(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: The explosion of Girls Flag Football onto the longtime and traditional high school football sports scene has been greatly influenced, impacted, and promoted by both the Los Angeles Rams and the Chargers. Give most of the credit to them for the launching of this, as many would say, long overdue movement, that has now surfaced into our female youths’ ability to make a choice of a sport they have long wanted to play and participate in, just as the boys have done as long as high school football has been an accepted high school sport.

In just one year’s time, the progress has been astonishing in terms of acceptance by the State-Administered California Interscholastic Federation/Southern Section (CIF/SS), in terms of qualifying and regulating it as a new and eligible sport for high school students.

Due to that monumental move, more organizations can now busily be seen preparing for an influx of participants at these following levels—Recreation & Parks, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA/YWCAs, Middle School, and High School levels, as more parents are able to become better informed about their daughters competing in a well-organized, competitive, and safe structure.

If you are a parent, and are interested in having a daughter or daughters participate at any of the aforementioned levels, then please give a very good read to the Rams press announcement. It will provide you with much information on taking your next steps to enroll your daughter in an age-appropriate level that may suit your liking.

LOS ANGELES RAMS TO HOST GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL CLINICS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Los Angeles Rams have hosted nine girls’ flag football clinics for local elementary, middle and high school students. During the clinics, attendees  participated in football-related drills and competitions led by women from the Los Angeles Legends Sports Organization. Additionally, Rams staff members and women in sports across the Los Angeles region also participated in panel discussions focused on their experiences playing sports and how the skills they gained as athletes translate to working in professional sports.

These camps aim to raise awareness of girls’ flag football and empower the next generation of women athletes by showing them the pathways available on and off the field.

On March 18th, the Rams hosted their final high school clinics at Los Angeles Unified School District’s, Crenshaw High School  and at Long Beach Unified School District’s, Long Beach Polytechnic High School on Sunday, March 19th.

Nike is the sponsor of the four high school clinics and is providing participants with Nike “We Are FootbALL” t-shirts, shorts and duffle bags. They also received arm sleeves, wristbands, headbands and gloves from the Rams, and Gatorade is providing hydration products, squeeze bottles, bags and towels. In addition, USA Football is providing the elementary and middle school clinic participants with “We Are FootbALL” t-shirts, eye black and flags.

The Rams’ Women’s History Month efforts culminated with a skills and drills clinic for elementary and middle school girls served by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles – Challengers Clubhouse on March 30th. More than 150 participants received “We Are FootbALL” t-shirts, eye black and flags, as well as Nike shorts and duffle bags. A much-welcomed post-clinic snack was provided to all participants by Little Caesar’s Pizza.

To support the growth of girls’ flag, the Rams and USA Football  provided a Girls Flag Football Resource Package with information about rules, grants, equipment and practice plans to high school flag programs throughout Southern California. In addition, the Rams and USA Football provided equipment kits to 100 local high schools to assist with practices and games.

(Background on Start of Girls Flag Football): In January 2022, the Rams and Chargers launched the Los Angeles Girls Flag Football League of Champions. Last season, the Rams and Chargers grew the league from eight teams to 16 teams with the support of Nike, USA Football and Gatorade. The Rams and Chargers provided players with uniforms in partnership with Nike, stipends for coaches, coaching manuals, officials, athletic trainers, as well as equipment and transportation for the five-week season. The goal of the League of Champions is to create more opportunities for young women to engage in football.

On Friday, February 3, California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) sanctioned girls’ flag football in high schools across California. This achievement allows young women across our state to continue to pursue their passion, elevate football to next level, and become future leaders in sports and in the community. The Rams Women’s History Month efforts aim to celebrate the growth of football, the players of today, and the generations of tomorrow who will benefit from increased access to team sports.

Participating in these upcoming events were Rams front office staff members, Nike representatives, and the Los Angeles Legends Sports Organization. The final clinic was scheduled for Thursday, March 30th from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PT at the Challengers Clubhouse located at 5029 South Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Our story on that event will be forthcoming shortly.