Latest news with #StephanieKwok
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
OHSAA officially adds girls flag football in Ohio
Girls flag football is now officially a sanctioned sport here in Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OSHAA) announced that it will sanction girls' high school flag football in the spring of 2026, according to an OSHAA spokesperson. This makes Ohio the 17th state to sanction girls flag football in the United States. 'Ohio becoming the latest state to sanction girls flag football is a testament to the strong growth and appeal of the sport,' said Stephanie Kwok, NFL Vice President, Head of Flag Football. 'This is an exciting time with 17 states having sanctioned girls flag football, and we're thankful to the Browns, Bengals, and OHSAA for their support in growing the sport.' TRENDING STORIES: Possible tornadoes reported in Clark, Shelby counties 2-week-old baby dies after being found unresponsive at area home PHOTOS: Possible tornado reported in Clark County The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns hosted the inaugural Girls High School Flag Football State Championship title in Massillon back in May. Badin High School won the state tournament. 'We are pleased that the OHSAA Board of Directors has approved the sanctioning of girls flag football as an OHSAA-sponsored championship event,' said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute. 'Flag football is growing rapidly, and we look forward to working closer with teams, coaches, and schools to help that growth. The Browns, Bengals, and NFL have already put in so much work to promote the game and bring us to this moment to welcome girls flag football to the OHSAA.' Three years ago, 20 schools in Ohio had a girls flag football team. That number has grown to 80 high schools, OHSAA said. Girls flag football will be included as a new sport in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Flag football championships return to Canton next month
June 26 - About 300 teams representing all 32 NFL clubs will compete in the second annual flag football championships next month in Canton, Ohio. The league announced details Thursday for the NFL Flag Championships from July 17-20, with 3,000 boys and girls participating across 12 divisions. "We are thrilled to bring the NFL Flag Championships presented by Toyota back to Canton for the second consecutive year," said Stephanie Kwok, NFL vice president and head of Flag Football. "The Championships are a strong showcase for the growth of flag football at the grassroots level across the country and around the world. Flag is inclusive and accessible for all, and we are excited to see the competition across all age groups at the 2025 NFL Flag Championships." Flag football continues to surge in popularity ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, where it will debut as an official sport in Los Angeles. The NFL announced last month that its players will be allowed to compete. In the July event, eight international teams are participating, traveling from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico and Puerto Rico. ESPN will showcase 15 games from the girls' high school division, 15 from the boys' under-14 division and three from the international tournament. "The NFL Flag Championships are quickly becoming the ultimate summer showcase for one of the world's fastest growing sports," said Julie Sobieski, ESPN senior vice president of league programming and acquisitions. "For the second consecutive year, our presentation and expansive global distribution will spotlight the exceptional talent of the young boys and girls competing, while also celebrating the inclusive, fast-paced, and accessible nature of flag football. This year's tournament will not only build upon the tremendous success of the inaugural event, but will also add to the sport's immense momentum in recent years." --Field Level Media
