Girls in Nebraska Are Breaking Barriers: Will This New Flag Football Program Change Their Lives Forever?

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The recent announcement of a women’s flag football program at the University of Nebraska is generating enthusiasm among young female athletes in the Omaha area, inspiring some middle school players to set their sights on collegiate opportunities. This new initiative signifies a growing movement to encourage participation in sports traditionally dominated by males.

"I was about to probably really give up on going for football for college, and then when I got the message that they were bringing it, I was really happy," said Londyn Beavers, a player for Millard United flag football. Her excitement reflects the sentiment of many young girls who are increasingly prioritizing football as a legitimate athletic pursuit.

Mandy Brandt, a coach at Millard United and a former player in the recreational league coed flag football at the University of Nebraska, emphasized the significance of this program. "We've been working so hard to bring it in on so many levels in this state, and for Nebraska to be one of the first universities to announce it for women, it makes me really excited for the future, for not just my daughter but for all of our girls," she stated.

The excitement extends beyond individual players. Program organizers, including Andrew Mather, the founder of Omaha Jr. Stockmen, have witnessed a notable commitment from girls in the sport. "We've watched some girls give up other sports because they want to make this their priority, and so these things like Nebraska, it's rewarding them for those decisions that they're making," Mather noted.

Nebraska is not alone in this movement. Other local institutions, such as Midland University and College of Saint Mary, have already established women's flag football teams, cultivating a pipeline of opportunities for female athletes across the state. This reflects a broader trend in which 17 states nationwide have sanctioned girls’ flag football as a high school sport, while 21 others have pilot programs supported by NFL Flag.

Adelaide Brozek, a player with the Jr. Stockmen’s high school team, highlighted the transformation of the sport: "I was playing on all boys' teams. I was the only girl there, so now playing on a team that's all girls and then now having a collegiate opportunity to do the same, that just goes to show how much the sport has really grown, and I'm super excited about it," she remarked. This change not only represents a shift in the dynamics of the sport but also provides a new avenue for female athletes.

Despite the enthusiasm, Nebraska currently does not have girls' flag football as a sanctioned high school sport, but many coaches and players hope that this will change soon. The grassroots efforts and growing interest in the game signal a promising future for women’s sports in the state. As more young athletes dream of playing at the collegiate level, the introduction of programs like Nebraska’s will only serve to enhance those aspirations.

The development of women’s flag football in Nebraska is more than just a new athletic program; it symbolizes empowerment and progress for young female athletes. With each passing day, the dream of playing football at a collegiate level becomes more tangible, inspiring a new generation to pursue their passions in sports.