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

Thanks for joining Episode 2 of the She Plays Flag Podcast. For this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Jake Burgdorf, Head Girls Flag coach at McEachern High School in Georgia. Coach and I discuss the growth and development of girls' flag football at his McEachern program and in Georgia at-large. Jake shares his journey from coaching tackle football to leading a successful flag program, emphasizing the importance of building a strong culture and commitment among players. He reflects on the challenges faced in the early years, including player attendance and buy-in, and how he has worked to create a competitive environment that attracts over 100 girls to try out each year. Jake also highlights the significance of feeder programs and the need for early education in the sport to bridge the knowledge gap for new players.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jake Burgdorf and McEachern High School

01:06 Jake's Journey from Tackle to Flag Football

03:43 Challenges and Successes in Girls Flag Football

07:39 The Growth of Girls Flag Football in Georgia

12:33 Changing the Culture and Commitment in the Team

16:24 Coaching Education and the Future of the Sport

20:05 Building Community and Support for Girls Flag Football

26:48 The Importance of Early Skill Development

32:28 Creating a Competitive Culture

37:34 Teaching the Basics to New Players

41:58 Adapting Coaching Strategies for Flag Football

45:42 Utilizing Video Analysis for Player Growth

52:24 Building a Strong Foundation for Future Success

Thanks for joining the inaugural episode of She Plays Flag!

In this conversation, Coach Greg Johnson discusses his journey as the head coach of Ralston Valley High School's girls flag football team in Colorado. He shares insights on building the program from scratch, the growth of girls flag football in the state, and the importance of fostering a positive environment for athletes. Coach Johnson emphasizes the need for patience, communication, and respect among players, coaches, and parents. He also highlights the future of girls flag football, including recruiting opportunities and the potential for the sport to grow nationally.

Takeaways

• Ralston Valley High School has a strong athletic reputation.
• The girls flag football program has seen significant growth in Colorado.
• Building a program from scratch requires patience and dedication.
• Communication with athletes and parents is crucial for success.
• Girls flag football is gaining recognition and support at the state level.
• The structure of high school flag football in Colorado includes two divisions: 4A and 5A.
• Recruiting for girls flag football is evolving with more opportunities available.
• Coaches should focus on building trust and respect with their players.
• The future of girls flag football looks promising with potential for college scholarships.
• Creating a positive environment is essential for the growth of the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ralston Valley High School and Coach Johnson

12:15 Building the Flag Football Program from Scratch

22:38 Challenges and Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado

24:17 Coaching Challenges and Volunteer Support

25:58 Training the Next Generation of Coaches

28:30 Building a Flag Football Community

29:35 Developing Youth Programs and Camps

30:54 The Importance of a Strong Pipeline

31:45 Differences Between Freshmen and Upperclassmen

37:06 Structure of High School Girls Flag Football in Colorado

44:00 Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado

50:16 The Joy of Watching Daughters Play Football

54:37 Pathways for Girls in Football After High School

01:00:55 Navigating the Recruiting Landscape

01:05:15 Advice for New Coaches in Flag Football

01:14:34 Building a Positive Culture in Sports