After a successful pilot season, girls high school flag football increased from six to 20 participating schools for the upcoming spring.

Reigning champion Mount Notre Dame returns to Paycor to defend its title after winning the inaugural championship last May, as does runner-up Mercy McAuley.

Over 500 athletes and coaches are expected at the kickoff jamboree on Saturday, March 8, at Paycor Stadium. Along with the increase in numbers, Bengals Girls Flag Football will also have Secret sponsoring it this season.

P&G has committed to supporting multiple Bengals community initiatives including Bengals Girls Flag Football which helps increase access to the sport of football to more women, especially high school female student-athletes, through the fast-growing and fun sport of flag football. Secret was launched as the first female deodorant in 1956, so it's fitting that they are the first brand sponsoring girls high school flag football in Cincinnati.

"I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of the MND flag football team last spring. Being involved in something completely new was such an exciting experience, and I can't wait to see how much flag football continues to grow in the Cincinnati area," Mount Notre Dame senior Maria Shade said.

In partnership with USA Football, the Jamboree will begin at 11:30 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m. The event will feature a skills clinic led by USA Football staff, team scrimmages and special activities to celebrate International Women's Day, also on March 8. USA Football will also lead a virtual coaches' clinic on March 5 at 8 p.m. to give new flag coaches a better understanding of rules, drills, etc. While registration is not open to the public, athletic directors interested in attending to learn more about the sport can email youthfootball@bengals.nfl.net.

Each school participating receives a stipend, Nike uniform sets, a USA Flag Football equipment kit, invitations to girls flag events leading up to the spring season and a chance to play in the spring championship tournament.

"It's beyond rewarding to be able to give hundreds of girls access to football," said Bengals Director of Strategy and Engagement Elizabeth Blackburn during the Jamboree last season. "I know and see how much playing football can give back to those who play it. It's the ultimate team sport. The Bengals are so proud and grateful to be able to serve as a platform to get more girls into the game of football."

The national growth of Girls' Flag Football has been a priority for the NFL. The league released a special spot during Super Bowl LIX for promotion of "NFL Flag 50", featuring Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, Browns DE Myles Garrett, NFL legends Pat McAfee and Marshawn Lynch and various female flag players. The two-minute spot aired immediately following the Apple Music Halftime Show.

"Girls' flag football is growing at an unprecedented rate, and we're using our biggest platform and family-viewing moment of the year not just to celebrate the growth of flag, but to drive positive change when it comes to creating accessible participation pathways for girls in football," NFL chief marketing officer Tim Ellis said in a release.

According to data collected by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), 50% of girls that play flag football were not previously involved in another high school sport. Fourteen states have flag football as a fully sanctioned sport, meaning it is recognized as a high school varsity sport.

Many other states, including Ohio, are running pilot programs, or test seasons in select schools to evaluate full adoption as a sanctioned sport. Participation in girls' high school flag football grew by over 100% last year, according to the NFHS. The Bengals have collaborated with the Cleveland Browns, NFL Flag and the OHSAA to attempt to get girls flag sanctioned as a varsity sport.

With flag football set to appear in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the spotlight on the sport has never been brighter. The Bengals have jumped at the opportunity to grow the game.

"This is such a great, growing sport, and the Bengals are doing such an awesome job of empowering all the women in this community to make this such a great sport, not only in Cincinnati, but nationally. Not only nationally, but internationally," head coach Zac Taylor said at last year's Jamboree.

Those interested in creating a team at their school should contact their principal and athletic director to get approval to form a school-sanctioned club sport, recruit a head coach, form a team (10-15 athletes recommended) and confirm their participation for the upcoming season. School administrators can contact Cincinnati Bengals to learn more or confirm participation by emailing youthfootball@bengals.nfl.net.

As for the upcoming season, Shade is eager to get back on the field with her teammates as they try to defend their title against a new field of opponents.

"I had so much fun learning the sport alongside my teammates and building strong relationships with them," Shade said. "Our dedication to becoming the best versions of ourselves—both on and off the field—played a huge role in our success throughout the season and in the end-of-year tournament [last season]. As a senior this year, I'm beyond excited to keep improving and striving for even greater success with my team."