regulates and governs interscholastic sports for high schools in Massachusetts.
The details
A formal application for varsity recognition was submitted to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) on October 1. The request follows the MIAA Board of Directors' 2025 approval of an emerging sports designation process, which acts as a pathway for activities to eventually achieve full championship status.
Timeline
The New England Patriots launched the flag football program in 2023.
The MIAA Board approved the emerging sports designation process in 2025.
An application for varsity recognition was submitted on October 1, 2026.
Governor Maura Healey released a statement supporting the sport on October 9, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The application for varsity status marks a critical turning point for girls flag football in the state's competitive landscape. Success would establish a formal pathway to state championships, aligning the sport with the long-term growth trajectory seen in other sanctioned high school programs.
If the MIAA grants varsity status, schools would be required to meet the 15 percent support threshold to formalize their programs. This change would provide student-athletes with official state-sanctioned seasons and standardized eligibility rules similar to other varsity sports.
The takeaway
The move to recognize girls flag football reflects a broader trend of expanding athletic opportunities for female students. Stakeholders interested in the sport's development should monitor MIAA board meetings for updates on the emerging sports designation process.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Football across the state.
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