Sport: College Sports Country: England Category: Playoffs

Rhode Island sanctions girls flag football as high school sport

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 9:44 PM

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Rhode Island sanctions girls flag football as high school sport

Summary

Rhode Island officially sanctioned girls high school flag football on August 17, becoming the 24th state to do so. The New England Patriots have played a significant role in promoting the sport, having organized a pilot season with 10 teams and 440 student-athletes in the spring. The inaugural season concluded with a championship tournament featuring Saint Raphael Academy as the state champions. This recent sanctioning reflects the sport’s growth, coinciding with its expected Olympic debut in 2028 and alignment with NCAA recommendations for collegiate play.

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Key Details

•Rhode Island becomes the 24th state to sanction girls flag football.
•The Patriots organized a successful 10-team pilot season in spring 2026.
•Saint Raphael Academy was crowned state champions during the pilot season.
•Girls flag football aligns with NCAA's push for collegiate recognition by 2028.
•The sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles games.

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