Columbus was one of first places in Georgia to have this sport. Now it’s going statewide

Girls flag football will become a sanctioned sport in 2020 across the state of Georgia.

The announcement was made at the 2019 Girls Flag Football Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. This is the second consecutive year the stadium has hosted the event.

Atlanta Falcons president and CEO Rich McKay along with Troy Vincent, executive vice president of football operations for the NFL and Chris Millman, vice president of community relations for the Atlanta Falcons were also in attendance when the announcement was made.

The Atlanta Falcons, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) began working together in 2018 on this initiative, when they noticed the lack of girl’s sports offered in schools in Georgia.

Gwinnett County Public School was approached first as a pilot, according to a press release. After a successful year, five other Georgia counties brought girls high school flag football into their schools, including Muscogee County.

According to Muscogee County School District (MCSD) athletic director Jeff Battles, the sport will have an official start and end date next year, as well as be regulated throughout the state instead of on the district level.

The MCSD received a $30,000 grant from the Falcons this year, which helped cover costs for referees, jerseys, equipment and more, according to a Falcons spokesperson.

“Seeing the positive influence this sport has on the players and the community is inspiring. The girls stand tall with pride and enthusiasm while receiving recognition from their families and friends in the stands,” Amanda Dinkel, community relations manager for the Atlanta Falcons, said in a press release.

This is the first time a new sport has been sanctioned by the GHSA since Esports was added in October of 2018.