New jerseys, new goals, and a new game: Dallas ISD introduces girls’ flag football league as a milestone for sports inclusion and student empowerment
Dallas, Texas – In a historic move, the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) has announced the creation of a girls’ flag football league, becoming one of the pioneering school districts in Texas to do so. The announcement was made during a significant event at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, where Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde expressed both personal reflections and professional excitement about the new league.
Superintendent Elizalde shared a poignant reflection on her own athletic interests.
“My only regret is that they did not have girls flag football when I was growing up in Laredo. I was pretty good at ballet, but I bet I would have been even better at quarterback,” said Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D.. “I am grateful that this opportunity exists now, though, and I am counting on the 22 high schools in Dallas ISD to bring home the first girls flag football state championship in Texas history.”
The launch event, aligned with Women’s History Month, also featured appearances by notable figures such as Charlotte Jones, co-owner and chief brand officer of the Cowboys, and representatives from the NFL. They gathered to celebrate this milestone in women’s sports and to witness the unveiling of brand-new jerseys for the student-athletes, symbolizing the start of what promises to be an inspiring journey.
“The life lessons and values these young ladies will learn from the game of football extend well beyond touchdowns and teamwork,” Jones said. “We are also thrilled that with girls’ flag football becoming an emerging sport at the collegiate level, the game can now provide these young women a path to continuing their education at a higher level as well.”
The development of the league came after nine months of collaborative efforts between the Cowboys, Dallas ISD, and other partners to establish varsity-level 7-on-7 programs. This preparatory phase set the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting inaugural season slated for the spring of 2025.
The introduction of the girls’ flag football league is not just a step forward for gender equality in sports but also a testament to the evolving landscape of athletic programs in secondary education. It represents a significant opportunity for young women to engage in competitive sports and to develop skills and experiences that will benefit them both on and off the field.
