Girls flag football is coming to Central in fall 2025, a year after the IHSA first introduced the sport.
The team is hosting three clinics to gauge interest for the sport. The first clinic was held on Saturday, Sept. 7.“If we made the decision to [start the sport this year], we would have been in a position in May where we had to hire a coach, establish a summer camp [and] create a budget to purchase equipment,” Athletic Director Jeff Plackett said, “It would not have been a good experience for the kids.”
Several schools in the area have started flag football programs for the fall 2024 athletic season, including Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South and Lyons Township, according to the IHSA.
“We are excited to offer girls at Naperville Central a chance to participate in flag football,” clinic coach Darrell Green said. “This is an exciting opportunity to create a competitive program that the school community can support.”
Forty-five Central girls attended the clinic on Sept. 7.
“The overall vibe [of the clinic] was very supportive since no one has ever done this before and it’s new to us all,” sophomore Lauren Moderi said. “All of the girls were cheering each other on and were supportive in our drills and our practice scrimmage.”
Moderi already participates in both track and basketball. She plans to compete in flag football next year.
“I am personally super hyped for flag football because it is another opportunity for girls to be involved,” Moderi said. “It’s also pretty cool to say we are all a part of the first season of this new sport at our school.”
Green and Kristen Anderson will be focusing on recruiting talented athletes and developing a solid foundation for the team.
“We’re looking for dedicated players who are eager to learn and grow in the sport,” Anderson said. “Our goal is to create a supportive and competitive environment where all players can improve.”
Green is excited for the future of the program.
“This team will sustain itself because one thing about young ladies is that they’re very competitive [and] athletic,” Green said. “To find another avenue for them to express their athleticism and their team camaraderie is going to be great.”
Correction: an earlier version of this story said that girls flag football starts in fall 2025, not spring.