In this episode of the She Plays Flag podcast, I sit down with Jay Ross, head coach of the Madison High School Girls Flag Football Program in Northeast Ohio. Jay discusses how he built the program from the ground up, starting with just a handful of interested girls recruited through a Snapchat message. The conversation covers the practical and personal aspects of starting and running a girls' flag football team, including fundraising, maintaining fun while increasing competitiveness, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the burgeoning flag football ecosystem. The episode also touches on the importance of female coaches, the impact of social media, and the potential for girls to play at the collegiate level as the sport grows.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:24 Guest Introduction: Jay Ross

02:20 Jay Ross's Journey into Flag Football

03:35 Starting the Madison High School Girls Flag Football Program

07:26 Challenges and Growth of the Program

10:39 Support and Resources from the Cleveland Browns

20:57 Balancing Flag Football with Other Sports

26:11 The Future of Girls Flag Football

28:12 Introduction to the Exciting World of Girls Flag Football

28:36 Building Opportunities for Girls in Flag Football

29:07 Training and Showcases: Preparing for the Season

30:35 Navigating the Growing Ecosystem of Girls Flag Football

32:10 Balancing Genuine Opportunities and Financial Motives

34:03 Creating a Supportive Community for Girls Flag Football

35:32 The Role of Coaches in Girls Flag Football

37:14 Encouraging Girls to Play and Grow in Flag Football

38:39 The Importance of Social Media and Community Engagement

40:48 Challenges and Innovations in Coaching Girls Flag Football

51:59 Advice for Parents and Coaches New to Girls Flag Football

55:57 Conclusion and Ways to Follow the Madison Girls Flag Football Program