The Indianapolis Colts and the Jim Irsay Family today announced a $1 million investment to support the development of girls high school flag football as a fully sanctioned Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) sport.
The first step to becoming an IHSAA sanctioned sport is to earn designation as an "emerging sport," which requires 20 participating schools. Currently, there are 27 participating schools. To become eligible as a fully sanctioned IHSAA sport, 100 member schools must compete while in "emerging sport" status.
To reach this goal, the Colts are launching the "Road to 100" campaign to support and sustain the launch of 100 girls high school teams.
Costs associated with launching a team typically range from $5,000 to $8,000 to fund equipment, uniforms, training and coaching stipends. To help offset that cost, the Colts will invest up to $10,000 each in the next 75 schools that commit to fielding a team in 2025.
Schools and communities interested in fielding a team can visit Colts.com/GirlsFlag.
The Colts made the announcement during the Colts-Detroit Lions game at Lucas Oil Stadium today with players representing the original eight Indiana girls high school teams.
"Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world for a reason – it offers physical and mental health benefits, teaches teamwork, discipline and resilience, and is a pathway to greater opportunities for young women in sports and beyond," said Kalen Jackson, Colts Vice Chair & Owner. "The more girls play, the stronger the game will be."
"Girls flag football is more than a sport – it's a movement that opens doors to college scholarships, recruitment opportunities and careers in athletics," said Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Colts Vice Chair & Owner. "By starting a team, schools not only will foster a new sport but also help young women develop leadership skills and a lifelong passion for football."
Over the next several months, the Colts will engage with school leaders, athletic directors, parents and others interested in supporting the sport, as well as with football fans as presenting sponsor of the IHSAA State Finals later this month, to spread the word about this unique funding opportunity.
The Colts began this effort in 2023 by creating the Colts Girls High School Flag Football League, fueled by Gatorade and sponsored in part by Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, with eight teams from Indianapolis and South Bend, Ind.
In 2024, the league expanded to 27 teams with five divisions across the state. The Colts and various partners assisted those schools with program costs and other expenses associated with launching a new sport.
The Colts have prioritized flag football development to introduce the game to new players and fans, especially girls, who traditionally have not had the same opportunities to learn and play the game as boys. Examples include:
- Colts FLAG Football Leagues, presented by Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, a statewide network to grow the game in Indiana and help connect young athletes to NFL FLAG-sanctioned programs.
- The Colts FLAG Regional Tournament, hosted by the Colts to determine qualifiers for the NFL FLAG National Tournament.
- Colts Unified FLAG Classic, which provide high school students with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate together on a team and collectively represent their school in sanctioned activities, providing a quality experience in an inclusive environment.
For more info on Colts FLAG Football programs, visit Colts.com/Flag.
