Earlier this year New York State announced it would become among the first states in the nation to field football teams for girls in High School with the support of 3 teams from the National Football League.

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On Saturday, April 23, 2022, the Buffalo Bills hosted 19 girls flag football teams that are part of the New York State Public High School Atheltic Association (NYSPHSAA) for an event to officially kick off their new sports program. This new flag football program is a varsity-level sport for 48 New York High Schools and serves as a pilot program that other states may be able to model their programs after if it's successful.

This new sports program is supposed in part by the Buffalo Bills, New Jersey York Jets, and the New Jersey York Giants. In addition to the support from the New York NFL Teams, Nike is also adding approximately $100,000 in support for uniforms and other equipment. The season, which is slated to begin soon, will feature the teams playing between 6 and 8 games during their season. All games are set up in a 7-v-7 format and they will play on a regulation-sized football field.

During the kickoff event, which occurred at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse at ADPRO Sports Training Center, the young women were surprised by Bills players Dion Dawkins, Tremaine Edmunds, and Siran Neal. The three NFL starts made a special appearance while representatives from Nike presented each of the teams with their uniforms.

A few weeks ago I had a chance to opportunity to communicate with the Athletic Director of BuffSci, Jovohn Owens. BuffSci is one of the teams that are fielding a flag football team this year and I asked about how the school is preparing to be one of the first schools in the state to field a football team. We also discussed if the young women of BuffSci were excited about the opportunity to play football for their school

Our girls are ecstatic. I began by letting them know that they will be true pioneers in all aspects when participating in this girls flag football league and that already piqued interest. Once I let them know that the Buffalo Bills were involved in sponsoring that was a beautiful cherry on top.
-Jovohn Owens, Director of Athletics for Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School

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