Another sport is offered for girls to participate this year. That is flag football. Flag football is soon going to be an Olympic sport, so according to the coach, Christen Nickle The Chiefs and the NFL organization are trying to get it into high schools.

“The Chiefs are actually the ones who are kind of running the program. They provided all of our equipment, all of our uniforms and they set our schedule. Everything’s kind of through them,” Nickle said.

Nickle explained that since flag football is a no contact sport it is safer.

“[It’s] a safer option, where even blockers have to have hands behind their backs [and] you pull flags versus tackling,” Nickle said.

Nickle explained that she was excited to have “more opportunities for girls to get involved in sports” and to be coaching a sport that will give girls something that they can do. She is hoping that the flag football team will help make girls feel empowered.

“I think the biggest thing [I’m excited for] is just [getting] to empower the girls in a sport that’s typically run by males,” Nickle said. 

Nickle said girls should sign up and join next year because flag football is “different.”

“It’s not your typical high school sport. It’s new, so you get to be the foundation of the program. [And it’s] just a fun sport to be involved in,” Nickle said.

The GEHS flag football team will be playing against other schools. Originally there were 11 schools signed up. They will be playing  Olathe, Kansas City area and even Missouri schools.

The deadline to try out has already passed, but next year students can keep their eye out and sign up.