Women are increasingly joining high school football teams, despite fewer leagues and opportunities.
Why it matters: Women's football is growing, and Richmond schools are getting in on the push.
State of play: At the high school level, 17 states' athletic associations have sanctioned girls varsity flag championships, and Virginia is among those with pilot programs in play.
The Virginia High School League introduced girls' flag football last spring, per WRIC, with teams in Richmond and Henrico, including at Armstrong, Varina, Huguenot, Thomas Jefferson and Highland Springs.
Then in the fall, Richmond Public Schools, in a partnership with Fit4Kids, expanded the program to eight schools, fueled in part by an investment from the Washington Commanders.