(February 6, 2025) More female students in the Rochester City School District will soon have the opportunity to play flag football. Thanks to a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Buffalo Bills Foundation, East Lower School and Loretta Johnson Middle School will launch girl's flag football teams in April.
Each new team will receive a $3,000 grant for a flag football equipment package, including belts and footballs. Additionally, players and coaches will participate in training events at the Buffalo Bills facilities.
“Expanding girl’s flag football to even more schools is an incredible step forward for female athletes in the RCSD,” said Camaron Johnson, Executive Director for Health, Physical Education, and Athletics. “We are grateful for the support of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and the Buffalo Bills Foundation, which makes it possible for more students to get on the field, build their skills, and experience the excitement of the game. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes.”
The two new teams will compete in 12 to 14 games this spring, with the season running through June. Girl’s flag football was introduced in the RCSD as a pilot program in spring 2022 through a similar grant. Since then, the RCSD has added girl’s teams at East Upper School, the former Franklin High School, Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School Commencement Academy, and Northwest Junior High School at Douglass. Modified teams are also being added this year at new middle schools in the District including Andrew Langston Middle School, Dr. Freddie Thomas Middle School, and Thurgood Marshall Middle School.
Practices for the new teams will begin in the second week of April, with games starting later that month.
