AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDG/WAGTG) — The sport featured in the Olympics is easily accessible in Georgia.
The Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have provided grants benefiting 304 high schools across Georgia. These funds will be used to establish new girls’ flag football programs or support current ones leading up to the 2025 season.
Across the state, 45 new initiatives will commence this autumn, with Washington-Wilkes joining as the latest addition to our nearby region.
One of the reasons we didn’t apply previously was due to the extensive travel required,” explained Lisa Isham, the Athletic Director at Washington-Wilkes. “With numerous schools from Augusta now joining in, along with others within our region and vicinity, this has greatly reduced the amount of travel time needed.
Isham states that the school has begun allocating its resources for equipment, personnel, and other essentials in preparation for the program’s inaugural season.
The Tigers are expected to face several competitive teams during their inaugural season.
The Golden Hawks from Washington County advanced to the state quarterfinals during the recent season, and they will probably face off against multiple teams from both Richmond County and Columbia County.
“I’m thrilled to begin this journey, and we have some outstanding female athletes who could potentially help establish something remarkable here,” stated Isham.
As noted previously, not only are new initiatives emerging throughout Georgia, but existing ones are also receiving adequate attention.
Multiple teams such as Lakeside and Evans have sought after grant funds, and every institution received an award of $5,000 to cater to all upcoming seasonal costs.
“I managed to acquire all-new equipment that allowed me to begin my summer training sessions right away, which is significant,” stated Evans’ head coach, Ryan Morningstar.
“It’s quite substantial since we attempt to hire as many coaches as possible,” stated Drew Shelton, who is the head coach at Lakeside.
Just five years back, girls’ flag football was recognized as an official sport by the Georgia High School Association.
Ever since then, both Columbia County and Richmond County have experienced growth with their teams, achieving remarkable success.
The Greenbrier girls flag football team claimed the distinction of being the first school in Columbia County to secure a state championship back in 2023, an achievement they repeated in 2024.
In 2024, both Evans and Lakeside reached the GHSA Division 2 quarterfinals, but only Evans moved forward to the semifinals.
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