PW Girls' Flag Football: From Idea to Impact

by Abby Nye, PW Class of 2025

Just a few years ago, girls’ flag football at the high school level in Pennsylvania was almost unheard of. Now, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the state, and Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PW) is proudly part of that movement.

“When flag football started three years ago, there were maybe twelve teams across Pennsylvania,” said Health and PE teacher Dan Chang, who is the head coach for both football and flag football at PW. “The following winter, we started promoting the idea of building our own team.” That simple goal quickly gained momentum. Tryouts were held in early February, and 22 girls showed up, none of them knowing that they were laying the foundation for something much bigger. “We ended up keeping all of them. Those 22 girls are the origin story of PW girls' flag football.”

Launching a team from scratch was no easy task, but strong community support made all the difference. “Our athletic director, Mr. Bretz, was instrumental in getting us what we needed. And the Philadelphia Eagles funded all of our equipment our first year: uniforms, flags, footballs, everything,” the coach said. The district’s support continued well beyond those first practices. “From Dr. Christian to every teacher and coach at PW, everyone has backed this program. The culture here values student-athletes.”

Though there are tactical differences between flag football and the more traditional boys’ tackle football, the coach approaches both teams with the same mindset. “I don’t think I will change my coaching style between boys and girls. I adjust to each individual. Some kids need a push; others need more encouragement. That’s the same across all sports.”

Still, early challenges were real. “Not knowing what to expect was hard, what other teams would be like, what rules might differ. And there was hesitation from girls who had never seen or played flag football before,” the coach explained. “But every year, as word spreads and more students see the excitement, we grow.”

The team’s presence already has broader implications. “Flag football gives female athletes another path to compete. You’re seeing it at the Super Bowl, in NFL media, this is a growing sport.” The coach sees this as more than just a game. “We’re teaching life lessons: how to work through adversity, how to rely on your team, how to stay committed. Winning is great, but those values come first.”

As for the future? The goals are clear: build on success, expand the team, and keep creating meaningful experiences for the players. “We’ve had some really close games this season, and seeing the pure joy on the girls’ faces when we win as a team—that’s the most rewarding part.”

With the sport exploding nationwide, Coach Chang is confident that girls' flag football is here to stay. “It’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Colleges are already offering scholarships. And youth leagues are popping up everywhere. This is just the beginning.”