Flag Football: A Game-Changing Opportunity for Girls at SMPS

As St. Matthew’s Parish School’s fall sports season kicks off, an exciting program sets our school apart: co-ed flag football. While many schools may be beginning to explore this dynamic sport, St. Matthew’s has been ahead of the curve, offering flag football as a core athletic program for over 20 years, giving our middle school girls an exceptional chance to compete, grow, and excel.

Flag football is more than just a modified version of traditional football – it’s a sport that demands quickness, speed, power, explosion, and agility. These foundational skills translate to other sports our students participate in throughout the year, making the sport a valuable cross-training experience that enhances overall athletic development.

Middle School represents a crucial window of opportunity for girls in athletics, making it the perfect time for them to compete. At this level, male and female physical development is much closer than it will be in high school, creating a more level playing field where dedication and skill, not just physical strength, determine success. 

Flag football represents another exciting lane for girls to explore their athletic potential, allowing them to develop confidence, leadership skills, and athletic prowess in a setting where their potential can truly shine. “Our program provides students with a strong athletic foundation that can serve them well in high school sports and beyond. We equip our students with enough confidence to believe in themselves to try high school athletics,” says our Athletic Director, Rahim Muhammad.

With growing enthusiasm around the sport – from Olympic discussions to the emergence of women’s flag football leagues – our students are positioned at the forefront of an exciting movement. “There’s a huge fascination with flag football right now,” and St. Matthew’s is uniquely positioned because “we’ve always had the offering. Our female students can jump right into a well-established, quality program.” It’s not just about playing a game – it’s about being part of a community that believes in the potential of every student-athlete.