Girls at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School will have a new sport to play this spring.
The New Kensington-Arnold School Board on Tuesday unanimously approved adding a flag football program.
“We’ve had so many girls that have wanted it for so long,” board President Jane Graham said. “It is definitely something I would love to be a part of helping grow.”
Girls’ flag football became an official PIAA sport this school year. Valley will play an independent schedule the first two years, said Athletic Director Joe Skura.
“The board was very supportive of getting it started at Valley,” Skura said. “Since it’s brand new under the PIAA sanctions, I thought it would be great to get in this year at a modified level so we can see how things go and what the program will look like, and the interest, at Valley.
“(Superintendent Christopher) Sefcheck and the board have been agreeable to that as well, and there is excitement from folks to get it going.”
Skura said there are at least 25 girls interested in flag football.
Girls’ spring sports at Valley include softball, and track and field.
According to the PIAA, there are 151 schools statewide that are competing in flag football this spring. Forty-four of them are in the WPIAL, eight are in the Pittsburgh City League.
In the Alle-Kiski Valley, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Plum, Fox Chapel and Kiski Area field teams, according to the PIAA.
Burrell started its team last year. Athletic Director Brian Ferra said about a dozen girls were on the team.
“It was a lot of teaching, and a lot of learning,” Ferra said. “Some of the girls had never played a sport before, and some were playing other sports in the spring.
“Overall, it was a positive experience.”
Ferra hopes Burrell’s program will continue to grow. He said there were middle school girls interested in flag football, as well.
Valley board member Bob Pallone indicated that the Willie Thrower Foundation, a New Kensington-based nonprofit that recognizes area high school football athletes, plans to assist with the Valley flag football program through things like a quarterback camp.
Board member Sarah Yurga — who played flag football at St. Vincent College from 1991 to 1995 — said she looks forward to Valley having a flag football team.
Her daughter Lucy, an eighth grader, plans to join the team when she is a freshman.
“She’s really excited about the flag football program,” Yurga said.
