Exciting Initiatives for High School Football in Atlanta: Empowering Girls and Enhancing Safety!

Exciting News for High School Football in Atlanta!

Atlanta, we’ve got some fantastic news for high school football enthusiasts across the state! In collaboration with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Atlanta Falcons are stepping up their game to support high school football in Georgia with some brand-new initiatives that are sure to have a big impact.

Funding Opportunities for Girls Flag Football

Starting in 2025, every high school in Georgia will have the chance to apply for a grant to either launch a new girls flag football program or bolster an existing one. Isn’t that exciting? This initiative comes as part of the Falcons’ ongoing efforts to promote girls’ participation in sports, aiming to create more opportunities for young women to play the game they love. Over the past six years, the Falcons have been champions for girls flag football, starting with a pilot program launched in 2018 for just 19 high schools in Gwinnett County. Fast forward to this fall, and we saw over 7,000 girls participating in flag football across more than 270 high schools in Georgia!

Improving Safety with Guardian Caps

But that’s not all! The Falcons are also focusing on the safety of all high school tackle football players. Through a partnership with the NFL Foundation, tackle football programs across Georgia will have the opportunity to receive up to 50 Guardian Caps per school. For those who might not be familiar, these caps are soft shell helmet covers designed to reduce impacts during practice, helping to enhance player safety. Since their launch in 2010, they’ve been making waves in tackling safety, and currently, only about 13 percent of Georgia high school football teams are using them. This initiative will likely help increase that number significantly!

Voices from the Community

Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles couldn’t be more thrilled about these developments. He said, “We are honored to continue to play a role in fueling the growth of high school football throughout our state for young men and women.” He highlighted the profound impact that football has on communities and stressed the commitment of both the Falcons and the Blank Family Foundation to provide a “safer, strong football experience” for high school athletes.

The Executive Director of the Georgia High School Association, Tim Scott, also expressed gratitude for the partnership, stating, “The success and growth of Flag Football in the Georgia High School Association would not be possible without the support we receive from these outstanding organizations.” He believes these initiatives will enhance the experience for student-athletes across the state.

Looking Ahead

Mark your calendars! Starting January 6, 2025, interest forms for grant applications will be distributed to Georgia high schools. This is an incredible opportunity for schools to get involved and provide an engaging and safe football experience for their students. With community and organizational support like this, who wouldn’t be excited about the future of football in Georgia?

About the Foundations

For a little background, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has been helping transform lives and communities since 1995, with over $1.3 billion granted to various causes. They’ve been particularly active in areas like youth development and mental health, making them a crucial partner in this endeavor.

As for the NFL Foundation, it aims to improve the lives of those involved with the game by focusing on health, safety, and wellness—not just for athletes, but also for the communities that support them.

Final Thoughts

It’s amazing to see the Atlanta Falcons leading the way in creating a vibrant and safe environment for young athletes in Georgia. With these new initiatives, not only do we get to see more girls participating in football, but we’re also prioritizing the health and safety of all players. We can’t wait to see how this all unfolds!