Petition to the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) Legislative Council:

We, the undersigned students, parents, coaches, athletes, educators, and supporters of girls’ athletics across Texas, respectfully and urgently petition the UIL to officially sanction girls’ flag football as a varsity high school sport with full state championship recognition.

Flag football’s popularity is exploding nationwide. High school girls’ participation has more than doubled in recent years, with tens of thousands now competing at the varsity level and youth participation among girls ages 6–17 surging over 60% since 2019 to nearly 500,000 players. The sport is safe, accessible, fast-paced, and inclusive—offering leadership, teamwork, and athletic development while opening doors to college scholarships and international competition, including the 2028 Olympics.

Texas is the undisputed Football Mecca of America. From legendary Friday night lights to world-class coaching and unmatched community passion, our state has always led the nation in developing football talent and culture. It is only natural—and necessary—that Texas leads in providing this opportunity for our young women rather than falling behind.

Seventeen states have already fully sanctioned girls’ flag football as a varsity sport, complete with state championships, standardized rules, and equitable support. Texas cannot afford to remain on the sidelines while other states move forward and our own pilot programs—supported by the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans—continue to thrive with hundreds of schools and thousands of eager athletes participating.

Furthermore, some of the best female flag football athletes in the entire country are from Texas. Standouts like Ava Wallace of Rouse High School in Leander have been named the inaugural National High School Girls Flag Football Player of the Year. Wallace, along with other elite Texas talents from programs like the TFL Colts, Texas Fury and Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys High School Flag teams, has earned gold medals with USA Football’s Junior National Teams and dominated national competitions. Our state is already producing champions—we must now give them the official platform they deserve.

Sanctioning girls’ flag football will:

•  Expand athletic opportunities for thousands of Texas girls

•  Align our state with the national trend toward safe, inclusive sports

•  Capitalize on Texas’s football expertise to develop the next generation of elite female athletes

•  Provide structure, safety standards, scholarships, and college recruitment pathways

The time for study and delay has passed. Texas girls are ready, Texas talent is proven, and Texas communities are demanding action. We call on the UIL to sanction girls’ flag football immediately and establish a state championship so our daughters can compete, excel, and represent the Football Mecca on the national stage.

For the future of Texas girls’ sports and to honor our proud football heritage—sanction girls’ flag football now.