Pittsburgh Review

The football season has officially begun in Pittsburgh with the Steelers Girls Flag Football League opening on Saturday. The season kick-off features a showcase event at Saint Vincent College, where six high school teams and several local college teams will participate. This initiative aligns with the Steelers' commitment to promoting girls' flag football, now a sanctioned high school sport for the 2025-26 school year by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).

The high school teams competing in the event include Gateway, Jeannette, McKeesport, Penn Hills, Plum, and Woodland Hills. Additionally, college teams from Allegheny, Bethany, Chatman, Franciscan, Pitt, Saint Vincent, and Seton Hill will participate, marking the first time an NFL-sanctioned league hosts such an event.

The National Football League is actively supporting the expansion of flag football at various educational levels. In collaboration with all 32 NFL Clubs, the league seeks to advance the game among youth, high schools, and colleges. As part of their efforts, the Steelers and the NFL are providing each participating college team a grant of $7,500 to bolster their flag football programs.

"On behalf of the Presidents' Athletic Conference member schools that have club teams participating in the Pittsburgh Steelers Flag Football Showcase event at Saint Vincent, we want to express our thanks and deep appreciation to the NFL for their generous financial support of this endeavor," said Joe Onderko, commissioner of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. He also acknowledged the Steelers organization for their continued support in the sport's growth.

Interest in girls' flag football has seen significant expansion. Since 2022, the number of high schools participating in the Steelers' league has increased from six to 48 teams in 2025, with 14 new teams joining this season. Mike Marchinsky, the Steelers senior manager of alumni relations and youth football, expressed optimism about the growth, highlighting the talent and enthusiasm among female athletes.

"It's awesome to see how girl's flag football has taken off," Marchinsky stated. He noted the increase in female participation over the years and the opportunities the sport presents, emphasizing his personal connection as a father to daughters.

The Steelers Girls Flag Football League will hold weekly games through May 11, with playoffs scheduled for May 17-18. Joe Lofton, the Steelers football development manager, commented on the sport's rapid growth, aiming to encourage more girls at the middle and elementary school levels.

Flag football's international profile was further elevated with its inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Stephanie Kwok, Vice President and Head of Flag Football at the National Football League, highlighted the global excitement and the Steelers' role in promoting the sport locally.

"Excitement for flag football continues to build around the globe with its inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics," Kwok remarked. She acknowledged Pittsburgh's strong football tradition and the positive impact of providing playing opportunities for women in the sport.

As the Steelers Girls Flag Football season unfolds, the initiative not only supports the growth of the sport but also highlights growing opportunities for female football players in Pittsburgh and beyond.