Manhattan parks and recreation is bringing flag football to the community.
The department announced the launch of a recreational girls’ flag football league for high school aged participants on Wednesday, becoming an NFL Flag league just months after the Kansas State High School Activities Association officially sanctioned the sport beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
The league comes at a time when interest in girls’ flag football continues to grow across Kansas. KSHSAA approved the sport in April, making Kansas the 18th state to sanction girls’ flag football as a varsity high school activity.
Wamego High School will sport a varsity team this fall. The school is holding an informational meeting about the Red Raiders’ inaugural season on July 19.
Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 athletics director Mike Marsh previously told The Mercury the district has no plans to add girls’ flag football for the upcoming season.
KSHSAA officials are expected to release additional details on classifications, scheduling and postseason format in the coming months, leaving the door open for future participation by schools across the state.
“I think it is great the sport of football is growing and expanding,” Manhattan High head football coach Joe Schartz previously told The Mercury. “It’s a great sport. Anytime we can provide an opportunity for our students to be active and compete is a positive for our schools and community.”
While Manhattan High will not field a girls’ flag football team this fall, the new Parks and Recreation league gives local athletes an opportunity to learn and compete in the sport as participation continues to expand statewide.