The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the introduction of Women’s Flag Football at seven member institutions, set to debut in Spring 2025. This landmark initiative aims to enhance female participation in sports and aligns with the NCAA’s recognition of women’s flag football as an emerging sport.
The universities participating in this pioneering venture include:
– Bluefield State University
– Bowie State University
– Claflin University
– Fayetteville State University
– Johnson C. Smith University
– Virginia Union University
– Winston-Salem State University
“We’re incredibly excited for the continued growth of the CIAA as we add women’s flag football to the many sports that our historic conference offers to our student-athletes” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. “The opportunity to not only expand, but giving young women the opportunity to be at the forefront of the expansion and provide another phenomenal competitive opportunity is one we’re proud to offer and we look forward to seeing these ladies take the field and commence a new era. We’re also incredibly grateful for the NFL’s role in providing all the necessary assistance to help grow this sport throughout the nation at all levels.”
The Setup
Each Women’s Flag Football league team will have an average roster of 25 players. They will compete in a 7-on-7 format on an 80×40-yard field. Games will feature four 12-minute quarters.
The rise of flag football has garnered substantial support from the NFL, which has been instrumental in promoting the sport across various levels. NFL facilities and stadiums have hosted numerous competitions and clinics aimed at engaging young athletes. A remarkable turnout was noted this past year, with over 700,000 youth participating in NFL FLAG leagues, nearly 500,000 of whom were female. Additionally, 13 states have now sanctioned girls’ flag football as championship sports, reflecting the dedication of the NFL and RCX Sports, the official operator of NFL FLAG.
“The RCX Sports Foundation is proud to award a grant to the CIAA Conference to help launch women’s flag football in spring 2025 as part of our mission of ‘Sports for All,'” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “This grant ensures that CIAA female student-athletes have the opportunity to excel in a growing sport, fostering an inclusive environment where all athletes can thrive.”
As it prepares to kickoff, the league anticipates this initiative’s positive impact on the participating institutions and their student-athletes.
