Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have written a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President Charlie Baker, urging the organization to promote women's flag football programs in colleges and universities across the country. The letter comes after the recent announcement that flag football will be included as an official Olympic sport at the 2028 Summer games.

Currently, only the institutions of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) offer women's flag football programs, with more than 30 schools providing this sport to women, including five schools in Florida. The Senators believe that the NCAA should take advantage of the growing popularity of flag football and the Olympic Committee's announcement to actively encourage its schools to establish formalized programs.

In their letter, Rubio and Shaheen state, "This in turn would allow collegiate women scholarship opportunities and serve as a feeder to the Olympics where they can proudly represent their country and school." They emphasize the benefits of women's sports and the potential for flag football to provide immeasurable advantages to female student athletes.

The Senators also highlight the support for women's flag football from the National Football League (NFL), which has partnered with RCX Sports and the Philadelphia Eagles to promote the sport. As a result of this partnership, the Atlantic East Conference will become the first NCAA Conference to offer female flag football starting in 2025. With the leadership and support of the NCAA, women's flag football could be implemented nationwide.

Rubio and Shaheen's letter concludes by requesting President Baker's leadership and support in ensuring that all NCAA institutions are encouraged to provide women's flag football programs.

The push for promoting women's flag football aligns with the goal of increasing female participation in sports and providing equal opportunities for women in athletics. With the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics, there is a unique opportunity to showcase the talent and skill of female athletes in this growing sport.

As the Olympic Committee and the NFL show their support for women's flag football, it is crucial for the NCAA to take proactive steps to promote and establish programs in colleges and universities. By doing so, the NCAA can not only provide scholarship opportunities for collegiate women but also serve as a pathway to the Olympics, where female athletes can proudly represent their country and school.

The letter from Senators Rubio and Shaheen serves as a call to action for the NCAA to embrace and support women's flag football, ensuring that all institutions are encouraged to offer this emerging sport. By seizing this opportunity, the NCAA can play a significant role in the growth and development of women's flag football, fostering a new generation of talented female athletes.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-shaheen-urge-ncaa-to-promote-womens-flag-football/