LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Even the tiniest competitors take the floor during flag football classes at the YMCA in Pittston.
"We have kids that are maybe on the shyer side, but then they come in here and they're screaming they're making friends," explains Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA Youth Sport and Family Coordinator, Abrianna Killino.
But as these girls grow, their time on the field may have been uncertain, until now. The PIAA has officially sanctioned girls flag football as a sport across the state of Pennsylvania.
"Being a little girl and seeing that, it's like 'oh I could do that and there are opportunities for me'," said Killino.
Over the past several years, girls have been no stranger to the flag football field with Diamond City Sports in Wilkes-Barre.
"Every year we've had several girls. A lot of them tend to be our better players," said Diamond City Sports President, Kevin Sickle.
The group has been around since 2004, but they have been officially providing a number of inter mural sports to kids in Luzerne County, since 2019.
"Sports provides an outlet for our kids to get out of problems that might occur in the neighborhood- or unfortunately, some of them are in a rough family situation, it allows them to get out and escape that for a little bit and just be a kid," he added.
This new PIAA ruling comes after girls wrestling was sanctioned last year. It's trend Diamond City Sports wants to see continue.
"It's great to give the opportunities to the girls and say, 'hey this is your opportunity to shine' your time to showcase the skills that you have," added Sickle.
The PIAA says the official changes to the sports calendar won't begin until the 2025-26 school year.