The Bay Girls’ Flag Football Is Booming
Jan 2, 2026
Jane Kenney, a freelance sports reporter in San Francisco, discusses the explosive growth of girls' flag football in the Bay Area. She explains how California sanctioned the sport and its rapid rise since 2023. Jane highlights the increasing interest among middle-school girls and features standout quarterback Bren David, who shares her thrilling experiences on the field. The success of flag football is tied to the boom in women’s pro sports like the Golden State Valkyries. Jane remains optimistic about the sport's future in high school athletics.
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Rapid Post-Sanction Growth
- Girls' flag football exploded after being sanctioned in California, growing over 300% from ~10,000 participants.
- The sport's rapid expansion shows it's become a national movement in just a few years.
Coach Recruited By His Daughter
- Milpitas coach Matt Robbins started coaching his daughter's club team and watched it balloon from 12 players to varsity status.
- By the third year they had 50+ tryouts and expanded to varsity and JV teams with camps and tournaments.
Younger Players Fuel Longevity
- A large share of tryouts are freshmen and sophomores, indicating the sport is drawing younger players earlier.
- Growing middle-school exposure feeds high school programs and sustains long-term participation.