Many new sports are on the rise in California. From cornhole to pickleball to eSports, new kinds of activities have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. One of these sports that is in the process of coming to San Marin is girls’ flag football. While flag football has a rich history at San Marin with the annual Powderpuff, for the first time it will be coming to the school as a competitive sport.
With a unanimous vote by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in February to approve the sport, San Marin’s athletic program will be bringing the new addition to high school sports next fall. The season would start on Aug. 7 and go through Nov. 4 with up to 24 games. San Marin will become one of three schools in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) to introduce the new sport, along with Novato and Terra Linda.
“… some schools could host a tournament and have multiple schools come and play three or four flag football games in a day or two.”
– Tyler Peterson
Athletic Director
With not very many Marin schools participating yet so many opportunities for games, there will be games played against schools outside of the league, according to athletic director Tyler Peterson.
“Since there are so few teams within MCAL but a lot that are north of us or East Bay… some schools could host a tournament and have multiple schools come and play three or four flag football games in a day or two,” Peterson said. “That way you could get more games in a short amount of time.”
An issue with flag football being introduced in the fall is that other popular sports occur during that season. Many potential players who already have a commitment to their sports are caught between giving up what they know and trying something new.
“As much as I love the sport of water polo, I really want to take advantage of this opportunity that has been given to me.”
– Hanna Thoms
Future flag football player
However, some athletes like sophomore Hanna Thoms are eagerly leaving their current sport to help pioneer the first year of girls’ flag football in California. Thoms has been playing water polo since eighth grade but is looking forward to being able to play another sport she enjoys in the fall.
“As much as I love the sport of water polo, I really want to take advantage of this opportunity that has been given to me,” Thoms said. “What’s the harm in trying something new?”
In order to provide more flexibility for those who cannot give up their sport like Thoms, or who are unsure of joining a competitive team, flag football could become a club rather than a CIF sport, according to Peterson, in which case already committed fall athletes could participate.
With the excitement surrounding the introduction of a new girl’s-only sport comes controversy. Sophomore Katie Martin plays on the tackle football team, a sport commonly thought to be “just for boys”, and thinks that it could be sending the wrong message.
“I’m glad they’re doing it and allowing girls to at least do something.”
-Katie Martin
Football player
“I’m glad they’re doing it and allowing girls to at least do something. It’s a step in the right direction, but I still don’t think it’s there,” Martin said.
Others, like the coach, Mo Orrfelt, believe that it will make an impact for girls all over. For a team made up of girls who haven’t played the sport before, Orrfelt says she will start with the fundamentals, then team building, and finally having fun.
