Over the past four years, girls flag football has become an exciting and important part of athletics in Port Washington. With an established (and SUCCESSFUL) varsity program and the addition of the middle school team in Spring 2026, our district has already taken meaningful steps toward creating opportunities for girls to participate in THE fastest-growing sports in the country.

We are asking the district to take the next step and requesting the addition of a Girls Junior Varsity Flag Football Team for the Spring 2027 season.

Currently, there is a gap between our middle school and varsity programs. As interest in girls flag football continues to grow, we believe a JV team is an important part of building a strong, sustainable program.

Not every incoming freshman or developing athlete is ready to compete at the varsity level, nor should she have to be. A JV program would give these girls the opportunity to continue learning the game, developing their skills, gaining competitive experience, and preparing for the expectations of varsity athletics.

More importantly, it would allow more girls to be part of something.

A successful athletic program isn't built solely on its varsity roster. It's built by developing athletes at every level and creating opportunities for girls to grow within the sport.

There is also an important developmental piece to consider. Right now, our younger athletes face the pressure of having to be varsity-ready before they may be developmentally ready to compete at that level. Without a JV program, making varsity becomes their only opportunity to continue playing school flag football. For girls who are already training, putting in the work, and investing their time in this sport, that creates an unnecessary all-or-nothing situation. Instead of focusing on learning, improving, and developing a genuine love for the game, the pressure can become simply making the team.

We should be encouraging our young athletes to work hard because they love the sport and want to grow within it, not because they're afraid there won't be a place for them if they aren't ready for varsity. A JV program would give these girls something incredibly valuable: the opportunity to develop at their own pace while still being part of a competitive school athletic program.

By signing this petition, we are expressing our support for and interest in the establishment of a Girls JV Flag Football Team for Spring 2027.

We respectfully ask the Port Washington Union Free School District and its Athletic Department to consider this request and take the necessary steps toward making a JV program a reality sooner rather than later.

Our girls are showing up in the off season already: putting in the work. They're excited about this sport and the opportunities ahead of them.

Let's make sure there's a place for them to play.