Girls Hit the Gridiron
For decades, the Center Grove Bantam Football League has introduced young athletes to the game of football, along with teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship. Now, the league is building on that tradition with an exciting opportunity designed especially for girls: a girls flag football league, set to launch in mid-July!
CGBFL President Andy Canada says the board has been considering this addition for about two years.
“With the growth we’re seeing at the high school level and in our state, it felt like the right moment to offer more opportunities locally. There’s a lot of momentum,” Canada says.
Girls flag football is experiencing rapid growth across the country, including Indiana, with the help of the Indianapolis Colts. As of 2025, 17 states have sanctioned high school programs, and the number is growing — not to mention the upcoming debut of the sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The league has offered coed flag football for its youngest players for many years, but the new league will provide a dedicated space for girls to play and compete. Open to girls in kindergarten through eighth grade, the program will follow USA Football guidelines and feature a five-on-five format.
“We know the demand is out there,” league leaders say. “We’re excited to give girls who love football a new avenue to play the game in a fun, safe environment.”
In A League Of Its Own
CGBFL’s highly respected youth football program has been welcoming kids from kindergarten through sixth grade in football and cheerleading since 1969 — teaching the life lessons of teamwork, confidence, resilience and respect along the way. That may be why the league has grown exponentially in scope and participation over time. Offering coed flag football for K-1 students, tackle football for grades 2-6 and cheerleading for K-6, the league impacts the lives of hundreds of kids each year.
The CGBFL owns its complex on State Road 144, where the kids’ biggest fans pack the house to cheer, visit and enjoy a contagious community spirit. The league has been built on a strong foundation of community support and volunteer leadership that helps make each season possible. That infrastructure will ensure that the girls flag league will be well-supported and provide a safe and fun environment. A dedicated flag football director has also been appointed to oversee the girls league.
Aaron Halterman, board member and a former Center Grove High School Trojans football standout who went on to play at Indiana University and in the NFL, will take charge as director of the new program. Beyond his lifelong passion for football, he has a more compelling reason to be involved; his daughter will be playing!
A Mid-July Launch
As the season launch approaches, organizers will be reaching out to introduce the girls flag football program to families and the community within elementary and middle schools and through print and social media. There will also be an opportunity for girls to come out and try the sport before the season begins.
League registration for all CGBFL programs will open in April and run through late June. The girls flag league will be open to any girls within the age range, regardless of which school they attend. The season will coincide with the tackle football season, starting in mid-July and running through September.
While the focus is on football, Canada insists the biggest rewards come from the powerful team experience. Through practices and games, kids learn to trust their teammates, face challenges, learn to compete and develop confidence.
“Anytime you can create more opportunities for kids to play team sports, get outside and be active, that’s a good thing,” Canada says. “We want girls to have the same chance as boys to experience the game, the teamwork and the fun. If we can do that, we know the program will succeed.”
Flag football is surging in popularity — and now girls have the opportunity to get in the game with Center Grove Bantam Football!
For more information on Center Grove girls flag football, contact Aaron Halterman at VP@cgbfl.org. Register for all programs at CGBFL.org.
