A RESOLUTION urging the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) to recognize girls flag football as an official sport for its member schools.
SR81 is a Senate resolution urging the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) to recognize and sanction girls flag football as an official sport for member schools. The resolution cites the sport’s growing popularity, its lower-collision nature compared with tackle football, and the increasing number of girls aging out of youth leagues and seeking high school opportunities. It also points to national momentum, noting that many states have already sanctioned girls flag football and that Kentucky currently has an unsanctioned pilot program.
The resolution highlights Kentucky-specific growth in the sport, including the Kentucky Girls High School Flag Football Association’s expansion from 12 teams to 24 teams in its second year and the success of the 2025 championship. It also references a KHSAA survey in which 88 member schools said they would field a team if the sport were sponsored by KHSAA, framing the measure as part of the association’s broader history of expanding athletic opportunities for young women. The Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote, indicating broad support.
Because SR81 is a resolution rather than a statutory bill, it does not directly change Kentucky law. Instead, it expresses the Senate’s encouragement that KHSAA consider adding girls flag football as an official interscholastic sport. Any practical impact would depend on KHSAA’s independent decision to sanction the sport, which could affect school athletic programs, student-athletes, coaches, and competition structures statewide.
The general sentiment around the resolution appears strongly favorable and promotional. The bill text emphasizes safety, opportunity, participation growth, and alignment with national trends, and the voice-vote adoption suggests little visible opposition. No committee transcripts or recorded floor debate were provided, so there is no evidence of significant controversy in the available materials.
Notable points of contention are minimal in the record provided, but any potential debate would likely center on whether KHSAA should formally sponsor a new girls sport, including questions about resources, scheduling, competitive equity, and program readiness at member schools. The resolution itself addresses those concerns indirectly by citing strong school interest and existing participation growth.
SR81 does not amend Kentucky statutes or create a binding legal requirement; it is a nonbinding Senate resolution directed to KHSAA. Its practical effect is to formally urge the association to sanction girls flag football, which could lead to statewide recognition, school-level team formation, and expanded interscholastic athletic opportunities for female students if KHSAA acts on the recommendation. The resolution may also influence future administrative decisions and athletic policy discussions within Kentucky high school sports.
The sentiment surrounding SR81 is positive and supportive. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, suggesting broad agreement in the Senate. The bill text frames girls flag football as a growing, safer, and increasingly popular opportunity for young women, and it emphasizes existing pilot participation and school interest as reasons for formal recognition. No opposing viewpoints are reflected in the provided record.
There is little explicit contention in the available materials. The main implicit policy question is whether KHSAA should add and sanction a new girls sport, which could raise concerns about funding, staffing, scheduling, and competitive balance for member schools. However, the resolution’s references to rapid participation growth, a successful Kentucky pilot association, and a survey showing strong school interest suggest that supporters view the sport as ready for official recognition, and no recorded opposition appears in the provided history.