More Georgia women are playing football
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Women are increasingly joining the typically male-dominated sport despite fewer leagues and opportunities.
The big picture: The NFL is investing in women's flag football, and the Olympics is planning the sport's debut in 2028.
The latest: At the high school level, 17 states' athletic associations have sanctioned girls varsity flag championships, and Kansas and Missouri are among others with pilot programs in play.
- Independent collegiate leagues, including the NAIA and NJCAA, already have flag football.
- In February, an NCAA committee recommended that Divisions I, II and III add flag football as an emerging women's sport.
Reality check: Access to tackle football remains scarce for women, and many athletes who wind up in pro leagues come from sports such as basketball and track.
State of play: The WNFC, which includes the Atlanta Truth, is growing quickly, with league leaders securing an initial $1 million in seed funding in 2024.
- WNFC Founder and CEO Odessa Jenkins says she's working on raising $15 million to expand the league's presence.