In this episode of the She Plays Flag Podcast, host Matt Mashburn discusses the growth and development of girls' flag football in Florida with Jeremy Hernandez from the Florida High School Athletic Association. Jeremy shares his journey from New Mexico to Florida, where he took on the role of overseeing girls' flag football. He highlights the significant progress made since the sport was first sanctioned in Florida in 2003, noting the increase in participation and the establishment of a competitive framework. The conversation delves into the advantages Florida has over other states, particularly in terms of experience and infrastructure, as well as the challenges that come with rapid growth, such as the need for more officials and the potential for scheduling conflicts with other sports.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Girls' Flag Football

03:04 The History of Flag Football in Florida

05:39 Florida's Competitive Advantage in Flag Football

09:02 Challenges in Growing the Sport

13:04 The Role of Coaches and Officials

17:12 Attracting Girls to Flag Football

22:58 Future Opportunities for Female Athletes

30:12 Challenges of Growth in Flag Football

32:26 Structure of Girls' Flag Football in Florida

35:31 Encouraging New Programs

37:23 Interest from Other States

40:02 The Future of Flag Football

42:20 Risks of Rapid Growth

45:57 Planning for Sustainable Growth

47:04 Exciting Future Prospects