The New England Patriots Foundation hosted its inaugural high school girls flag football championship tournament on June 12, inviting the top eight teams in the state to compete for the title.
Flag football is not recognized as an official sport by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, so organizations like the Patriots have established club leagues to help expand the sport. At the establishment of the association in 2023, there were eight teams. Now there are 51.
“These young ladies want to play the sport,” said Patriots former linebacker and executive director of community affairs Andre Tippett.