Great Falls board hears multi-year proposal to pilot girls flag football with grant support

School athletics staff presented a multi-year plan March 9 to pilot girls flag football as a club activity in Great Falls High and middle schools, citing grant support and student interest.

Why it matters: The program is part of a national movement to expand opportunities for girls in football and has funding interest from the Arthur Blank Family Foundation as well as potential Under Armour grants. District staff said a club start would reduce Title IX complexity while allowing evaluation of student demand and resource needs.

Athletics director Michael Henneberg outlined survey results from last fall: of 503 responses (417 students, 86 parents) about offering girls flag football, 160 students indicated interest or strong interest and 108 said they would definitely participate. Henneberg said the Arthur Blank Family Foundation can provide up to $15,000 per school per year in startup grants and Under Armour grants could add up to $30,000 per school per year, numbers that district staff consider sufficient for initial startup costs including uniforms, limited travel and scheduling.

Board members asked about impact on existing girls sports. Henneberg said the district has not seen major participation declines in other sports in districts that started girls flag, and the offering as a club would not immediately affect athletic proportionality; if the sport later becomes sanctioned by the state association staff would revisit Title IX implications and scheduling.

Next steps: Staff will continue planning, pursue grant opportunities, and return with final recommendations and potential budget implications if the board directs moving from conversation to a formal pilot.